Activites

• 2003/08/26 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Directive 2003/44
  • OJ L 214 26.08.2003, p. 0018-0035
• 2003/06/16 Final act signed
• 2003/06/16 End of procedure in Parliament
• #2510
• 2003/05/19 Council Meeting
• 2003/05/14 Decision by Parliament, 3rd reading
  • T5-0208/2003 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution approving the joint text agreed by the conciliation committee. (Please see the summary dated 12/03/03.)�

• 2003/05/13 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2003/04/09 Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs
  • 3615/2003
• 2003/03/12 Report tabled for plenary, 3rd reading
  • A5-0119/2003
• 2003/03/12 Final decision by Conciliation Committee
• 2003/02/18 Formal meeting of Conciliation Committee
• #2480
• 2003/01/21 Council Meeting
• 2002/09/26 Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading
  • T5-0447/2002 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Martin CALLANAN (EPP-ED, United Kingdom) on recreational craft. (Please refer to the document dated 10/09/02.) Parliament also inserted a clause to the effect that, in the context of in-use compliance testing, Member States' competent authorities may, in the case of justified suspicion, inspect a representative proportion of craft place on the market to verify whether emission limit values are being complied with. Such in-use compliance testing will be free of charge.�

• 2002/09/25 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2002/09/10 Vote in committee, 2nd reading
  • A5-0288/2002
• 2002/05/30 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 2nd reading
• #2422
• 2002/04/22 Council Meeting
  • 15546/2/2001 summary

    The Common position maintains the approach proposed by the Commission, but takes on board some of the 42 amendments adopted by the European Parliament. Some of those amendments had also already been accepted by the Commission in its modified proposal. This approach is justified, because some modifications are of a technical nature or intended to clarify certain issues related to Directive 94/25/EC. Others deal with exhaust gas and noise emissions but for example aim to avoid unnecessary restrictions on boats intended for personal use and not put on the Community market. In some cases, provisions have been clarified in order to take account of the latest technical developments. The Commission is pleased to note that the Common Position adopted by the Council satisfies to a large extent the intention of the Commission's proposal to regulate exhaust and noise emissions from engines on recreational craft and offers very good technical solutions. The Common Position introduces the following important innovations to the original Commission proposal: - exception for craft built for own use : an exception for noise emissions regarding craft built for own use and not put on the Community market simplifies issues and avoids high costs for individuals who should not face an unnecessary burden; - definition of Boat Design Category D : this sub-paragraph includes an amended definition of Boat Design Category D, as suggested by the Task Force which has been convened by the Commission; - provisions on fire fighting equipment : the harmonised provisions on fire fighting equipment have been strengthened and clarified; - simplification of noise testing for SMEs : in order to ease the burden for SMEs, the reference boat procedure and the relevant noise tests have been complemented by the alternative of applying simple limit values; - more detailed list of possible items to be included in the Commission's report : the subject of constantly improving EU legislation in order to further reduce emissions and increase environmental protection has been strengthened by inserting detailed points for consideration in the report to be presented by the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament.�

• 2001/10/31 Modified legislative proposal published
  • COM(2001)0636 summary

    Other than those amendments which simply add clarity to the text, the main amendments which the Commission feels able to accept in full can be summarised as follows: - Provisions for the simplification of noise testing procedures. This amendment introduces an alternative method to demonstrate compliance with the noise provisions, thereby alleviating the compliance cost for small boat builders producing low speed craft. - Changes concerning the distinction of stern drive engines into two categories. - Deletion of the obligation to place a CE mark on personal watercraft engines. Given that these engine form an integral part of the final product, the Commission agrees with the Parliament that it is sufficient to affix the CE mark to the personal watercraft. Those amendments accepted in part or in principle can be summarised as follows: - In terms of exempting craft built for own use from the noise requirements, the Commission can accept this, with the following qualification; " craft built for own use, provided that they are not subsequently placed on the Community market during a period of five years". - Engines subjected to a major overhaul should fall under the scope of the Directive with regard to exhaust emissions when "first placed on the market and/or put into service after the date of entry into force of the present Directive." - Similarly, in terms of noise emissions the Commission accepts in principle the clarification that the proposed Directive applies to products "first placed on the market and/or put into service after the dat of entry into force of the present Directive." - The Commission can accept in principle the introduction of a distinction for stern drive engines into two categories, namely those with integral exhaust and those without integral exhaust. - The introduction of a distinction between replacement of the engine, major modification of an engine and major conversion of a craft. Those amendments rejected by the Commission can be summarised as follows: - Deletion of the provisions relating to comitology. The Commission continues to aim for a regulatory Committee to advise the Commission on measures relating to the modification of technical provisions. - The exclusion of steam powered craft from the Directive. - The exemption of engines on craft built for own use from the relevant exhaust emission requirements. The Commission points out that exhaust emission is the responsibility of the engine manufacturer. - A more generic definition of classic engines is rejected by the Commission on the grounds that it is contrary to the intention of the initial proposal to exempt vintage engines of a unique design and fitted to a historical craft only. - The application of more stringent limits in specific inland waters at national level is rejected since this falls under Member State legislation. - More stringent emission limits for ecologically sensitivewaters is rejected. - An amendment requiring ignition protected equipment to refer to petrol engines only. - An amendment seeking the exemption for manufacturers of stern drive engines with integral exhausts from affixing the CE mark. - An amendment introducing changes to the definition of boat design category D is rejected. - Removing the allowance of 3dB for twin engines and multiple engine units is similarly rejected on the grounds that the limits foreseen are thought to be technologically achievable for single engine boats.�

