The mark which is affixed to products in compliance with the Marine Equipment Directive consists of a ships wheel together with the identification number of the Notified Body which carries out the production surveillance together with the last 2 digits of the year of manufacture.

 

The Marine Equipment Directive 96/98 EN has came into force on January 1st 1999 and covers a range of equipment carried on board ships registered under the flags of the European Union Member States. It was established to ensure that equipment which must comply with the requirements of international conventions (e.g. SOLAS) agreed by the International Maritime Organization also meets common standards of safety and performance across the EU. Approval requirements are also harmonized which ensures certificates issued in one Member State are accepted by all States across the EU. The Directive applies to all ‘Community Registered Ships’ and is mandatory from January 1, 2001.

 

The Marine Equipment Directive lists the required modules, type examination and attestation requirements for each product. 

 

This is the EC Type Examination (formally Type Approval) and is the procedure by which the Notified Body ascertains and attests that a specimen of the product, representative of the envisaged production, meets the relevant provisions of the MED. The Notified Body either tests or witnesses tests and certifies (via a Type Examination Certificate) that the specimen complies with the criteria given in the MSC 307(88) International code for application of fire test procedures.

 

This module relates to production quality assurance and is linked therefore to ISO 9002 certification.  The manufacturer must operate to an approved quality system which itself is subject to periodic surveillance. The quality system must apply to the production process, final product inspection and to quality control testing.

 

Life saving appliances

Marine Pollution Prevention

Fire Protection

Navigation Equipment

Radio Communication Equipment

 

 

1. Client complete application form and submits this with product details to Notified body

2. Notified body decide on a test programme

3.Set up and conduct a pre-test inspection visit to the manufacturing plant to check the factory production control system. This checks that the product is manufactured under a quality-controlled system and includes the witnessing of the manufacture of the product. The specimens to be tested will be identified and inspector oversees the transport arrangements to the test laboratory. A report is issued covering the visit.

4. Conduct the tests and issue the reports.

5. Issue the module B and module D certification and enter clients and product details into worldwide product approvals database.

6. Conduct factory inspection annually.

7. Certificates / product approval reviewed every 5 years.

 

 

IMO FTPC Part 1: Non-combustibility test

IMO FTPC Part 2: Smoke and toxicity test

IMO FTPC Part 3: Test for A,B and F Class Divisions

IMO FTPC Part 4: Fire Test for fire door control system

IMO FTPC Part 5: Fire Test for surface flammability

IMO FTPC Part 7: Fire Test for vertically supported textiles and films

IMO FTPC Part 8: Fire Test for upholstered furniture

IMO FTPC Part 9: Fire Test for bedding components

IMO FTPC Part 10: Fire Test for high-speed craft

IMO FTPC Part 11: Fire-resisting divisions Test for high-speed craft