RCD Exemption Certificates

If you can prove that a second-hand yacht from a third country has been in service, or has been sold in any of the regions listed below, before 16th June 1998 you are in a position to claim exemption from the requirements of the RCD.

Qualifying evidence could be in the form of invoices / receipts or other documents or combination of documents.

The Directive Exemption Certificate (DEC) has been developed by CEproof to bring together this evidence into a single authoritative document. The DEC has proved effective where the RCD status of a vessel is not obvious and where the alternative might be to make the vessel compliant.

(Click on the certificate to apply for an exemption certificate),

• Clarifies status of a vessel in relation to the RCD
• Justifies absence of a CE marking
• Can have a useful function in the legal sale of a vessel from a Third Country into the EU / EEA
• Resists restrictions being imposed on the use of a vessel according to assumed or perceived Categories
• Guards against discrimination and loss of value of non CE marked vessels at point of sale
• Carefully worded and designed, with texts clearly stated in the principal languages of the EU
• Facility for the issue of HIN for those vessels not currently inscribed with a Hull Identification Number
• Certificate is linked to the vessel by the HIN and stays with the vessel for its lifetime. ie not another form of Registration.
• Weatherproof Certificate for durability in a marine environment.
• Once off payment
• Recorded on a secure database for rapid verification of authenticity of Certificates even from remote locations
• Provides reassurance in the event of qualifying documents being inadvertently discarded

Click here for a list of countries (including dependencies) that comprise the European Economic Area (EEA).

Note: The DEC is not a legal document and may not prevent national rules being applied because the vessel is not CE marked.

Note: There are over 70 separate countries / territories around the world that are within the EU / EEA. At least 55 of these countries have extensive coastlines and ports in which a vessel may have been in service. Proof of any such service before June 16th 1998 may be adequate to establish exemption from the requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive

Boats Built For Own Use in EU

Home-Built Boats (built for one's own use) do not need to comply with RCD but the boat may not be change ownership until the boat is 5 years old (ie 5 years after completion). Before the 5 years have passed, the boat is not exempt from the RCD. Exemption certificates may not be issued to home built-boats until they are 5 years old.

Cost of Exemption Certificates

Exemption Certificates for all boats are issued for a one-off fee of £275.
(+17.5% VAT where applicable. EU clients must supply a VAT number to be exempt from VAT.)

Apply online for a RCD Exemption Certificate.