Technical Standards Access


The RYA is now able to provide monthly and annual online access to the standards relevant to the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).


All watercraft built since June 1998 and intended for sport and leisure use, may only be placed on the market or put into service within the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) if it can be demonstrated that they comply with the Essential Requirements specified in the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).


While the application of most harmonised standards is not obligatory, when building watercraft to the RCD, the use of harmonised standards is certainly beneficial as their use can lead to a ‘presumption of conformity’. This means that they provide a clear and easy way to prove compliance to the relevant Essential Requirement.


Thanks to an agreement the RYA has put in place with the British Standards Institute, we are now able to offer access to these standards on a monthly or annual basis through our RYA Books App. Those with annual access will be able to download and print the standards whereas monthly subscribers will be restricted to view only.


The standards available will be kept up to date with those currently recognised as Harmonised Standards by the Official Journal of the European Union for RCD II 2013/53/EU.


To view details of the standards included in each collection and to purchase a subscription please visit the Technical Standards Access page in the RYA Web Shop here or click the specific link below:


Last updated: July 2024


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