Following this approval, the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC)
will consider the Code and the draft amendments for adoption at its next session,
in May 2015. Once adopted, the Polar Code and MARPOL amendments could enter into force on 1 January 2017.

The draft Polar Code covers the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in waters surrounding the two poles.

In May 2014, IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), approved the Introduction and part I (safety provisions) of the Polar Code, along with a draft new chapter XIV
of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) on “Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters”.
The MSC will consider the adoption of the Polar Code and SOLAS amendments at
its next session (MSC 94, 17 to 21 November). Once adopted, it is expected that
the SOLAS amendments making the Polar Code mandatory would enter into force
on 1 January 2017.

IMO Press Briefing:
http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/32-mepc-polar.aspx#.VEdUj8dMxA9