Recreational Craft Directive

Overview

Directive 2013/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 on recreational craft and personal watercraft, repealing the old RCD (Directive 94/25/EC) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union, on 28 December 2013 and became effective on 17 January 2014. Member states had two years until 18 January 2016 to transpose the Directive into national law. A one year transition period for manufacturers to make any changes to their designs followed. With effect from 18 January 2017 Directive 2013/53/EU has entirely replaced Directives 94/25/EC and 2003/44/EC.
The current RCD, Directive 2013/53/EU is sometimes referred to as RCD2 or WCD to differentiate it from its predecessors.

The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) regulates pleasure craft built and used with the European Economic Area (EEA). It applies to all recreational craft between 2.5 and 24 metres in hull length whatever the means of propulsion.
Most craft built since 16 June 1998 intended for sport & leisure must meet essential safety requirements if they are to be placed on the EEA market or put into service within the EEA.

Reference:

[1] eba.eu