Published on: 03 February 2022
The Recreational Sectoral Group (RSG) has published the new 2022 Guidelines for the general application of the conformity assessment procedures by Notified Bodies and Manufacturers. The aim is to prepare and assist with the conformity assessment procedures undertaken by Notified Bodies for recreational craft, personal watercraft, their components and their engines, in accordance with the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 2013/53/EU.
Due to the variety of watercraft, the RSG has considered the applicability of various parts of harmonised standards. Where suitable standards are not available, the RSG has established uniform guidelines to assist with demonstrating conformity with the Essential Requirements of the Directive.
The main features and updates of the 2022 RSG are:
- A system that has the ability to link the RCD Articles and Essential Requirements directly to the ERFUs (Endorsed Recommendations For Use) and applicable standards
- A new section (Part 5.) – “Harmonised Standards under RCD 2013/53/EU” that includes all the harmonised standards and the relative Annex Zas
- A full text search extended to the content of ERFUs and RFUs
Although the RSG Guidelines are written for the RCD and procedures undertaken by notified bodies, because of the current alignment of the RCD (EU) and the UK’s recreational craft regulations (RCR), the RSG Guidelines can also be used as a guide to the RCR and approved body procedures, although British Marine members should carefully cross check the harmonised and designated ISO standards in the latest technical report.
The 2022 RSG guidelines are free to download to British Marine Members from the British Marine website here.