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Killfire - Marine Equipment Directive (MED)
Marine Equipment Directive 96/98/EC (also known as M.E.D. 96/98/EC and often called M.E.D/MED approval) is an authorization of equipment and products for Marine industry. It is a Council Directive of 20 December 1996. The MED sets out performance and testing standards to be met by marine equipment placed on board an EL) ship. As of 18 September 2016 the only applicable MED is Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC.
The MED Wheel Mark has become a quality label for marine equipment on seagoing vessels worldwide. The new MED aligns to the principles of the EU New Legislative Framework, which is a package of measures aiming to improve market surveillance, sets clear and transparent rules for the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies and boost the quality of conformity assessments. It also clarifies the meaning and use of Wheel Marking, creates a toolbox of measures for use in product legislation and enhances its credibility.
While most EC directives require products to carrying the "CE" mark, products certified under the Marine Equipment Directive carry the "Wheel Mark".
Conformity Assessment Modules
All manufacturers producing equipment to comply with the MED require the involvement of a Notified Body approved to assess products to the MED. In the majority of cases, a Module B (EC type examination) certificate is necessary, and must be used in combination with one of the other Production Modules - D, E or F.
EC-US Mutual Recognition Agreement on marine equipment
A mutual recognition agreement between the United States and the European Community means that equipment with the wheel mark will be accepted for sale in the U.S. without additional testing or certification.
The agreement, in force since July 1, 2004, also means that companies with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) type approval will be accepted for sale in the European Community without additional testing or certification. Forty-three product types are covered by the agreement at present