Marine Equipment Directive

What is THE Marine Equipment Directive?

The Marine Equipment Directive (MED) covers a wide range of products used on ships that are registered under the flags of EU member states and European Free Trade Associations (EFTA) states, and which relate to Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), including life-saving appliances, navigation equipment and radio installations.

Under the regulation, manufacturers of such equipment cannot self-declare that their products are compliant. Instead, they must gain independent certification from a European Union (EU) Notified body before their products can display the Wheel Mark. The Wheel Mark must be accompanied by the Notified Body’s identification number and the year the Wheel Mark was placed on the product. In order to gain this approval all products must undergo testing, type examination and production control.

While the Marine Equipment Directive (2014/90/EU) is primarily aimed at enabling market entry to Europe, certificates issued under this directive are widely accepted throughout the world as the certification requires the product to demonstrate compliance with relevant International Maritime Organization resolutions.

Why is the Marine Equipment Directive important?

The MED is intended to:

• Enhance safety at sea
• Improve the prevention of marine pollution
• Establish a harmonised system for type approval procedure
• Create testing standards
• Produce criteria for conformity assessment
• Ensure free circulation of marine equipment within the EU
  

Why choose TÜV SÜD for Marine Equipment Directive?

TÜV SÜD is one of the world’s leading radio and telecommunications certification bodies and is a Notified Body for conformity assessment procedures under the MED (for Modules B, D, E, F and G). As the certification body for TÜV SÜD in the UK and Europe you only have to deal will a single point of contact from our experienced project management team. Consequently, our efficient testing and certification process enables you to achieve faster time to market, cost effective testing and certification, as well as lower management and administrative overheads.

The scope of TÜV SÜD's appointment under the MED:

• Annex MED/1 (Life-saving appliances)
• Annex MED/4 (Navigation Equipment)
• Annex MED/5 (Radiocommunication Equipment)
• Annex MED/6 (Equipment required under COLREG72)

Testing for most product types within the scope of TÜV SÜD appointment can be conducted by our own accredited laboratory.

TÜV SÜD's services 

TÜV SÜD provides marine equipment suppliers with a variety of services, as appropriate to your intended market. As a globally respected provider of test and certification services, TÜV SÜD’s local auditors will deliver you global expertise that which will save you both time and money

Through TÜV SÜD you may:

• Obtain a MED type examination or Unit Verification Certificate.
• Receive certification for compliance with manufacturing requirements, through Module D/E or F.
• Gain a Radio Equipment Directive (RED) opinion or EMC Directive Statement for non-SOLAS use within the EU.
• Through a TÜV SÜD PQC certify that you comply with the RED or EMC Directive manufacturing obligations.
• Meet the FCC and Industry Canada certification requirements to market the product in North America.

Customer Certification Forms

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