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. These Wheel Mark approved products 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 like TÜV SÜD 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. To be Wheel Mark approved, 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 Wheel Mark certification requires the product to demonstrate compliance with relevant International Maritime Organization resolutions.

The Marine Equipment Directive is intended to enhance safety at sea and improve the prevention of marine pollution. The Directive establishes testing standards and criteria for product conformity assessment. To ensure the free circulation of marine equipment within the EU, the Marine Equipment Directive has also established a harmonised system for the type approval procedure.

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 we are 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. TÜV SÜD’s local auditors deliver you global expertise that which will save you both time and money.

Our efficient Wheel Mark certification and testing process enables you to achieve faster time to market, cost effective testing and certification, and reduced management and administrative overheads.

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

• 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’s appointment can be conducted by our own accredited laboratory.

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 RED or EMC Directive manufacturing obligations.
• Meet the FCC and Industry Canada certification requirements to market the product in North America.