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MARKING {CE}
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Homologation (Certification) CE Marking for Boats and Cars
Homologation (Certification) CE Marking for Boats and Cars
The “CE Marking” also known as“CE Certificate”. The CE Marking Certification for Yachts and Boats and the type or individual approval for Cars is a legal requirement, and therefore, mandatory by the European Community and its member states.
Approvals and the CE Mark demonstrate that the manufacturer has evaluated the product and therefore considers it to meet the safety, health, and environmental protection requirements demanded by the European Union.
Homologation Certification CE Marking Boats and Car homologations – NOT an OPTION – NOT a CHOICE.
The CE Marking Certification Approval for Yachts and Boats and the type or individual approval for Cars controls that any Yacht / Recreational craft (up to 24m), car or motorcycle, being sold, purchased or put into service within the European Union, must comply with the requirements stipulated in the Directive dedicated to its sector and present a visual identification demonstrating its compliance.
Once this process has been successfully completed, the Declaration/Certificate of Conformity (DOC/COC) will be delivered (along with the rest of the EC documentation in the case of a yacht/recreational craft).
Types of Approvals for Yachts / Boats and Cars / Motorcycles
There are many products that must carry the CE Marking Certification Approval for Yachts and Boats and the type or individual approval for Cars – “The CE Marking“ and therefore many harmonized Directives and ISOs.
Here we are only going to briefly cover theCE Marking Certification Approval for Yachts and Boats and the type or individual approval for Cars required to obtain the CE Certificate for Boats. Or the approval/CoC for Cars and Motorcycles.
With a focus on our specialty, which is yachts and recreational boats.
EC Directive for Recreational Craft
Directive 2013/53/EU (RCD II)
ROYAL DECREE 98/2016 (B.O.E. of March 15, 2016)
Vehicle Directive
Directive 2007/46/EC – Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
Regulations for Motorcycles
Regulation 168/2013 (EU)
Directive 2013/53/EU (RCD II) relating to recreational craft between 2.5m and 24m in length (new, used, converted, imported, and refurbished/rehabilitated) and personal watercraft. Engines and marine components
Directive 2007/46 EC and its update in Regulation (EU) 2018/858 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles
Regulation (EU) 168/2013 is the regulatory framework in force for the approval and market surveillance of such category L vehicles, i.e. motorcycles, mopeds and light two- or three-wheeled vehicles in the European Union.
The differences between Yacht and Boat Homologation and Car/Vehicle Homologation
This is where things get complicated, but that’s why we’re here. We consider this an opportune moment to make a few important clarifications.
Is Directive 2007/46/EC an “EC” directive for cars?
Directive 2007/46/EC is a key legal framework in the European Union related to the type approval of motor vehicles and their trailers. This directive establishes the European Type Approval (WVTA) system, which sets out the common technical requirements that vehicles must meet in order to be sold and registered in the EU.
But — is this the same as “CE Marking”?
No. The CE marking is a specific label placed on many products (such as electronics, machinery, toys, boats, medical devices) to demonstrate compliance with European health, safety, and environmental protection directives.
Directive 2007/46/EC does not grant a CE marking to cars.
Instead, it creates a formal approval process in which manufacturers submit detailed technical documentation and vehicles undergo testing to ensure they meet safety and environmental standards.
Once approved, the manufacturer receives a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for the vehicle.
This CoC proves conformity, but is not a CE marking visible on the vehicle.
Why is this difference between Approvals for Boats and Cars important?
The CE marking is a visible label affixed to many industrial and consumer products, indicating conformity, declared by the manufacturer or verified by a third party, with EU legislation.
Due to their complexity and safety risks, vehicles require a much more rigorous official approval process before they can be registered.
For this reason, cars and motorcycles do not carry the CE marking, although they comply with European standards under Directive 2007/46/EC and its updates (such as Regulation (EU) 2018/858).
| Aspect | CE marking (e.g. Vessel – Machinery) | Directive 2007/46/EC (cars) |
|---|---|---|
| Marking on the product | CE label visible | There is no CE marking on the vehicles |
| Proof of conformity | Manufacturer’s declaration and tests | Certificate of Conformity (CoC) after approval |
| Approval process | Self-certification or notified body | Formal approval with documentation and technical tests |
| Application | Electronics, toys, boats, machinery | Cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers |
Directive 2007/46/EC regulates vehicle type approval, but does not create a CE marking for cars or motorcycles.
The process of “type approval” process under this directive ensures that vehicles comply with EU standards, but does not imply that they carry a visible CE label like yachts and boats below 24m.
| Appearance | Vehicles (cars and motorcycles) | Recreational boats |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable regulations | Directive 2007/46/EC and Regulation 2018/858 | Directive 2013/53/EU |
| Visible marking on the product | No (CoC certificate is delivered) | Yes, CE marking visible on the vessel |
| Approval process | Rigorous technical approval with testing and documentation | Conformity assessment and CE marking |
| Application | :New vehicles and individual approval for imported vehicles | ; Imported vessels manufactured in series and individually manufactured |
Imports and Certification Approval CE Marking for Vessels and CoC for Cars
The registration of the CE Marking Certification Approval for Yachts and Boats and the type or individual approval for Cars – “CE Marking” with each Directive is essential for marketing, selling or putting into service any recreational craft, 2, 3 or 4-wheel vehicles within the EU community territory.
