(1)

The uniform application of international testing standards and procedures for the approval of marine equipment is ensured by Directive 2014/90/EU.

(2)

Marine equipment to be placed on EU ships is to meet the requirements of Directive 2014/90/EU, in accordance with implementing acts adopted pursuant to Article 35(2) of that Directive, indicating the respective design, construction and performance requirements and the testing standards provided for in the international instruments regarding such marine equipment.

(3)

For safety reasons, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires the carriage and approval of fire hoses on board of ships.

(4)

Currently there are no international standards for the technical specification and testing of non-percolating lay-flat firefighting hoses with an inside diameter greater than 52 mm and therefore such hoses are not covered by Union legislation in force. The absence of international standards means that such hoses cannot be conformity assessed and approved for use on board of EU ships in accordance with Directive 2014/90/EU. The lack of harmonisation leads to varying levels of safety of products onboard EU ships, potentially leading to the failure of such products while in use, which is creating a serious and unacceptable risk to maritime health and safety, and an administrative burden for Member States.

(5)

There are also no international standards for testing the abrasion resistance of non-percolating lay-flat firefighting hoses with an inside diameter between 25 mm and 52 mm and therefore such standards are not covered by Union legislation in force. In the absence of international standards, such hoses cannot be conformity assessed as regards abrasion resistance in accordance with Directive 2014/90/EU. The lack of harmonisation for abrasion tests leads to potential early failure of such products when used on board EU flagged ships, which is creating a serious and unacceptable risk to maritime health and safety.

(6)

Therefore, harmonised technical specifications and testing standards for all non-percolating lay-flat firefighting hoses with an inside diameter greater than 25 mm should be established. Those specifications and testing standards should remain applicable until the international instruments have been amended to incorporate appropriate testing standards for such hoses,