European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani has welcomed the approval of the European Parliament of the recreational boats directive. It will reduce the boat’s annual emissions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons by 20% and emissions of particulate matters by 34%.
This is valid for several millions of motor boats, sailing boats, jet skis and other recreational crafts that navigate the European shores, lakes and rivers. In summer NOx concentrations of recreational craft can be significant in water tourist resorts. In addition the revised Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) will also improve market surveillance, such as rules on CE marking. Member States will have to ensure that adequate checks are carried out, both at the EU external borders and within the EU including visits to premises of producers/importers to ensure that recreational crafts presenting a danger are not made available on the market. Finally boat safety will be strengthened as new habitable multihull craft can no longer invert or must have sufficient buoyancy to remain afloat in the inverted position.
European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship said: “I thank the EP and welcome its decision to follow our line of making recreational boats more respectful of our marine environment. This is not only good for the environment, as it will also improve the quality of holiday resorts and boost job creation in the tourism industry. Cleaner and safer boats will help recreational craft enterprises save costs as they will be able to serve the world market with a single production line as we are aligning our standards to world standards. The EP decision is therefore supporting our goal of strengthening industrial production in Europe.”
