About IMAS

The IMAS

The International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) framework is a set of standards and guidelines developed by the IMAS Review Board, with representatives from across the mine action sector, and endorsed by the United Nations. It provides a unified approach to ensure that mine action programmes are conducted safely and effectively, covering activities such as survey, land release, risk education and victim assistance.

The framework addresses all key aspects of mine action, including operational procedures, quality management, training and competencies, safety and risk management, and information management.

IMAS are used worldwide by governments of explosive ordnance-affected countries, the United Nations, donors, non-governmental organisations and commercial mine action companies. The standards are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the latest best practice in mine action.

Background

International standards for humanitarian demining were first proposed at an international technical conference in Denmark in July 1996, where working groups recommended common standards for all aspects of demining.

Later that year, a UN-led working group developed these principles further, leading to the publication of the first edition of the International Standards for Humanitarian Mine Clearance Operations by the UN Mine Action Service in March 1997.

In October 2001, the standards were revised and expanded, becoming the first edition of the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS). Their scope was broadened to cover all components of mine action and to reflect changes in operational procedures, practices and norms.

The framework supports the practical implementation of key disarmament conventions, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). It is used by affected countries as the foundation for national standards and by donors to ensure that their contributions deliver effective humanitarian benefit.

The United Nations has an overall responsibility for enabling and promoting effective management of mine action programmes, including the development and maintenance of standards. UNMAS is the UN office responsible for IMAS, while the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining serves as Secretariat to both the IMAS Steering Group and IMAS Review Board.

The IMAS Framework

The IMAS framework consists of three types of documents:

1. International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)

2. Technical Notes for Mine Action (TNMA)

3. Test and Evaluation Protocols (T&EP)

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1. International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)

IMAS aim to improve safety, efficiency and effectiveness in mine action by promoting a consistent approach across all operations. They provide guidance, establish principles and, in some cases, define international requirements and specifications.

As a frame of reference, IMAS:

• help programme sponsors and managers demonstrate agreed levels of safety and effectiveness;

• offer a common language and data-handling rules that enable accurate and timely information exchange;

• support national mine action authorities (NMAAs) in developing national standards;

• provide a contractual basis for agreements between donors and implementing organisations.

• use specific terminology to indicate compliance levels:

  • shall = mandatory requirements;

  • should = preferred methods or specifications;

  • may = possible methods or options.

Under specific circumstances, it may be necessary and appropriate for the UN or another body to assume some or all of the responsibilities of an NMAA and fulfil some or all of its functions. In such cases, IMAS serve as de facto national standards until local standards are adopted.

IMAS do not prescribe how requirements must be implemented in the field, and they do not replace national mine action standards.

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2. Technical Notes for Mine Action (TNMA)

TNMAs are advisory documents that complement IMAS. They provide principles, advice and technical information on specific topics, often clarifying the interpretation of IMAS.

Key features:

• aim to improve safety and efficiency by sharing technical guidance;

• encourage free exchange of information to benefit mine action programmes globally.

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3. Test and Evaluation Protocols (T&EP)

T&EPs are technical documents that support IMAS by defining standard methods for testing and evaluating mine action equipment and procedures. They originated as Workshop Agreements developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

• In 2001, CEN Working Group 126 created agreements for areas not yet covered by IMAS, such as testing metal detectors, machines and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• In 2011, ownership of these agreements was transferred to UNMAS and the GICHD. They were updated and republished as T&EP, with references to their original names.

• Relevant IMAS include T&EP as normative references, giving them authority within the IMAS system.