Bureau Veritas

"Under pressure from lobbying groups campaigning against Iran's nuclear program, some specialized companies that supply the safety certificates required for ships to dock at foreign ports are terminating their dealings with Iran... One by one over the last few months, European classification societies such as Norway's Det Norske Veritas, the U.K.'s Lloyd's Register and France's Bureau Veritas have terminated contracts to survey Iranian ships, including ships for the country's largest tanker company, NITC." (Wall Street Journal, "Iran's Oil Ships Sail Into Troubled Waters," 6/24/12) (http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/company/det-norske-veritas) (http://professional.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304898704577482350310816514.html?mod=googlenews_wsj&mg=reno64-wsj)

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"Bureau Veritas to Offer Automotive Services in Iran." (9/9/2017) (https://financialtribune.com/articles/auto/71984/bureau-veritas-to-offer-automotive-services-in-iran)

Bureau Veritas has responsibly withdrawn the class for a total of seven vessels that UANI has brought to their attention. In one reply, Bureau Veritas wrote, “Further to a thorough due diligence process of the ownership and activity of these vessels, it was decided, in line with our procedures, to terminate contracts binding us to these vessels even in the absence of any OFAC listing.” (https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/blog/role-of-classification-societies-stopping-maritime-malpractice)

Stated on its company website: “Established in Iran since 1976, Bureau Veritas is providing services aiming at reducing risks and improving performance. With more than 150 experts in a variety of disciplines, Bureau Veritas Iran offers an extensive range of technical services and innovative solutions delivered to our Clients on a day-to-day with our global expertise and the necessary domestic knowledge. Our role is to help you manage your Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental challenges and provide an independent confirmation of compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Bureau Veritas Iran is part of our global network and benefits from the direct support of more than 3,000 experts present in the Middle East region.” (http://www.bureauveritas.com/home/worldwide-locations/middle_east/iran/)

"However, other firms — notably Lloyd’s Register, Bureau Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd — continue to provide services to Iranian and other vessels working in Iranian ports or waters." (Washington Post, "Congress sees shipping-certification firms as tool to tighten Iran noose" 12/5/2011) (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/congress-sees-shipping-certification-firms-as-tool-to-tighten-iran-noose/2011/12/02/gIQAjCxvXO_story.html)

"France's Bureau Veritas, which verifies the safety and environmental standards of ships, has stopped its marine work in Iran, the classification society said in a new setback for Tehran as it faces growing pressure from Western sanctions... 'The only marine-related activity that Bureau Veritas has ever exercised onboard vessels in Iran or owned by Iranian companies is classification surveys, which are only dealing with safety and maritime pollution prevention, that is, for safety and protection of third-parties' interests,' it said in a statement on Thursday. 'Nonetheless...Bureau Veritas has taken the decision to cease all marine activities on Iranian-owned vessels with a view to alleviating any type of confusion.'... U.S.-based United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which has been among pressure groups opposed to the Islamic Republic's nuclear ambitions, said it had urged Bureau Veritas to stop providing cover for Iranian vessels... In a letter addressed to UANI this week, Bureau Veritas said that following discussions with French government authorities it had decided to 'disengage completely' from all marine activities related to Iran... Bureau Veritas added that it given notice to Iran's flag authority at the end of 2011 of the termination of the agreement 'of delegation of statutory inspection and certification surveys for Iranian registered vessels'... 'Bureau Veritas has also taken the same decision with respect to the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) for all their vessels and has decided to cease all marine activities in respect of all other known Iranian shipping companies' vessels,' it said in the letter... Pressure group UANI, which had previously said Bureau Veritas's certification activities were in violation of EU sanctions, welcomed the move... 'We accept Bureau Veritas's pledge to end all of its marine activities related to Iran,' said UANI chief executive Mark Wallace, a former U.S. ambassador." (Reuters, "Ship classifier Bureau Veritas halts Iran marine work," 6/7/2012) (http://www.cnbc.com/id/47725506)