Recreational Craft Directives 94/25/EC and 2003/44/EC
The Recreational Craft Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/1464) implement into UK law the Recreational Craft Directives (94/25/EC and 2003/44/EC). They apply to recreational craft and are intended to promote the free movement of goods and safety, as well as noise and exhaust emissions of some engines.
Overview
The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) applies to recreational craft (such as personal watercraft, narrow boats and luxury motor yachts) 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 such as engine ignition systems, steering systems, fuel systems etc. as referred to in Annex II of the RCD. A consolidated version of the Recreational Craft Directive is available from the European website.
Am I Affected
If you manufacture or otherwise place on the EU market craft or components coming within the scope of the RCD you will need to comply with the essential requirements. You will need to provide evidence that your product has been through the appropriate conformity assessment process. This will usually require the involvement of a Notified Body, but in some cases can be done by self certification. Notified Bodies are appointed by the UK and other Member States, under the RCD to perform certain tasks to assist manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with the RCD. A list of Notified Bodies appointed by EU Member States can be found on the NANDO database. The product will need to carry CE marking and the manufacturer will need to issue a Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
CAUTION: The Department is aware of cases where organisations claim (or appear to claim) to be notified bodies authorised to carry out conformity assessment and certification when they actually hold no such appointment. Please see further information in the attached warning note (DOC, 42 Kb) .
There are a number of exclusions from the Directive including canoes, kayaks, surfboards, craft specifically designed to be crewed and to carry passengers for commercial purposes, hydrofoils etc. It is for the manufacturer to decide whether his product is covered by the exclusions.
Advice to Consumers
Any recreational craft placed on the market in the EU must meet the essential requirements of the RCD including a number relating to safety. It is important that consumers are able to purchase or hire products that they can be confident are as safe as they can be. Should you become aware or suspect that products placed on the market, do not provide this confidence, you should report your concerns to your local authority trading standards office. Trading Standards are the enforcement authority for the RCD and can look into your complaint and take action if appropriate. You are of course free to raise any concerns you have with us in BIS while we will be able to assist in the understanding of the requirements of the Directive and will be able to discuss policy issues, you should be aware that, where the relevant enforcement authority is trading standards, we will be unable to do other than refer you to them.
Information on your rights as a consumer and how to make a complaint can be found on the DirectGov website at:
Consumer Rights
You can also find information on using your boat safely on the water on the DirectGov website at:
Using Recreational Craft Safely
Latest Developments
The European Commission published a proposal for revision of the RCD on 26th July. As with a number of other product directives the RCD is being revised to take account of the requirements of the New Legislation Framework (NLF). It has also been opened up for a full review of scope, essential requirements and administrative procedures. A copy of the Proposal and accompanying documents can be found at: Recreational Craft
The proposal will be presented for a first reading at the European Parliament, and also to the Council of Ministers. There is no indication yet as to when this will happen. This will be the start of a negotiation phase that will last for around eighteen months to two years. Once it has been adopted the proposal will require putting into UK Law. BIS will consult on the proposal to a wide range of stakeholders, in order to ensure that as many people as possible have a chance to have their say on the proposals. We will then look at the responses we receive and consider which comments or suggestions we can take forward in the UK negotiation line. We shall also meet with stakeholders where appropriate as issues arise and if necessary hold meetings or workshops where this might be helpful.
Contact Us
All enquiries relating to the information shown on this webpage should be sent to Product Regulation.
Related Links
Further information on the requirements of the RCD can be found at:
Business Link
For further information on the RCD please see the EU website at:
Recreational Craft
To download a copy of the Directive and other related EU publications please see:
Maritime Industries
To download a copy the Recreational Craft Regulations 2004 please see:
Legislation website
