This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Stakeholder contacts on TTIP (since 12 December 2014)'.




 
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 

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