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

The Commission delivers a favourable opinion on the Common Position and notes that the Council has reached unanimity on this dossier. The Commission made two statements when the Council reached a political agreement on this proposal concerning conformity assessment procedures on the construction of personal watercraft and concerning a possible further stage of limit values in Article 2. These statements are also in line with its position at the European Parliament. In addition, the Commission has a reservation on the text on the 3 dB allowance for twin and multiple engines in Annex I, part C, item 1.1. A statement by the Commission was attached to the minutes of the Council to this respect. The reasons of the Commission's position are included in the Council minutes. Furthermore, the Commission and the Council issued a joint declaration undertaking to find a solution concerning boat design category D before the final adoption of the proposed legislation. In response to this undertaking, the Commission can accept the solution adopted by the Council which is also in line with the substance of the EP amendment.