Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU

The Recreational Craft Directive 2013/53/EU is intended to ensure a high level of safety for users, as well as regulate exhaust and noise emissions of certain types of engine-propelled recreational craft.

The Directive aims to harmonize the rules governing the sale of recreational craft within the EU.

The presence of the CE marking is an indication that the craft meets the essential requirements in place to allow it to be sold anywhere in the European Economic Area.  This also applies to products manufactured in third countries.

The design and construction provisions of the Directive apply to any boat between 2.5 m and 24 m in length that is intended for sports and leisure purposes, regardless of its means of propulsion, as well as to personal watercraft. Boats intended for commercial purposes, or solely for racing purposes, are excluded – as are canoes, kayaks, gondolas, pedals, surfboards and sailing surfboards.

The Directive’s provisions on exhaust emissions cover propulsion engines installed on recreational craft or personal watercraft. Its provisions on noise emissions cover recreational craft with stern drive engines with integral exhausts, outboard engines and stern drive engines with integral exhausts intended for installation on recreational craft and personal watercraft.