Regarding the import of boats and motor vehicles from third countries (USA, South America, Dubai, Turkey, China, Canada including the UK/Gibraltar, etc.) whether for sale or for personal use, you must be aware of the obligation that they must be approved and therefore have a valid CE Marking Certification Approval for yachts and boats and a type or individual approval for cars.
In most cases it is used where Approval Certification CE Marking Individual vessels and Individual approvals for cars, by individuals or businesses, and of a single unit (known as PCA) are possible.
The owner, or the person responsible for the import and commissioning of the vessel, is considered the “builder” for the purposes of applying the Directive and will therefore appear on the Declaration/Certificate of Conformity (DOC/COC) that will be delivered along with the rest of the EC documentation.
If you are a boat manufacturer looking to approve a design or production model in categories A, B, C, or D, please contact us directly. We can also help you.
Declaration or Certificate of Conformity CE / COC - DOC
The Certificate of Conformity or Declaration of Conformity for Approval, Certification, and CE Marking of Boats and Cars, vehicles, or any other product approved with the CE marking is essential.
At least in our sector, it is important to clarify that the certificate of conformity goes TOGETHER with the CE Marking Certificate for Vessels and is therefore part of the CE documentation set, to complete the CE Marking Certification for Vessels, which will be delivered at the end of a satisfactory product approval.
It is good to clarify this point because there is a misunderstanding among many who think that it is only necessary to acquire the Certificate of Conformity and ignore the CE Marking, when in fact both belong to the same process and You cannot obtain a COC/DOC without completing the CE Marking Certification Approval for Vessels. The same applies to cars, but without obtaining the CE Marking.
The important thing to keep in mind after reading this section is that for Vessel Approval, Certification, and CE Marking services and individual vehicle approval, Gorian Customs Agent will provide you with all the CE documentation (in the case of vessels), and everything will be clarified in our CE service contract before starting the work.
How to Obtain CE Mark Certification Approval for Boats or Individual Approval for Cars?
How to Obtain the Declaration of Conformity?
We believe it’s never been easier. All the solutions you need to import, export, and/or obtain CE Marking Certification for recreational vessels are under one roof with the same company, without the need to subcontract. third party services!
Our general manager is qualified as a Naval Expert and CE inspector authorized by the European Union to inspect and approve recreational vessels with the CE marking up to 24m in length.
Bureaucracy, red tape, and paperwork with government agencies always create uncertainty in the steps to follow due to a lack of knowledge.
After years of working in the sector, the biggest concern for importers of yachts and recreational boats is the initial procedures and what they must complete once the import arrives in Europe.
Also when they want to hire the services of an inspector to manage the CE Certification and Certificate of Conformity for boats, cars, or motorcycles.
But these concerns only existed before learning about GORIAN Customs Agents’ solutions.
We have all the open and pre-established channels to carry out all the necessary procedures and paperwork to import and legalize your boat, vehicle, or motorcycle in the EU via the Homologation Certification CE Marking for Boats and Cars.
These services are valid for PERMANENT or TEMPORARY imports.
Our Customs Brokers are the only customs agency with a naval expert and CE Inspector on staff who forms part of the company’s management.
We guarantee your peace of mind and confidence, knowing you’re surrounded by trained professionals ready to guide you. In just a few steps, you can accomplish what would have been very difficult and complicated without GORIAN Customs Brokers. This avoids unnecessary bureaucracy and delays.
Because the CE Marking (CE Vessel Certification Approval) is an essential requirement for many procedures, including authorizing the registration of the vessel and complying with other legal requirements demanded by various official bodies, in order to be able to carry out the navigation and traffic that each client plans in European waters.
As specialists in Customs Brokers for the nautical sector, our responsibility is to manage import clearance (DUA) for vessels originating from third countries. And transits, shipments, and imports for vessels from the European Union or Spain.
CE Marked or not CE Marked
But after paying all the paperwork, is it worth importing a boat or car?
In our opinion yes and yes!
If it weren’t worth it, no one would do it… and our CE Inspector would have much less work, because there wouldn’t be as much of a market. But if there are importers and vessels to approve… that means there’s a market and imports.
Not only from professionals and brokers, but increasingly from the private sector.
People looking for a CE Marking Certification solution for Boats and Cars, usually import boats and cars, because the model they are looking for is not available in Spain or Europe.
Or simply because after taking into account the costs of procedures and paperwork, they still save money.
But, primarily, people import boats without the CE Mark and cars without European approval due to a combination of the two previous points. For example, boats imported from the United States are almost always cheaper, newer, and have better finishes at lower prices than those available in Europe… if those models are available in Europe at all.
This operation is not limited to vessels originating in the U.S. It is also very common to import from Canada, Türkiye, China, Dubai, and South America, among others.
