CE certification support
We help builders and importers understand what the Recreational Craft Directive asks of their project, prepare the technical documentation, and coordinate the steps that involve other parties.
Every request is read by our team. The first reply sets out the likely route and the documents involved.
Overview
The Recreational Craft Directive (2013/53/EU) sets the essential safety and environmental requirements for recreational craft, personal watercraft and certain components and engines placed on the EU market. Which conformity assessment route applies depends on factors such as the craft’s design category and hull length.
Our role is practical: we help you understand the requirements that apply to your project, organise the evidence, and keep the process moving with the people involved.
Conformity assessment modules
The directive defines no conformity assessment modules of its own. It uses the modules of Decision No 768/2008/EC, Annex II, and says in Articles 20 to 22 which of them a product may use. Each module describes what the manufacturer does and, where one takes part, what the notified body does. Whichever module applies, the manufacturer keeps the technical documentation (Annex IX) for ten years, draws up the EU declaration of conformity and affixes the CE marking.
| Module | Name | What the manufacturer and the notified body do | Where the directive allows it |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Internal production control | The manufacturer draws up the technical documentation, controls production itself and checks the products. No notified body takes part. | Category D craft up to 24 m; category C craft under 12 m when the harmonised standards for stability and buoyancy (Annex I.A 3.2 and 3.3) are applied; personal watercraft; noise, when the Froude number and power/displacement method or a certified reference boat is used (Art. 22). |
| A1 | Internal production control plus supervised product testing | As Module A, plus tests on one or more craft representing production: stability and buoyancy, and the noise test of Annex I Part C. The tests are made by or for the manufacturer under the responsibility of a notified body it chooses (Annex VI); where the body carries out the tests, its number is affixed next to the CE marking. | Category A and B craft under 12 m; category C craft under 12 m; category D craft; personal watercraft; noise measured by the harmonised standard (Art. 22). |
| B | EU-type examination | A notified body examines the technical design, from the documentation and, where needed, a specimen of the type, and issues an EU-type examination certificate. The certificate covers the design; production is then assessed with C, D, E or F. The manufacturer reports every change that may affect conformity to the body. | All craft categories and hull lengths, components of Annex II and engines (exhaust emissions), always together with one of C, D, E or F (Art. 20, 21). |
| C | Conformity to type based on internal production control | The manufacturer makes sure every product conforms to the type in the certificate. No notified body takes part in production. | After Module B. |
| D | Conformity to type based on quality assurance of the production process | The manufacturer runs an approved quality system for production, final inspection and testing. A notified body approves the system and keeps it under surveillance; its number is affixed. | After Module B. |
| E | Conformity to type based on product quality assurance | A quality system for final product inspection and testing, approved and kept under surveillance by a notified body; its number is affixed. | After Module B. |
| F | Conformity to type based on product verification | A notified body examines and tests every product, or a statistical sample at the manufacturer’s choice, against the approved type and issues a certificate of conformity; its number is affixed. | After Module B. |
| G | Conformity based on unit verification | For a single product. The manufacturer draws up the technical documentation; a notified body examines and tests that one craft, component or engine and issues a certificate of conformity; its number is affixed. | All craft categories and hull lengths, components, engines and noise (Art. 20–22). The usual route for a one-off build. |
| H | Conformity based on full quality assurance | A quality system covering design, production, final inspection and testing, approved and kept under surveillance by a notified body; its number is affixed. There is no separate type examination. | All craft categories and hull lengths, components, engines and noise (Art. 20–22). |
| PCA | Post-construction assessment (Annex V) | Not a module of the Decision but the directive’s own procedure, used when the manufacturer has not taken responsibility for conformity. The person placing the craft on the market or putting it into service applies to a notified body with the documents available; the body examines the individual craft, has the calculations and tests it needs carried out, and issues a report of conformity and a PCA certificate. The applicant draws up the declaration of conformity and affixes the CE marking with the body’s number. | Private imports, craft placed on the market after a major conversion or a change of purpose, and own-use craft sold within five years of being put into service (Art. 19(2)–(4), Art. 23). |
Which of these a recreational craft may use depends on its design category and hull length (Art. 20(1)–(2)):
| Design category | Hull length 2.5 m to 12 m | 12 m to 24 m |
|---|---|---|
| A and B | A1 · B with C, D, E or F · G · H | B with C, D, E or F · G · H |
| C | A (only when the harmonised standards for 3.2 and 3.3 are applied) · A1 · B with C, D, E or F · G · H | B with C, D, E or F · G · H |
| D | A · A1 · B with C, D, E or F · G · H | A · A1 · B with C, D, E or F · G · H |
| Personal watercraft | A · A1 · B with C, D, E or F · G · H |
Components placed on the market separately and propulsion engines (exhaust emissions) always involve a notified body: B with C, D, E or F, G, or H (Art. 20(3), Art. 21). The module names and texts are in the library entry for Decision 768/2008/EC; what each module asks of your project is part of the scope review.
Who it is for
Boat builders
New models, design changes or a first CE project — you need a clear documentation plan.
Importers and owners
A craft built for another market, or missing documents — you need to know which route may apply.
Brokers and technical teams
You need a quick, sourced view of the open questions before a sale or a project decision.
What we support
What we support
- Initial review of your craft, intended design category and existing documents
- Gap list against the essential requirements and relevant harmonised standards
- Preparation and structuring of the technical documentation
- Content review of the draft builder's plate and owner's manual
- Coordination of post-construction assessment (PCA) steps, in the cases where the directive provides for it
- Communication support with the conformity assessment body you work with
Roles and responsibilities
- Where the module requires it, the notified body carries out its part of the conformity assessment and issues its certificate, approval decision or examination report
- The manufacturer draws up and signs the EU declaration of conformity and affixes the CE marking
- Physical tests are arranged with qualified parties where required and quoted separately
- The outcome rests with the assessment; we prepare the file so that nothing is missed
How the engagement works
Intake
You share the craft details and the documents you already have.
Scope review
A specialist identifies the likely route, open questions and missing information.
Plan and quote
You receive a written plan with deliverables, responsibilities and a quote.
Documentation
We prepare and structure the technical file together with your team.
Coordination
Where a notified body is involved, we support communication; the assessment and decision remain with that body.
Information that helps us start
- Craft type, hull length and intended design category (if known)
- Builder, year of build and watercraft identification number (WIN), if available
- Existing drawings, calculations, test reports or certificates
- Engine and installed systems information
- Where the craft will be placed on the market or put into service
Questions
Short answers to the questions we hear most about this service:
- Is there such a thing as a “CE certificate”?
- What is a conformity assessment module?
- How do I start the CE process for a boat or a component?
- Is CE marking mandatory, and for which products?
- Which documents are required?
Regulation and sources
- Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft and personal watercraft (EUR-Lex) (opens in a new tab)
- Harmonised standards — recreational craft (European Commission) (opens in a new tab)
- NANDO — notified bodies under Directive 2013/53/EU (European Commission) (opens in a new tab)
- Decision No 768/2008/EC, Annex II — conformity assessment modules (EUR-Lex) (opens in a new tab)
Start with an initial review
Send the craft details and the documents you have. The first reply sets out the likely route and who is involved.
Every request is read by our team. The first reply sets out the likely route and the documents involved.