Reference documents
Shipbuilding and recreational craft sectors benefit from EU efforts.
The EU has contributed to the development of the maritime industries, in both the shipbuilding and the recreational craft sectors. The industrial shipbuilding sector is guided by the EU through policy actions, such as communications and studies and a European sector strategy (LeaderSHIP2015) , while the recreational craft sector has seen the introduction of legally binding EU directives, which cover design and construction, including specific requirements on noise and exhaust emissions.
The EU is committed to supporting the maritime industries' competitiveness across the Union. Achieving a global, level playing field for trade and technical rules and regulations, and protecting consumers' health and the environment are among its main objectives.
On the one side, the shipbuilding sector and its truly global products are addressed by European and international frameworks on rules and regulations. In terms of industrial policy, the LeaderSHIP 2015 initiative is the coordinated response from the European shipbuilding industry and the EU to the competitive challenges the sector is facing.
On the other side, EU action in the recreational craft sector has produced legally binding measures which have facilitated competition, consumer protection, respect for the environment and international trade in the recreational craft sector. The main EU contribution to this field is made by directive 94/25/EC, amended by directive 2003/44/EC.
(See Safety and environment: EU standard requirements for recreational crafts ).
Study on Competitiveness of the European Shipbuilding Industry
This study 
[4 MB] builds on the framework provided by the LeaderSHIP2015 initiative, so as to deliver knowledge and insights into the key drivers of an innovative, competitive and sustainable European shipbuilding industry.
The study starts by providing a recapitulation of the some of the key historical trends in shipbuilding, highlighting the dominant market share of Asian yards in the industry today, while underlining the strength of the European sector in certain market segments.
The study analyses the competitiveness of the sector and the present economic crisis. The study concludes by reviewing the policy guidelines agreed for the sector within the framework of LeaderSHIP2015 strategy and its 2007 Progress report.
Stocktaking study on the current status and developments of technology and regulations related to the environmental performance of recreational marine engines
Article 2 of Directive 2003/44/EC specifies that by 31 December 2006 the Commission shall submit a report on the possibilities of further improving the environmental characteristics of engines and consider inter alia the need to revise the boat design categories.
If deemed appropriate, in the light of this report, the Commission shall by 31 December 2007 submit appropriate proposals to the European Parliament and the Council. The Commission shall in the light of the experience gained take account of:
- the need to further reduce emissions of air pollutants and noise in order to meet environment protection requirements;
- the possible benefits of a system for 'in-use compliance';
- the availability of cost efficient techniques for controlling emissions;
- the need to reduce evaporation and spill of fuel;
- the possibility to agree on international standards for exhaust and noise emissions;
- the possible simplifications of the system for conformity assessment procedures.
The aim of the study contract is to make a complete and detailed inventory and comparative assessment of the current status of and of the existing and expected developments in technology and legislation worldwide concerning the environmental performance of recreational marine engines, taking into account the issues referred to in article 2 of Directive 2003/44/EC.
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Executive Summary Report [232 KB]
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Final report [4 MB]
Impact Assessment study
In follow-up to the stocktaking study, the Commission services have awarded in December 2005 a contract to study the feasibility and impact of possible scenarios for further emission reduction measures for recreational craft engines.
More details can be found in the contract award notice [57 KB] .
Complementary Impact Assessment study
From the results of the above Impact Assessment study emerged that each of the scenario options investigated would have a relatively low potential to reduce the contribution by recreational craft to overall pollution, and would entail a social cost which would affect in particular those European Small and Medium Sized Enterprises manufacturing or marinising engines mainly for the domestic market.
In view of these conclusions emerged that further study work was considered necessary to identify and assess the impact of the most ambitious - but feasible - scenario to maximise the emission reduction potential of recreational craft engines and to mitigate at the same time the social and economic impact on small and medium sized enterprises that could result from such approach. (See also Commission Communication COM(2007)313 )
A complementary Impact Assessment study has been carried out in 2008 to identify such scenario, and to assess its impact covering technical, social, environmental, and economical aspects.
Special attention has been paid to the impact on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and possible mitigating measures have been identified to limit the negative economical and social impacts the identified scenario may have on these enterprises.
The assessed impacts of the emission reduction scenario and of the mitigating measures for SMEs identified in this study have been compared with those of the scenarios assessed in the previous impact assessment study through a multi-criteria analysis, using efficiency, effectiveness, consistency as criteria and the "do-nothing" or "no policy change" option as the baseline for the comparison.
More details can be found here:
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