  • DG [{'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/', 'title': 'Enterprise and Industry'}],
• #2378
• 2001/10/29 Council Meeting
• 2001/07/05 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
  • T5-0395/2001 summary

    The European Parliament adopted the report by Mr Martin Callanan (EPP-ED, UK). A majority backed the view of the rapporteur regarding the scope of the Directive and adopted amendments accordingly. Among the technical amendments adopted, one seeks to impose stricter limit values for exhaust gases on recreational craft using lakes. It was argued that lakes, as standing waters, were particularly vulnerable and that they might be used as a source of drinking water. Parliament also called on Member States to consider promoting the use of biodegradable fuels at national level as a way of drastically reducing the pollution of water by lubrification oils.�

• 2001/06/19 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A5-0218/2001
• #X014
• 2001/03/08 Council Meeting
• 2000/10/27 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 2000/10/12 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(2000)0639 summary

    PURPOSE: to modify Directive 94/25/EC on the approximation of provisions of the Member States relating to recreational craft. CONTENT: Directive 94/25/EC is a New Approach Directive dealing with the design and construction of recreational craft. It became fully operational in June 1998, after a 4-year transition period. The purpose of the proposed amendment to this Directive is to include harmonised provisions on exhaust and noise emissions from engines intended to be installed on recreational craft. The proposed Directive lays down limits: - for exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate pollutants, with different limits depending on engine rated power for 2-smoke spark-ignition, 4-stroke spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines; - for noise emissions for the boat/engine installation, depending on power rating and the type of engine and its installation (e.g. inboard/stern drive, outboard drive, personal watercraft, single or multiple engine installations). Against this background, the main justification for this proposed Directive is the fact that environment and industrial policies are both important pillars for the achievement of sustainable development and increased interrelation between these policies will promote environmental protection, competitiveness, innovation and employment. Moreover, the aim of the proposed modification to is to: - contribute to the smooth functioning of the internal market; - promote harmonised Community legislation to regulate exhaust and noise emission of recreational marine engines and avoid fragmentation and possible barriers ot trade; - protect human health, the well-being of citizens and the environment by reducing exhaust and noise emissions of petrol and diesel engines intended for recreational craft and personal watercraft. The legal basis of the proposed Directive is Article 95 of the Treaty. The objectives of the proposed modification aims to ensure the free movement of products within the Community and to protect the health and well-being of citizens and the environment. Discrepancies in the national regulations to control exhaust and noise emissions of recreational marine engines could lead to barriers to trade and infringe on the free movement of products, which is the exclusive competence of the Commission. Finally, the proposed measure is a shared competence with the Member States of the EU.�

  • DG [{'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/', 'title': 'Enterprise and Industry'}],

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(2000)0639
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A5-0218/2001
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0395/2001
• Modified legislative proposal published: COM(2001)0636
• Council position published: 15546/2/2001
• Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A5-0288/2002
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T5-0447/2002
• Report tabled for plenary, 3rd reading: A5-0119/2003
• Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs: 3615/2003
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 3rd reading: T5-0208/2003
• : Directive 2003/44
• : OJ L 214 26.08.2003, p. 0018-0035

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)