Commercial accountability
ICDA’s founders intend to establish a privately owned limited company responsible for its business strategy, services and financial sustainability.
GOVERNANCE & INDEPENDENCE
Commercially sustainable.
Technically impartial.
ICDA is being established as a privately owned business providing professional services to the commercial diving industry. Our ambition is to deliver meaningful commercial and professional value while protecting the integrity of technical standards and assurance decisions.
GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK IN DEVELOPMENT
OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLE
A viable business with independent technical judgement.
ICDA is intended to generate sustainable income by delivering services that industry participants choose because they find them useful. Commercial ownership and technical impartiality serve different purposes and must be managed accordingly.
Technical integrity
Proposed standards and assessment criteria should be developed through evidence-led consultation and appropriate independent technical review, not dictated by sales objectives.
Value for industry
Contractors, individuals and clients should receive practical, clearly scoped services that support professional development, informed decisions and safer operations.
TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT
Independent input.
Transparent processes.
We intend to develop technical governance arrangements that can challenge and improve our work.
Proposals include participation from suitably experienced diving professionals and other relevant stakeholders in reviewing standards, guidance and assessment methodologies.
Committee composition, appointment arrangements, terms of reference and decision-making authority remain subject to development. No independent technical committee is represented as formally constituted at this stage.
PROPOSED SAFEGUARDS
Integrity must be demonstrable.
We are developing a governance framework intended to provide safeguards throughout standards development, contractor assurance and professional competence assessment.
Conflicts of interest
Declare, assess and appropriately manage financial, professional and personal interests that could influence technical work.
Evidence-based decisions
Use documented criteria, appropriate evidence and competent reviewers, with clear records of technical conclusions.
Fairness and appeals
Provide proportionate opportunities to raise concerns, challenge decisions and seek review when future services are operational.
Separation of roles
Design assessment and recognition processes so commercial relationships do not determine technical outcomes.
HONEST CLAIMS
Clear about what
ICDA is — and is not.
Independent industry services do not replace legal duties or statutory oversight.
ICDA is not a regulator, government agency or trade union. It does not currently hold UKAS accreditation, provide regulatory approval or operate an established contractor certification or supervisor certification scheme.
Future membership, assessment or recognition would not remove the responsibilities of diving contractors, clients, supervisors or other dutyholders under applicable law.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE FRAMEWORK
Credibility is built with industry.
We welcome constructive input from diving personnel, contractors, clients and technical specialists as ICDA develops its governance and assurance arrangements.