Of all the international conventions dealing with maritime safety, the most important is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, better known as SOLAS, which covers a wide range of measures designed to improve the safety of shipping. 
The Convention is also one of the oldest of its kind: the first version was adopted in 1914 following the sinking of the Titanic with the loss of more than 1,500 lives. Since then there have been four more versions of SOLAS. The present version was adopted in 1974 and entered into force in 1980.
In order to provide an easy reference to all SOLAS requirements applicable from 1 January 2020, this edition presents a consolidated text of the Convention, its Protocols of 1978 and 1988 and all amendments in effect from that date. Additionally, this edition includes Unified Interpretations to SOLAS regulations, which were adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee.
As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency. Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis.&nbsp;IMO is the forum at which this process takes place. &nbsp;
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SOLAS Consolidated Edition - (1st January 2020) PDF

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