MED - WHEEL MARKING OF MARINE EQUIPMENT
THE MARINE EQUIPMENT DIRECTIVE (MED)
The Marine Equipment Directive (96/98/EC) seeks to harmonize the approval of equipment placed on board
EU registered ships. Equipment which is listed in Annex A.1 of the Directive 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’.
Directive 96/98/EC will be replaced by Directive 2014/90/EU, which comes into effect on 18th September
2016, but which does not make any significant changes to the conformity procedures.
ANNEX A
Only those products listed in Annex A.1 of the Directive 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. Equipment under SOLAS Chapter II-1 (Water level detectors)
Each type of equipment has its own A.1 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.
Marine Equipment listed in Annex A.2 do not have appropriate or agreed testing standards, but may be moved
to Annex A.1 when a suitable standard is approved.
The European Commission update Annex A with new products and testing standards, typically once per year.
BTTG™ - NOTIFIED BODY 0338
BTTG™ Testing & Certification Ltd. is Notified Body 0338 under the Marine Equipment Directive for Fire
Protection Equipment. Our scope includes the following items: A.1/3.1 Primary decks covering A.1/3.3 Fire-
fighter’s outfit: protective clothing (close proximity clothing) A.1/3.4 Fire-fighter’s outfit: boots A.1/3.5 Fire-
fighter’s outfit: gloves A.1/3.6 Fire-fighter’s outfit: helmet A.1/3.7 Self-contained compressed-air- operated
breathing apparatus A.1/3.18 Surface materials and floor coverings with low flame-spread characteristics - (c)
floor coverings A.1/3.19 Draperies, curtains and other suspended textile materials and films A.1/3.20
Upholstered furniture A.1/3.21 Bedding components A.1/3.44 Fire-fighters outfit — lifeline
BTTG™ is 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. BTTG™
Certification Services, backed by the specialist knowledge of staff from the BTTG™ accredited test
laboratories and with the assistance of external marine experts, 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
