Updated Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1667 amending the MED in force from 10 October 2023

The 7th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1667 of 8 August 2023 amending the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 2014/90/EU was published in the Official Journal of the EU. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1667 will come into force on 10 October 2023 and repeal the 6th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1157.

Relevant for manufacturers CMC, yard and owners of EU flagged vessels.

What is new in the updated Implementing Regulation?

Marine equipment listed as a “new item inserted by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1157”, which complies with the requirements or testing standards for type approval in force before 15 August 2022, may continue to be placed on the market and on-board EU ships until 15 August 2025 provided no other date is stated in column 6 as “last placing on board”. 

The 7th Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1667 contains no new MED items. However, for some maritime equipment, new or updated testing standards have been introduced as indicated by “(NEW ROW)” in column 1 and are applicable for the “first placing on the market” from 10 October 2023; as shown in this example:

For the following marine equipment, new or updated standards have been introduced:

  • MED/1.1 – Lifebuoys
  • MED/1.4 – Lifejackets
  • MED/1.5a, b, c – Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits designed to be worn in conjunction WITH a lifejacket
  • MED/1.6a, b, c – Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits designed to be worn WITHOUT a lifejacket
  • MED/1.12 – Inflatable life rafts
  • MED/1.13 – Rigid life rafts
  • MED/1.14a, b – Automatically self-righting life rafts
  • MED/1.15 – Canopied reversible life rafts
  • MED/1.17a – Lifeboats: Davit-launched lifeboats
  • MED/1.17b – Lifeboats: Free-fall lifeboats
  • MED/1.17c – Davit-launched lifeboats used as a rescue boat
  • MED/1.18 – Rigid rescue boats
  • MED/1.19 – Inflated rescue boats
  • MED/1.20a, b – Fast rescue boats
  • MED/1.39 – Open reversible life rafts
  • MED/2.10 – On-board exhaust gas cleaning systems
  • MED/3.30b – Portable oxygen analysis and/or gas detection equipment
  • MED/3.42a – Inert gas systems: Whole system
  • MED/4.9 – Rate-of-turn indicator
  • MED/4.18 – Search and rescue locating devices (SRLD): 9 GHz SAR transponder (SART)
  • MED/4.20 – Rudder angle indicator
  • MED/4.22 – Pitch indicator
  • MED/4.59 – Integrated navigation system
  • MED/5.1 – VHF radio capable of transmitting and receiving DSC and radiotelephony
  • MED/5.2 – VHF DSC watch-keeping receiver
  • MED/5.3 – NAVTEX receiver
  • MED/5.4 – EGC receiver
  • MED/5.5 – HF marine safety information (MSI) equipment (HF NBDP receiver)
  • MED/5.6 – 406 MHz EPIRB (COSPAS-SARSAT)
  • 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/5.17 – Portable survival craft two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus
  • MED/5.20 – Fire-fighter two-way radiotelephone apparatus

Certification and Declaration of Conformity

Manufacturers need to have valid MED certification (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 a Declaration of Conformity.

The Declaration of Conformity issued by the manufacturer for products produced after 10 October 2023 shall follow the 7th Implementing Regulation.

Manufacturers are requested to compare the conformity of their products with the design, construction and performance requirements as well as with 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.

As of 10 October 2023, MED certificates will be issued by DNV’s notified bodies according to the 7th Implementing Regulation after a positive outcome of the EC assessment procedure.

Recommendations

  • DNV recommends that its customers inform themselves and become familiar with the updated Implementing Regulation as published in the Official Journal of the EU.

References

Contact

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