This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Reducing air pollution from leisure boats and personal watercraft
- Date of last review:
- 28/10/2022
- Initial creation date:
- 29/07/2014
- Summary code:
-
- 24.03.08.04 Transport – aligning systems & safety
- EUROVOC descriptor:
- Directory code:
- Summarised document(s):
- Author:
- Publications Office of the European Union
- Responsible entity(ies):
- Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
Reducing air pollution from leisure boats and personal watercraft
SUMMARY OF:
Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft and personal watercraft
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?
- It updates legislation covering the design and manufacture of motor and sailing craft.
- It seeks to ensure that, by complying with the same standards, there is fair competition for these products in the European Union (EU) market.
KEY POINTS
The directive lays down requirements for manufacturers, importers and distributors of watercraft, and builds on legislation adopted in 2003, which included limits on engine exhaust emissions (carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulates) and noise levels to reflect technological developments that have resulted in improved environmental performance.
Design categories
The new directive specifies design categories (A, B, C and D) for boats, based on suitability for navigation conditions such as ranges of wind force and significant wave height.
CE marking
All watercraft, designated components and propulsion engines are subject to CE marking, indicating that a product complies with the relevant EU legislation. CE marking has to be affixed on the craft builder’s plate, mounted separately from the craft’s identification number in the case of watercraft and directly on the engine in the case of a propulsion engine.
Other essential requirements include:
- an identification number for each watercraft and a requirement to carry the craft’s builder’s plate;
- the need for craft to be designed to minimise the risk of falling overboard and to allow for easy reboarding;
- good all-round visibility for the operator, under normal conditions;
- a written manual to accompany all craft to ensure their safe use;
- sufficient structure, stability and buoyancy in accordance with its design category;
- an emergency stopping device for all tiller-controlled outboard propulsion engines.
Implementing acts
The European Commission is empowered to adopt implementing acts. Implementing Regulation 2017/1 on watercraft identification clarifies the definitions of watercraft identification’s components. It also introduces the procedures for assignment and administration of watercraft identification numbers. The implementing decisions on the publication of the list of harmonised standards1 related to recreational craft and personal watercraft are published and updated regularly (see also standardisation).
Repeal
It repeals Directive 94/25/EC with effect from .
FROM WHEN DO THE RULES APPLY?
The directive had to be transposed into national law by . These rules have applied since .
KEY TERMS
- Harmonised standards. European standards adopted on the basis of a request made by the Commission for the application of EU harmonisation legislation.
MAIN DOCUMENT
Directive 2013/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of on recreational craft and personal watercraft and repealing Directive 94/25/EC (OJ L 354, , pp. 90–131).
Successive amendments to Directive 2013/53/EU have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
last update