This International Standard specifies the minimum operational and performance requirements, technical characteristics and methods of testing, and required test results, for shipborne integrated communication systems (ICS) designed to perform ship external communication and distress and safety communications (GMDSS) and the functions of onboard routeing of this communication. It takes account of IMO resolution A.694(17) and is associated with IEC 60945. When a requirement in this standard is different from IEC 60945, the requirement in this standard takes precedence. This standard incorporates the applicable parts of the performance standards included in IMO Resolution A.811(19) for an integrated radiocommunication system. It also incorporates the applicable requirements for the presentation of information included in IMO Resolution MSC.191(79) which is associated with IEC 62288, applicable requirements for bridge alert management included in IMO Resolution MSC.302(87), based on, and in compliance with applicable requirements for Ethernet interconnection in IEC 61162-450. The ICS is a system in which individual radiocommunication equipment and installations are used as subsystems, i.e. without the need for their own control units, providing outputs to and accepting inputs from a communications human machine interface (COM HMI). Each subsystem is in compliance with the type approval requirements for that subsystem where applicable, and is in compliance with the interface requirements in this standard. An ICS consists of at least two individual GMDSS subsystems. The COM-HMI is designed so that it can be made available on a bridge workstation either dedicated to communications or as part of a multi-function display.