A Document of Compliance issued by the Flag State (or RO on behalf of the Flag State) is valid for a maximum of 5 years and certifies:
• that the construction and equipment of the ship was found to comply with the provisions of regulation II-2/54 of SOLAS 74, as amended, and

• that the ship is suitable for the carriage of those classes of dangerous goods as specified in the appended Schedules to the certificate, subject to any provisions of the IMDG Code and the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) for the individual substances also being complied with.

Schedule 1 of a Document of Compliance contains a small plan of the ship’s stowage spaces and a table showing the Classes of dangerous goods suitable for stowage in each category of space. Schedule 2 lists the special requirements, as required by the Fire Protection Regulations in force when the certificate was issued, for the ship to carry dangerous goods.