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Recreational Craft (RC) Directive 94/25/EC
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Subject Area |
The Directive applies to recreational craft measuring between 2.5 and 24 metres
hull length, regardless of the means of propulsion, and intended for sport and
leisure purposes. This includes:
- partly completed recreational craft and
- specific components i.e. engine ignition systems, steering systems, fuel
systems, etc as referred to in Annex II of the Directive.
- Exclusions include canoes, surfboards, craft specifically intended to be
crewed and to carry passengers for commercial purposes, hydrofoils etc.
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Intention of
Legislation
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To remove barriers to trade and ensure open means
of access by Member States to Community markets. |
| Brief History |
The Directive was adopted by the European
Parliament on 16 June 1994 and was transposed into UK Law by the Recreational Craft Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/1353)
(as amended) which came into force on 16 June 1996.
The Regulations had a transition period until 16 June 1998 when they became
mandatory. Copies of the Regulations are available from The Stationery Office
(ISBN 0-11-054751-9).
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| Current Position |
In Oct 2000, the European Commission issued a
proposal detailing major amendments to the Recreational Craft Directive which
aimed to introduce into the scope of the Directive, exhaust and noise emission
limits for marine engines intended to be installed in recreational craft covered
by the Directive. The Directive was agreed by Ministers and the European
Parliament on 16 June 2003, as Directive 2003/44/EC.
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| Future Work
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The DTI is commencing a period of consultation
starting on 8 December 2003 for three months on the proposed Regulations
that will implement Directive 2003/44/EC.
Our open letter to consultees is available as rcdcons03l.pdf
 (69 kB),
the consultation document itself is available as rcdcons03.pdf
(370 kB).
and Annex E to the consultation, the draft final Regulatory Impact Assessment,
is rcdcons03-ria.pdf (160 kB)
The closing date for comments is 8 March 2004.
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| Guidance / Further Information |
- The Commission has issued guidance on the application of the Directive
entitled 'Recreational Craft Directive and Comments to the Directive Combined'
which is available from the Commission's
website in PDF format:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/maritime/maritime_regulatory/
doc/ccpaper_2nd_edition_en_nov_03.pdf
(1,804 kB)
- A comprehensive DTI Guidance booklet is
available.
- Representatives from the Member States have agreed a version of the written
Declaration of Conformity which must accompany a product as required by Article
4 (2) and (3) and Annex III of the Directive 94/25/EC (Regulation 7(2)(c) and
(3) and Schedule 3 of The Recreational Craft Regulations 1996 SI. 1996 No.
1353). This document, although not mandatory, will be translated into the
various Community languages and its use will be recommended by the European
Commission and Market Surveillance Authorities across the European Union. It is
hoped that this document will ease the task of manufacturers and provide
uniformity across Europe regarding the information provided on the Declaration
of Conformity. The document is now available on the DTI website as rcd_doc.pdf (22 kB).
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Further information, including
lists of harmonised standards as published periodically in the Official Journal
of the European Communities, is available from the European Commission's "Enterprise"
website.
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Under the Recreational Craft
Regulations 1996, Notified Bodies may be appointed to carry out various testing
and certification functions. These procedures are necessary to demonstrate
conformity with the essential safety requirements of the Recreational Craft
Directive (Directive 94/25/EC). One notified body has been appointed by the
Secretary of State. Its details are:
VERITEC LIMITED
Faraday House
The Village
Birchwood House
Warrington
Cheshire WA3 6FZ
Tel: +44 (0) 1925 414000
Fax: +44 (0) 1925 655595
- A comprehensive DTI Guidance booklet
is available.
- Further information, including lists of harmonised standards as published
periodically in the Official Journal of the European Communities, is
available from the European Commission's "Enterprise"
website.
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| Contact |
Neeroo Girdharee / Ana Nicola, Department of Trade
and Industry,
STRD4, Bay 324, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS
Tel: 020 7215 1411 / 1573; Fax: 020 7215 1529
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