BIMCO

Classification of seed cake

At DSC 9, BIMCO made a submission which requested the sub-committee to clarify the
definition of the seed cake entry, UN 1386 (b) in the BC Code, as well as the certificate
requirements pertaining to the non-hazardous seed cake entry. For easy reference, the
definition of seed cake entry UN 1386 (b) is appended below:

SEED CAKE, containing vegetable oil UN 1386
(b) solvent extraction and expelled seeds, containing not more than 10% of oil and when the
amount of moisture is higher than 10%, not more than 20% of oil and moisture combined

The above two issues which remain outstanding were referred at this session to the working
group tasked to look into the BC Code Amendments and its mandatory application.

BIMCO members have had problems interpreting the above definition. Hence, at this working
group, BIMCO requested that a clear interpretation of the definition, given in the form of an
explanatory note, be inserted into this schedule. BIMCO believes that this will greatly aid
users of the Code in determining whether the cargo in question to be carried falls under this
schedule. This was agreed by the working group and was included in the correspondence
groups terms of reference for the next DSC session (DSC 12). BIMCO will accordingly
forward an appropriate explanatory note to the correspondence group for consideration and
approval at DSC 12.

This explanatory note should to a certain extent clarify that not only does seed cake UN 1386
(b) entry cover seed cakes (solvent extractions and expelled seeds) containing not more than
10% oil and when the amount of moisture is more than 10%, the combined oil and moisture
contents should not be more than 20%, it also includes seed cakes that contain not more that
10% moisture.

As for the seed cake non-hazardous entry, the working group was of the view that the
certificate requirement which is connected to the exemptions in seed cakes UN 1386(b) and
UN 2217 was unclear and would need to be further examined by the correspondence group in
their terms of reference for DSC 12.

It should also be noted that as a result of the above BIMCO submission, Australias proposal
to include fuzzy cotton seed as a BC Code entry in its own right was considered by the
working group. Pending some minor amendments including a change of name to Linted
Cotton Seed, the entry would probably be incorporated in the BC Code amendments for
approval at DSC 12.

Source: BIMCO