Recreational Craft

Model Declaration of Conformity

PDF version of leaflet for printing 15 ( KB) - An Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in may be required.

The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 2003/44/EC in the UK the Recreational Craft Regulations 2004, requires a Declaration of Conformity to be issued with each craft placed on the market.

The RCD states what a Declaration of Conformity must contain but does not provide a official format.

In order to promote uniformity in interpreting the Directive, a Model Declaration of conformity has been drawn up. You can obtain the English version of this document by using the link below, although it is not compulsory to use this form:

Model Declaration (English version) - http://www.dti.gov.uk/strd/rcd_doc.pdf

The model contains all the elements that have to appear on a Declaration of Conformity. Some of the elements will not always be relevant. For example if you have not used a Notified Body, its name and address is not required. The full list of the Essential Requirements (ERs) is given but, in most cases, only those that are relevant need appear.

Other model declarations for engines and personal water craft are being worked on and will be published as soon as they are available.

Several EEA Member States have compulsory registration schemes for recreational craft owned and operated within their national boundaries. The Declaration of Conformity in these countries often form part of their registration scheme. Consequently, those member states expect the declaration of conformity to be in their prescribed form.

European language versions:-

• http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/maritime/maritime_regulatory/directive_94_25.htm#Reference%20Documents

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This advice is designed to provide basic guidance to Consumers. It is not a complete or authoritative statement of the law.
We will be pleased to offer this information in larger print or translated into any language on request.

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Bus/145/003 March 06