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MED Wheel Marking - COMING SOON

MED - Wheel Marking of Marine Equipment

The Marine Equipment Directive (MED)

The Marine Equipment Directive (2014/90/EU) seeks to harmonize the approval of equipment placed on board EU registered ships. Equipment which is listed in the Annex of the implementing regulations must undergo the procedures given in the Directive, and must meet the requirements of the standards listed in the Annex. Marine Equipment which has been approved is marked with the ‘Wheel Mark’.

Implementing Regulation Annex

Only those products listed in the Annex of the implementing regulations can be Wheelmarked. The Annex is divided into several sections:

  1. Life-saving appliances
  2. Marine pollution prevention
  3. Fire protection equipment
  4. Navigation equipment
  5. Radiocommunication equipment
  6. Equipment required under COLREG 72 (Navigation lights)
  7. Other safety equipment
  8. Equipment under SOLAS Chapter II-1 (Water level detectors)

Each type of equipment has its own MED item number, and the applicable International regulations are listed. The testing standards that must be used, and the conformity procedures (Modules) that must be followed, are also listed.

The annex also lists Marine Equipment which do not have appropriate or agreed testing standards, but may be moved to the allowed list when a suitable standard is approved.

The European Commission issue new implementing regulations updating the Annex  with new products and testing standards, typically once per year.

Shirley Technologies (Europe) Limited

Following a notification by NANDO, we are excited to become a Notified Body under the Marine Equipment Directive for Fire Protection Equipment. Our scope will include the following items:

  • MED/3.1 Primary decks covering
  • MED/3.3 Fire-fighter’s outfit: protective clothing (close proximity clothing)
  • MED/3.4 Fire-fighter’s outfit: boots
  • MED/3.5 Fire-fighter’s outfit: gloves
  • MED/3.6 Fire-fighter’s outfit: helmet
  • MED/3.7 Self-contained compressed-air- operated breathing apparatus
  • MED/3.18 Surface materials and floor coverings with low flame-spread characteristics - (c) floor coverings
  • MED/3.19 Draperies, curtains and other suspended textile materials and films
  • MED/3.20 Upholstered furniture
  • MED/3.21 Bedding components
  • MED/3.44 Fire-fighters outfit — lifeline

We will also be accredited for all of the relevant Modules – B, D, E and F.

Module B - EC Type-Examination

All Fire protection equipment must undergo Module B (EC Type-Examination) by a Notified Body. The manufacturer must submit the equipment together with a Technical File for type-examination. Our Certification Services, backed by the specialist knowledge of staff and accredited test laboratories, will assess the equipment and Technical File, together with any test reports, for compliance with the relevant testing standards and International regulations.

Once approved, a Module B Certificate EC Type-Examination is issued. All Fire protection equipment must also undergo one of Modules D, E or F – checking of the product or of the production.

Modules D & E

We are also excited to become accredited for Module D (Production-Quality Assurance) and E (Product-Quality Assurance). Module D is suitable for manufacturers with an approved quality-control system, such as ISO 9001 or similar systems. Module E is for manufacturers with an approved quality system for final inspection and testing.

More information on our Module D & E services coming soon can be found here.

Module F

Shortly, following notification from NANDO, Shirley Technologies (Europe) Limited, will be accredited for Module F (Product Verification), suitable for manufacturers of marine equipment who do not have an approved Quality System.

The manufacturer presents their product in lots or batches. The Notified Body will select from the batch at random, and carry out tests to demonstrate conformity with the original equipment. Once this is done, a Module F Certificate is issued, identifying the approved batch.

The MarED Database

The details of all approved Marine Equipment are published on the MarED Database, available to the public here. Only those products with a valid Module B Certificate and also a valid Module D, E or F Certificate are visible.