About the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 2014/90/EU

What is the UKCA mark?

The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) mark is the new UK product 

marking that will be required for certain products being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). It covers most products that previously required the CE mark.

It will not be recognized in the EU market. Products that require CE marking will still need a CE marking to be sold in the EU.

If you’d like to know more – to ensure you’re fully aware of the requirements and the impact on your business – you can opt to take Market Access (inc CE, UKCA) Training Courses from BSI Training Academy.

Download a copy of our guide to UKCA marking.

UK Government information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-ukca-mark-from-1-january-2021

What is the Marine Equipment Directive about?

The Purpose of the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) is to enhance safety at sea and prevent pollution to the marine environment through the uniform application of the relevant international instruments relating to equipment to be placed on board ships registered with a Member State of the European Union.

Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on Marine Equipment repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC came into force from 18 September 2016.

Manufacturers of equipment covered under the Directive must obtain independent certification from a Notified body before their products can display the Ship’s Wheel Mark. The Ship’s Wheel Mark must be accompanied by the identification number of the Notified Body as well as the year the Ship’s Wheel Mark was placed on the product.

To achieve this all products must undergo testing, type examination and production control. Work with BSI as your market access partner of choice to achieve this and grow your business.

Who is the directive for?

If you are a manufacturer, an Authorised Representative for the manufacturer located outside the European Union, Distributor or an Importer for the equipment listed in the MED regulation, then this affects you.

This Directive applies to equipment placed or to be placed on board an EU ship and for which the approval of the flag State administration is required by the international instruments, regardless of whether the ship is situated in the Union at the time when it is fitted with the equipment.

What does the Marine Equipment Directive cover?

The Directive covers a wide range of equipment, covering all aspects of a ships safety and equipment and requires the assistance of a Notified Body for conformity assessment under the following headings:

  • Life Saving Appliances
  • Marine Pollution Prevention
  • Fire Protection Equipment
  • Navigation equipment
  • Radio communication equipment
  • Equipment Required under COLREF 72
  • Bulk Carrier Safety Equipment and
  • Equipment Under SOLAS Chapter II-1

BSI is currently accredited for 30 of the product lines listed in the MED Regulations currently in force under Life Saving Appliances and Fire Protection Equipment.

How the Marine Equipment Directive can help you access other markets

The MED is aimed at ensuring that equipment which has to meet the requirements of international conventions (e.g., SOLAS, MARPOL, etc.) agreed at IMO (the International Maritime Organisation), additionally meets a common standard of safety and performance.

The EC-US Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on Marine Equipment between the United States (US) and the European Community (EC) were concluded in June 2003 and the agreement was signed on February 27, 2004. This means that if your equipment has been certified under the MED it may also be accepted for sale in the US without the need for additional testing or certification and vice-versa.

Why choose BSI to meet the Marine Equipment Directive requirements?

BSI is a Notified Body and leading provider of testing and certification solutions. We offer technical expertise and professional testing and certification services enabling you to demonstrate that your products meet the requirements of the Directive.

We have a global service with world-class expertise and BSI is leader in testing and certification. With more than 270 technical experts located in over 100 countries, we provide some of the most extensive and efficient testing services, accelerating time to market and giving you a head start of the competition.