Background:

• Before the UK withdrew from the EU, its regulatory regime relied on the implementation of the EU’s marine equipment directive (2014/90/EU).
• The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 with an agreement which included a transition period. During this transition period, the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) and other EU legislation have continued to apply to the UK. However, the MED will no longer apply after the transition period has ended.
• The MCA has implemented its own regulations to establish UK conformity assessment procedures for certification of marine equipment.

UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has fully appointed DNV UK Ltd. (0097) as a UK Approved Body for the approval of marine equipment according to the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations (MER) 2025 in force since 5th January 2026.

As result the DNV can provide UK marine equipment conformity assessment procedures for all modules covering the full scope of product categories:

• Lifesaving Appliances 
• Marine Pollution Prevention Equipment 
• Fire Protection Equipment 
• Navigation Equipment 
• Radiocommunications Equipment 
• Navigation Lights 
• Self-contained compressed-air operated breathing apparatus for entry and work in gas-filled space 
• Water level detectors

Equipment manufactured after 31 December 2022 that shall be placed onboard ships with UK flag need to bear the Red Ensign Mark indicating compliance with the MER. This compliance includes approval of the equipment in question by an UK Approved Body.

DNV is aware about the MER certification requirement are mandatory since 1 January 2023. 

Any applications of:

1. equipment already MED certified by DNV
2. equipment MED certified by other EU notified body
3. equipment currently neither certified by DNV nor any other UK or EU approved body are welcome.

Our experts and support staff in central units and the field organization are doing their utmost to satisfy the needs of the industry. 

References to UK regulations:

• Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2025 SI 2025/1280 in force since 5th January 2026
  This instrument sets out the United Kingdom conformity assessment system for marine equipment placed on ships registered in the United Kingdom. It requires, subject to some limited exceptions, such equipment to be compliant with applicable international or United Kingdom standards. It sets out how such equipment is to be assessed as being compliant with the applicable standards and details the offences and other sanctions that apply where the instrument’s requirements are not complied with.
  The instrument aims to simplify marine equipment regulations by consolidating and combining regulatory changes into one piece of legislation, and to provide clarity for industry.
  It revokes and replaces the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1025) (the “2016 Regulations”), the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/470) (the “First 2019 Regulations”) and the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) (Amendment) (UK and US Mutual Recognition Agreement) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1304) (the “Second 2019 Regulations”).
• MIN 590 Amendment 5 (M+F) – UK conformity assessment procedures for marine equipment published on 19 July 2022
  This notice updates key information regarding the UK’s marine equipment conformity assessment regime, including in relation to the end of the ‘standstill’ period on 31 December 2022, after which date EU approved marine equipment will no longer be able to be placed on board UK vessels (with the exception of ‘spares’, and equipment manufactured before 1 January 2023). This notice provides important updates and outlines key exceptions to that. It also provides additional guidance to industry in preparation for that 1 January 2023 date.
• Merchant Shipping Notice MSN 1874 (M+F) Amendment 11 published on 10 December 2025
  This notice gives technical information and guidance on the procedures for obtaining type approval in conformity with the regulations. It also gives information regarding the UK’s policy for enforcing these requirements, and other standards to be applied to equipment on board UK ships.

Annex I set out in full the design, construction and performance requirements and testing standards for marine equipment to which approval by an approved body is required in accordance with regulation 5.

FAQs: