The Directive allowed for the creation and emergence of a single market for boats, personal watercraft, marine engines and components in the EU.
The European Commission's proposal brought the Directive in line with the New Legislative Framework,[2] as well as bringing in stricter exhaust emissions limits and clarifying the concept of private importer.
[4] Directive 94/25/EC, as amended by 2003/44/EC, applies to new and second hand recreational craft from 2.5m to 24m in length, personal watercraft, marine propulsion engines and components placed on the market for the first time after 1998.
Products excluded from the scope of the Directive include: canoes, kayaks, gondolas, pedalos, sailing surfboards, surfboards, racing boats, historical craft, craft built for own use provided that they are not subsequently placed on the market during a period of five years, commercial vessels carrying passengers (covered by separate legislation), submersibles, air cushion vehicles, hydrofoils, and external combustion steam powered craft.
The CE marking must appear in a visible, legible and indelible form on the product or, in the case of small components, its packaging.
Where relevant, it should be accompanied by the identification number of the Notified body that carried out the conformity assessment procedures.
Notified bodies are appointed at the national level by EU Member States to carry out conformity assessments on boats and engines according to the requirements of the Directive.
To assist in the uniform interpretation and application of the Directive, the Recreational Craft Sectoral Group was established in 1995.