Marine Equipment Directive: 5th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1158 entered into force on 25 August 2021

The 5th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1158 amending the Marine Equipment Directive 2014/90/EU was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 16 July 2021. It entered into force on 25 August 2021 and replaces the 4th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1170.

Relevant for manufacturers who work for ships flying the European flag.

The 5th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1158 amending the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 2014/90/EU indicates the design, construction and performance requirements and testing standards for marine equipment. The regulation is replacing the former 4th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1170 and entered into force on 25 August 2021.

Marine equipment which complies with the requirements and testing standards for type approval in force before 25 August 2021 may continue to be placed on the market and on board an EU ship until 25 August 2024, unless another date is stated in (column 6 of) the Implementing Regulation as “last placing on board”.

For the following maritime equipment, new or updated requirements and testing standards are introduced by the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1158, indicated by the text “new row” and applicable for “first placing on the market” from 25 August 2021:

  • MED/3.3a Fire-fighter’s outfit: protective clothing
  • MED/3.12a and MED/3.12d Devices to prevent the passage of flame into the cargo tanks in tankers …
  • MED/3.30a and MED/3.30b Portable oxygen analysis and gas detection equipment…
  • MED/3.40 Low-location lighting systems (components only)
  • MED/3.54a and MED/3.54b Fixed oxygen analysis and gas detection equipment
  • MED/3.63a, MED/3.63b and MED/3.63c Sample extraction smoke detection systems components
  • MED/3.65 Fixed hydrocarbon gas detection system
  • MED/5.1 VHF radio capable of transmitting and receiving DSC and radiotelephony
  • MED/5.2 VHF DSC watch-keeping receiver
  • MED/5.10 MF radio capable of transmitting and receiving DSC and radiotelephony
  • MED/5.11 MF DSC watch-keeping receiver
  • MED/5.14 MF/HF radio capable of transmitting and receiving DSC, NBDP and radiotelephony
  • MED/5.15 MF/HF DSC scanning watch keeping receiver
  • MED/5.22 Ship Earth station for use in the GMDSS

Some maritime equipment / MED items have been moved from the former 4th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1170 to the newly created MED items in (EU) 2021/1158:

MED/4.63 GNSS equipment

  • ex MED/4.14 GPS
  • ex MED/4.15 GLONASS equipment
  • ex MED/4.50 DGPS
  • ex MED/4.51 DGLONASS equipment

MED/4.64 Radar equipment

  • ex MED/4.37 – 1H/2H
  • ex MED/4.37 – 1H/2H
  • ex MED/4.34-CAT1
  • ex MED/4.35-CAT2
  • ex MED/4.36-CAT3

MED/4.65 Gyro compass

  • ex MED/4.3 Gyro compass
  • ex MED/4.31 Gyro compass for high-speed craft

Finally, for the following marine equipment/products, a subdivision of the MED item has been introduced by the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1158:

  • Sewage systems
  • Devices to prevent the passage of flame into the cargo tanks in tankers
  • Portable oxygen analysis and gas detection equipment
  • Emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD)
  • Inert gas systems
  • Fixed oxygen analysis and gas detection equipment
  • Dual purpose type nozzles (spray/jet type)
  • Sample extraction smoke detection system components

Recommendations

Manufacturers need to have valid MED certification (Module B+D, B+E, B+F or G certificates) to be allowed to place their products on the European market. The conformity of the products is confirmed by the manufacturer at the end of the production phase by affixing the wheel mark on the product and issuing the Declaration of Conformity.

Manufacturers are requested to compare the conformity of their products with the design, construction and performance requirements as well as the testing standards of the currently valid Implementing Regulation. For products where changed requirements and testing standards are addressed, new or additional tests may be required.

The Declaration of Conformity issued by manufacturer for products produced after 25 August 2021 shall follow the 5th Implementing Regulation.

Since 25 August 2021, MED certificates have been issued by DNV’s notified bodies according to the 5th Implementing Regulation after a positive outcome of the EC assessment procedure.

References

Contact

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