The Amendment cycle of the IMDG Code
 Every two years IMO publishes a new Amendment to the IMDG Code, incorporating changes approved by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC). This chart shows the sequence of these Amendments. The general principle is:
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 | Each Amendment is valid for two years | | |
| There are alternating years for implementation | | |
| In January of the yellow years, a new Amendment is published and can be used immediately, subject to the timing of National Competent Authority adoption | | |
| Also, during the yellow years, the preceding Amendment can also be used, so it's an overlap period | | |
| In the green years, only the current Amendment can be used |
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