Industry consultation
Engaging working divers, supervisors, contractors, clients and relevant specialists so guidance reflects real operational conditions and different perspectives.
STANDARDS & GUIDANCE
Clear expectations.
Stronger practice.
ICDA is developing practical standards and guidance intended to help the inshore commercial diving industry demonstrate competence, improve consistency and manage risk.
STANDARDS PROGRAMME IN DEVELOPMENT
OUR APPROACH
Useful on site.
Credible on paper.
A standard should help people make better decisions, not simply create more paperwork.
ICDA’s proposed approach places practical application, evidence and proportionate expectations at the centre of standards development. We aim to support contractors, divers, supervisors and clients with clearer benchmarks for professional practice.
ICDA guidance would complement — never replace — applicable legislation, approved codes of practice, contractual duties or regulatory requirements.
HOW STANDARDS WILL BE DEVELOPED
Evidence-led. Independently reviewed.
The following is our intended development approach. Formal governance and approval arrangements remain subject to agreement.
Technical scrutiny
Using appropriately competent contributors and independent review arrangements, with declared conflicts of interest and documented technical decisions.
Controlled publication
Clearly identifying scope, document status, supporting evidence, version, approval and review arrangements before any formal standard or guidance is issued.
PRACTICAL VALUE
Supporting the entire diving project.
Good guidance should help people understand what capable, well-controlled operations look like.
For contractors, clearer expectations may help demonstrate capability and support tender submissions. For supervisors and divers, guidance can support consistent professional decisions. For clients, it can provide a more informed basis for assessing diving services.
Any future ICDA standard or guidance document will be identified by its specific scope and status. No ICDA standard is currently presented as formally approved, accredited or internationally recognised.
PROPOSED STANDARD STRUCTURE
A framework for inshore commercial diving.
The subjects below are an initial working outline for consultation, not approved technical clauses. Their scope, order, terminology and requirements will be determined through competent technical review.
Development status: concept / technical scopingNo published ICDA technical standard, audit checklist or certification requirements are currently in force.
Governance & responsibilities
Duty holders, contractor management, documented arrangements and accountability.
People & competence
Roles, qualifications, supervision, experience, fitness and continuing competence.
Planning & risk
Site-specific planning, hazard assessment, operational controls and interfaces.
Equipment & systems
Selection, inspection, maintenance, records and suitability for intended use.
Operational delivery
Diving procedures, communications, team arrangements and worksite control.
Emergency readiness
Emergency planning, rescue arrangements, drills and incident response.
Records & learning
Operational records, reporting, corrective action and continual improvement.
Evidence & assurance
Documented conformance evidence, contractor review and independent assessment principles.
These headings are illustrative development topics. They do not establish legal duties, prescribe operational techniques or imply compliance with any existing regulation.
DOCUMENT CONTROL
Proposed publication register.
Future standards and guidance will be identifiable by document reference, edition, approval status and review date. No draft documents are currently offered as approved guidance.
| Document family | Intended purpose | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Core ICDA Standard | Overarching scope, definitions and technical requirements | Concept |
| Technical guidance notes | Supporting interpretation and good-practice guidance | Proposed |
| Contractor evidence framework | Evidence mapping against approved criteria | Proposed |
| Client assurance framework | Support proportionate contractor assessment and selection | Proposed |
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT
Designed for scrutiny.
Not premature endorsement.
Technical content will require specialist review before any requirements can be issued.
Proposed development steps include establishing document scope, mapping applicable legislation and existing standards, drafting technical clauses, consulting relevant stakeholders, resolving comments, approving controlled editions and setting review intervals.
Specialist technical input and the future independent committee’s review will be essential to determining the content and governance of the standard. ICDA does not claim that any draft currently carries regulatory approval or industry-wide recognition.
HELP SHAPE THE APPROACH
Technical input matters.
We welcome expressions of interest from diving professionals and industry stakeholders who may wish to contribute to future consultation and review.
Explore the context
See how the proposed ICDA inshore standard compares with selected industry frameworks.
View draft standards comparison →