International Spill Control Organisation (ISCO)

About ISCO

The International Spill Control Organisation – was incorporated in London in 1984 as a non-profit-making organisation, dedicated to improving worldwide preparedness for response to oil and chemical spills. The founding members of ISCO were the Spill Control Association of America (SCAA), the British Oil Spill Control Association (BOSCA) and the Spill Control Association of France (SYCOPOL). Now, membership of ISCO has been broadened and is open to all professionals, companies and organisations involved in Spill Control and related disciplines. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), European Community (EC) and other organisations involved in promoting legislation and other measures to improve the world’s capability to respond effectively to oil and chemical spills have the benefit of inputs from national governments, petroleum industry organisations and environmental groups. There is a vast resource of knowledge and experience amongst spill response professionals – dedicated men and women in spill control manufacturing, response companies, co-operatives, consultancies, universities, research and training establishments. The implementation of global measures to counter pollution depends to a high degree on these professionals and their organisations but, without focus, they have no voice. IMO and other relevant world organisations cannot communicate directly with the oil spill control industry as a whole and cannot easily access the expertise therein. The International Spill Control Organisation was established to correct this situation, and to enhance the value of the already substantial contribution made by professionals to the world effort to combat pollution. New initiatives in ISCO are of practical benefit to its members, helping them to to build incident response capacity in response to new challenges, to enhance competence, and to keep abreast of new technologies, new legislation and other matters of mutual interest.