Revised Recreational Craft Directive – Enters into Force

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) is pleased to report a major achievement in the revision of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).

The RCD revision was agreed by the European Commission (EC), European Parliament (EP) and Council (CEU) with a final vote and adoption following an Internal Market and Consumer Protection report by rapporteur, British MEP, Malcolm Harbour on 9 October 2013. The revision was then approved by all the Member States in a final CEU meeting on 15 November 2013.

The revised RCD text – which has been assigned a new number – 2013/53/EU – was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on 28 December 2013 and enters into force 20 days following its publication on 17 January 2014.

From this point, Member States have two years to transpose the Directive into their own legislation and then, after a further one year transitional period, only products complying with the new Directive will be allowed in the EU.

Patrick Hemp, ICOMIA’s Technical Manager, said, “ICOMIA’s Marine Engine Committee (IMEC) worked actively with the Bodies involved securing the principal issues in the revised RCD which include more stringent engine exhaust emissions limits; the inclusion of Personal Water Craft within the scope of the Directive and EU-wide New Legal Framework.

For more information, please contact info@icomia.com