National Standards

The role of the GICHD in NMAS

IMAS are a framework for the development of National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) which reflect the mine action requirements in an individual country. The GICHD develops, maintains and promotes the use of IMAS, on behalf of UNMAS, and provides training and advice on the design and development of NMAS.

The GICHD supports mine-affected states in the development and revision of their NMAS on a request basis. The support provided varies, depending on the country’s needs. Assistance may take the form of training on how to establish the NMAS, and which subjects should be considered or developed. On request, the GICHD also reviews the NMAS already in place in the respective countries, and provides feedback on how they compare to IMAS, or the NMAS of other countries. In certain situations, the Centre may be requested to assist a country in drafting specific national standards on a specific subject matters.

The GICHD has supported many mine-affected countries in the development and revision of NMAS and will continue to provide this support in the future.

To help share information and knowledge within the wider mine action community, the NMAS of a number of mine-affected countries are posted on the Mine Action Standards website as examples (see links on the right).

The national mine action authority of each respective country is responsible for its own NMAS, which do not necessarily reflect standards recommended by the GICHD. These NMAS are not, therefore, guaranteed to be up-to-date or complete, and should not be considered as endorsed or approved by the GICHD. Any questions or queries regarding these NMAS should be sent to the relevant national authority.