From the results of the Impact Assessment study carried out in 2005-2006 emerged that each of the scenario options investigated would have a relatively low potential to reduce the contribution by recreational craft to overall pollution, an 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.

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.

• Report (2 MB)
• Executive summary (460 kB)