How was the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) founded, and who are its member countries?
IACS was formally established at the 1968 Oslo Conference of Major Classification Societies. IACS's goals are to promote the improvement of maritime safety standards, collaborate with relevant international organizations and maritime organizations, and maintain close cooperation with the global maritime industry.
Currently, IACS has 11 full members, including China Classification Society (CCS), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bureau Veritas (BV), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Korean Register of Shipping (KR), Lloyd's Register (LR), Germanischer Lloyd (GR), Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK), Polish Register of Shipping (PRS), and Registrar Italiana (RINA), as well as two associate members.