EU RCD Directive and CE Certification for Recreational Craft

Product Scope Covered by EU RCD Directive for Recreational Craft CE Certification:

1. This directive applies to recreational craft, partially completed craft, and separate or installed components specified in Appendix II.

2. "Recreational craft" means any type of boat for sports and leisure purposes with a hull length ranging from 2.2m to 24m, measured in accordance with applicable harmonized standards, regardless of propulsion mode.

3. Where the same vessel is used for both charter and recreational boating training, this directive shall also apply when placed on the market for recreational purposes.

It also includes the following spare parts for vessels:

A Ignition protection devices for inboard or stern engines

B Starting protection devices for outboard engines

C Steering wheels, control mechanisms and cable assemblies

D Fuel tanks and fuel pipelines

E Installed hatches and side windows

Products Excluded from EU RCD Directive for Recreational Craft CE Certification:

1. Vessels exclusively for racing, including racing rowing boats and training boats marked by manufacturers;

2. Kayaks, canvas boats, flat-bottomed boats and pedal boats;

3. Sailing dinghies;

4. Powered surfboards, personal watercraft and other similar motorized water vehicles;

5. Historic original vessels or single-piece replicas designed before 1950 and marked as such by manufacturers, mainly built with original materials;

6. Vessels built for personal use, provided they are not placed on the European market within 5 years;

7. Vessels exclusively for crew use or commercial passenger transport regardless of passenger capacity, complying with Directive 82/716/EEC laying down technical requirements for inland waterway vessels;

8. Submarines

9. Hovercraft

10. Hydrofoil boats

Recreational Craft Design Categories

01 Class A — Ocean

Designed for long-distance ocean navigation, capable of withstanding winds above Force 8 and waves over 4 meters, with largely self-sufficient onboard facilities.
02 Class B — Offshore

Designed for offshore navigation, capable of withstanding winds up to Force 8 and waves up to 4 meters.
03 Class C — Inshore

Designed for coastal waters, large bays, estuaries, lakes and river basins, capable of withstanding winds up to Force 6 and waves up to 2 meters.
04 Class D — Sheltered Waters

Designed for small lakes, rivers and canals, capable of withstanding winds up to Force 4 and waves up to 0.5 meters.

In addition, all categories of craft must be designed and manufactured to meet mandatory requirements such as stability, buoyancy and other essential performance indicators based on product specifications.

Safety Component Regulations for Recreational Craft CE Certification

01 Inflatable Boats:

ISO 6185-1: Unpowered inflatable boats; inflatable boats with power no more than 4.5kW; kayaks and dinghies; inflatable kayaks with maximum sail area not exceeding 6m².

ISO 6185-2: Inflatable boats with power ranging from 4.5kW to 15kW; inflatable kayaks with sail area exceeding 6m².

ISO 6185-3: Offshore inflatable boats with power above 15kW or over 75kW.
02 Conventional Non-Inflatable Craft:

ISO 12217-3: Non-sailing boats and sailing boats with hull length less than 6m.

ISO 12217-1: Non-sailing boats with hull length of 6m and above.

ISO 12217-2: Sailing boats with hull length of 6m and above.
03 Safety Component Standards:

Ignition protection devices for inboard or stern engines: EN 28846;

Starting protection devices for marine engines: ISO 11547;

Fuel tanks and fuel pipelines: ISO 21487, ISO 10088;

Installed hatches and side windows: ISO 12216.