04/2017 - Statutory Alert: New EU Implementing Regulation 2017/306 indicating design, construction and performance requirements and testing standards for equipment subject to the Marine Equipment Directive (MED)

Applicability: Manufacturers of marine equipment to be fitted to ships flying an EU flag, and owners or operators of ships flying an EU flag.

A new European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/306 became applicable on 16 March 2017. The Annex to this Regulation replaces Amendment 11 to the Marine Equipment Directive 96/98/EC. This regulation indicates design, construction, performance requirements and testing standards for marine equipment for which MED approval may be issued. It also provides dates from which those requirements and testing standards are to apply.

The regulation allows a transitional period, up to 16 March 2020, during which equipment listed as a new item can be placed on the market and on board an EU ship if it conforms with an EU member state’s national requirements for type approval in force before the entry into force of this new regulation. Existing certificates issued under the current MED (96/98/EC) will generally remain valid until their expiry.

This Statutory Alert should be read in conjunction with Class News 31/2016.

For further information

Speak to one of our experts at your local Lloyd’s Register Group office, or see our  marine equipment directive page