Classification societies are organizations that establish and enforce standards for the design, construction and operation of ships. Their responsibilities have expanded over time beyond just classifying ships to include statutory surveys, research, software development and more. Their main goals are to ensure ships comply with established safety rules and prevent vessels from falling into a substandard condition through regular classification surveys. Some of the major classification societies include Lloyd's Register, American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas, Det Norske Veritas and others.