Ref. Ares(2015)4619705 - 27/10/2015
Ref. Ares(2016)6183596 - 28/10/2016
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Directorate-General for Trade
Directorate E - Neighbouring countries, USA and Canada
USA and Canada
Brussels,
USA and Canada
Meeting Report
Meeting with M. Heinemann - International Marine Certification Institute
23.03.2015
Participants:
– International Marine Certification Institute (Recreational Craft
Certification Industry)
,
(DG Trade) and
,
and
(DG GROW)
•
raised concerns against the possible mutual recognition of equivalence
of the US and EU technical regulations and standards for recreational craft which
given the differences in regulation would create an unlevelled playing field:
o US technical regulations for RD are established by the US Coast Guard - But are
less stringent than the system established by the RCD.
o In the US there are about a dozen SDOs active in this field, while in the EU there
are only two.
o US voluntary standards (around 50) overlap between each other while in the EU
we have a consolidated system (78 standards).
o The US voluntary system is based on standards mostly made by ABYC
(American Boat and Yacht Council) and promoted by NMMA (US National
Marine Manufacturers Association). These standards have equivalent level of
safety to the RCD but are not legally required. However, many manufacturers
operating on the US market follow them to avoid problems in case of court
disputes if an accident happens.
o US SDOs are reactive – developing standards following reports on accidents –
while EU standards
• In their view recognising the equivalence of these regulatory systems would lead
to massive import of less performing boats to the EU. They are in favour of
maintaining the status quo. Unless the US would make these voluntary ABYC
standards a part of the US official legislation system
• COMM noted that TTIP negotiations do not envisage recognition of equivalence
of standards or technical regulations in this area.
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111
Document Outline