Recreational craft industry: exhaust and noise emissions from boat engines (amend. Directive 94/25/EC)

PURPOSE: to modify Directive 94/25/EC on the approximation of provisions of the Member States relating to recreational craft. CONTENT: Directive 94/25/EC is a New Approach Directive dealing with the design and construction of recreational craft. It became fully operational in June 1998, after a 4-year transition period. The purpose of the proposed amendment to this Directive is to include harmonised provisions on exhaust and noise emissions from engines intended to be installed on recreational craft. The proposed Directive lays down limits: - for exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate pollutants, with different limits depending on engine rated power for 2-smoke spark-ignition, 4-stroke spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines; - for noise emissions for the boat/engine installation, depending on power rating and the type of engine and its installation (e.g. inboard/stern drive, outboard drive, personal watercraft, single or multiple engine installations). Against this background, the main justification for this proposed Directive is the fact that environment and industrial policies are both important pillars for the achievement of sustainable development and increased interrelation between these policies will promote environmental protection, competitiveness, innovation and employment. Moreover, the aim of the proposed modification to is to: - contribute to the smooth functioning of the internal market; - promote harmonised Community legislation to regulate exhaust and noise emission of recreational marine engines and avoid fragmentation and possible barriers ot trade; - protect human health, the well-being of citizens and the environment by reducing exhaust and noise emissions of petrol and diesel engines intended for recreational craft and personal watercraft. The legal basis of the proposed Directive is Article 95 of the Treaty. The objectives of the proposed modification aims to ensure the free movement of products within the Community and to protect the health and well-being of citizens and the environment. Discrepancies in the national regulations to control exhaust and noise emissions of recreational marine engines could lead to barriers to trade and infringe on the free movement of products, which is the exclusive competence of the Commission. Finally, the proposed measure is a shared competence with the Member States of the EU.