When a wallcovering carries the designation “IMO certified” (or more precisely, “IMO-approved”), it means it has survived one of the most unforgiving testing regimes in the entire interiors industry. The International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency headquartered in London, sets global standards for safety of life at sea. Its flagship regulation, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), is non-negotiable law on virtually every cruise ship, ferry, yacht, offshore oil platform, and commercial vessel that crosses an international border.
Ordinary commercial Type II wallcovering—no matter how tough it is in a hotel or hospital—simply isn’t enough at sea. On a ship, fire isn’t just a risk; it is the single greatest threat to human life. Evacuation is measured in hours, not minutes. A single spark in a corridor can become a catastrophe before the nearest fire brigade is hundreds of miles away. That’s why IMO certification exists, and why only a small, elite group of wallcoverings earn the wheel-mark medallion.What IMO Certification Actually Tests – And Why It’s BrutalEvery roll of IMO-approved wallcovering must pass the FTP Code (International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures) with flying colors. These are not gentle laboratory simulations:
- Surface flame spread (IMO Res. MSC.307(88) Part 5) – the material must resist ignition and slow the travel of fire across a wall or ceiling.
- Smoke & toxicity (Part 2) – when it does burn, it must produce minimal smoke and virtually no deadly gases such as hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, or nitrogen oxides.
- Non-combustibility & heat release (Part 1 & Part 7) – critical for bulkheads and ceilings near escape routes.
- Resistance to the marine environment – constant salt-laden air, 95 % humidity swings, drastic temperature changes from equatorial heat to arctic chill, and the endless vibration of engines and waves.
The result is a product that is dramatically more fire-safe than even the strictest land-based Class A requirements most specifiers know from hospitals or airports.Built to Survive – And Still Look ExtraordinaryIMO-certified wallcovering is over-engineered in every dimension:
- Heavier vinyl faces (usually 20–28 oz) laminated to non-combustible or low-flame substrates
- Special formulations that incorporate flame-retardant chemistries without relying on halogens that produce toxic smoke
- Mold- and mildew-resistant backings that laugh at perpetual dampness
- Colorfast inks and topcoats that withstand UV from portholes and the corrosive bite of salt air
Yet none of this comes at the expense of beauty. Modern IMO collections rival the finest hospitality patterns on land: subtle linen textures, bold geometric murals, metallic accents, woodgrain illusions, and custom digital designs that turn a steel bulkhead into a serene spa lounge or an elegant dining saloon.Where You’ll Find ItFrom the opulent public spaces of the world’s largest cruise ships to the utilitarian crew corridors of working ferries and offshore supply vessels, IMO-approved wallcovering is everywhere passengers and crew live, work, and escape. It wraps the walls of:
- Luxury suites and balcony staterooms
- Grand atriums and theater lounges
- Children’s clubs and medical centers
- Engine-room control stations and helicopter hangars on oil rigs
Featured IMO-Approved Collections
- Command – Crisp, authoritative textures with a subtle woven look; the choice for bridges, officer quarters, and high-traffic public corridors.
- Russet – Warm, organic earth tones and soft metallics that bring residential comfort to guest cabins without sacrificing an ounce of safety.
- Acute – Sharp, contemporary geometrics and high-impact digital murals that turn stairwells and lounges into Instagram-worthy moments.
The Bottom LineSpecifying IMO-certified wallcovering isn’t just about checking a regulatory box. It’s a statement that the safety of every soul on board—passenger, crew member, or first responder—has been placed above every other consideration, without ever compromising the design vision.In an industry where “fire-rated” can sometimes feel like marketing jargon, the IMO wheel mark is the real thing: third-party tested, globally recognized, and trusted by shipyards, navies, and cruise lines from Miami to Monaco, Singapore to Southampton.When lives and multi-billion-dollar assets float on water, there is no room for almost-safe. There is only IMO-approved.
