(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) On July 4, 2022, the European Commission (EC) issued its latest (6th) Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1157 regarding the design, construction and performance requirements and testing standards for marine equipment.
This new requirement entered into force on August 15, 2022. The Implementing Regulation is published on an annual basis and lays down rules for the application of the Directive 2014/90/EU on Marine Equipment regarding conformity and certification requirements for equipment to be installed on EU-flagged vessels.
The regulation includes the Annex which details the applicable requirements, testing standards, modules for conformity assessment and any applicable dates for placement on the market for each listed piece of marine equipment subject to the Directive and Implementing Regulation. The products covered include life-saving, fire protection, navigation, radio communication, pollution prevention and other marine equipment subject to statutory requirements.
Equipment manufacturers are encouraged to review the Annex to the Implementing Regulation for any updates or changes to the requirements applicable to their products.
Manufacturers need to have valid MED certification (Modules B+D, B+E, B+F or G certificates) to be allowed to place their products on the European market. The conformity of the products is confirmed by the manufacturer at the end of the production phase by affixing the wheel mark on the product and issuing the Declaration of Conformity.
The Declaration of Conformity issued by the manufacturer for products produced after 15 August 2022 shall follow the 6th Implementing Regulation.
Manufacturers are requested to compare the conformity of their products with the design, construction, and performance requirements as well as the testing standards of the currently valid Implementing Regulation. For products where changed requirements and testing standards are addressed, new or additional tests may be required.
Effective August 15, 2022, the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1157 (latest version) repeals the previous Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1158.
Source: EU
