A six-week public consultation on revoking and replacing the UK Marine Equipment Regulations aims to provide and improve clarity for shipowners, operators and equipment manufacturers following UK’s exit from the EU.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals revoke the 2016 Regulations and the amendments made in 2019 and replace them with a single new regulation.

The UK Mark of Conformity for marine equipment - the ‘Red Ensign’ - became mandatory on 1 January 2023 and applies to all marine equipment placed on board all UK vessels that was previously subject to the European Union’s Mark of Conformity for marine equipment (the ‘Wheel Mark’).

The proposed Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2025 will include the ability to grant exemptions (in areas of technical innovation), through the ‘Red Ensign’.

Equipment manufactured before January 2023 remains out of scope of the proposed Regulations. These Regulations will also provide vessels with the opportunity to apply for a ‘Letter of acceptance’ to install non-UK approved equipment.

The amendments will also include requirements and standards for Ballast Water Management Systems to be installed on UK ships.

MCA Director of UK Technical Maritime Services Fraser Heasley said:

"The Maritime and Coastguard Agency regularly reviews legislation to ensure the UK’s commitment to safety at sea. Marine equipment, its standards and its conformities are crucial to that work."

"Importantly, these proposals to update the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations, seek to combine the 2016 Regulations and amendments made in 2019 in the wake of the UK’s exit from the EU."