Inland Waters Small Passenger Boat Code

ANNEX 7

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES’

GENERAL MUTUAL RECOGNITION CLAUSE

In relation to the standards quoted in this Code, the Commission of the European Communities’ general mutual recognition clause applies. The clause states:

Any requirement for goods or materials to comply with a specified standard should be satisfied by compliance with:    

1. a relevant standard or code of practice of a national standards body, or equivalent body of a member state of the European Community;

2. any relevant international standard recognised for use in any member state of the European Community;

3. a relevant specification acknowledged for use as a standard by a public authority of any member state of the European Community;

4. traditional procedures of manufacture of a member state of the European community, where these are the subject of a written technical description sufficiently detailed to permit assessment of the goods or materials for the use specified, or

5. a detailed specification to permit assessment for goods or materials of an innovative nature (or subject to innovative processes of manufacture, such that they cannot comply with a recognised standard or specification) and which fulfil the purpose provided by the specified standard – provided that the proposed standard, code of practice, specification or technical description provides, in use, equivalent levels of safety, suitability and fitness for purpose.