The Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) are the UK legal safety standards your vessel must comply with to achieve a UKCA mark. RCR is the UK-only equivalent to the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) regulations in Europe. The UKCA mark is the UK-only equivalent to the CE mark.
Any vessel covered by the Recreational Craft Regulations must display either a CE mark or a UKCA mark to be sold (or first in service) in the UK.
As an accredited UK Approved Body, we issue UKAS certificates for vessels and components covered by the UK Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR). The UKCA mark, which shows your vessel meets these requirements, can then be used on boats placed on the market in the UK.
HPiVS is also a European Notified Body accredited by INAB, licensed to issue certificates under the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). The CE mark, which shows your vessel meets these requirements, can be used on boats placed on the market in Europe including the UK.
You can also opt to display both marks if required. We can carry out both reviews to avoid duplication and reduce costs.
What are the UK Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR)?
Official Reference:
SI 2017 no. 737
The Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR) apply to the design and manufacture (but NOT operation) of watercraft (ie recreational boats and personal watercraft). It applies to vessels that have a hull length between 2.5m and 24m (8ft 2in to 78ft 8in).
It applies to all new craft as well as second-hand craft that are brought into the UK (regardless of age). The Regulations can also apply to:
- craft that has undergone a Major Craft Conversion.
- recreational craft previously used as a commercial vessel.
All boats that are within the scope must be assigned a design category. This is then used to set targets for the assessment of the craft.
The Regulations also list five groups of components which are in scope and must be UKCA marked when placed on the UK market.
Certification for boat components
We also provide the essential certification for components covered by the RCR.
- Certification for engines (exhaust and noise) and key components: steering gear, hatches and portlights, fuel hoses and fuel tanks, ignition-protected devises
- Start-in-gear protection mechanisms and systems of outboard engines
Exclusions to the RCR
There are several exclusions where compliance with the RCR is not required. This includes craft with an unconventional mode of operation such as hydrofoils. In these cases, we provide risk assessments, which can reduce liability and help you meet insurance and funder requirements.
One of the most common questions we’re asked is “are commercial boats exempt from the RCR and RCD?” The answer is not always straightforward. Please read our FAQ When is a commercial craft exempt from CE or UKCA marking under the RCD or RCR? for more information.
Craft intended solely for racing are also excluded (if they are labelled as such). If the craft is intended primarily for racing and may cruise from time to time, it is NOT excluded.
The following shall be excluded from the scope of the Regulations:
Excluded from scope:
(i) watercraft intended solely for racing, including rowing racing boats and training rowing boats, labelled as such by the manufacturer;
(ii) canoes and kayaks designed to be propelled solely by human power, gondolas and pedalos;
(iii) surfboards designed solely to be propelled by wind and to be operated by a person or persons standing;
(iv) surfboards;
(v) original historical watercraft and individual replicas thereof designed before 1950, built predominantly with the original materials and labelled as such by the manufacturer;
(vi) experimental watercraft, provided that they are not placed on the Union market;
(vii) watercraft built for own use, provided that they are not subsequently placed on the Union market during a period of five years from the putting into service of the watercraft;
(viii) watercraft specifically intended to be crewed and to carry passengers for commercial purposes, without prejudice to paragraph 3, regardless of the number of passengers;
(ix) submersibles;
(x) air cushion vehicles;
(xi) hydrofoils;
(xii) external combustion steam powered watercraft, fueled by coal, coke, wood, oil or gas;
(xiii) amphibious vehicles, i.e. wheeled or track-laying motor vehicles, which are able to operate both on water and on solid land.
Products are either in scope and must be UKCA marked or they are outside the scope and cannot be UKCA marked. UKCA marking is not a matter of choice!
As there is no legal means whereby an excluded product can be UKCA marked. We will let you know if you do not need RCR certification.
UKCA marking is mandatory for:
- non-CE marked products and
- products previously CE certified to RCD by UK-based Notified Bodies and without a valid EU CE certificate.
Does my CE compliant vessel or component need to comply with UKAS RCR?
UKCA certification is required to place a product on the UK market. However, since 1 January 2025, if your product is already CE-compliant, this can be used as evidence of conformity to the RCR.
For more information, go to the UK Government’s website and download their guidance document.
As an accredited Notified Body, HPiVS can issue your RCR certificate to enable you to display a CE mark for sale of vessels in Europe and the UK.
Can a CE marked product already on the market, subsequently be UKCA marked?
A product already on the market, marked with a CE marking, cannot subsequently be UKCA marked, unless it has undergone full conformity assessment by a UK Approved Body and meets all the essential requirements.
Can a product be dual marked CE and UKCA?
Yes, but only, and before placing on market:
a) where an EU Notified Body has completed conformity assessment procedures for CE marking, and
b) where a UK Approved Body has completed conformity assessment procedures for UKCA marking, and it meets all the essential safety requirements
OR from 1 October 2024:
c) where an EU Notified Body has completed conformity assessment procedures for CE marking and it meets all the essential safety requirements, the product can also be UKCA marked, or
d) where an EU Notified Body has begun conformity assessment procedures for CE marking, and these have then been completed by a UK Approved Body for UKCA marking and it meets all the essential safety requirements, the product can be UKCA marked.
For more information, go to the UK Government’s website and download their guidance document.
What are Designated Standards?
The detailed technical characteristics of the design, materials, production and testing are not laid down in the Regulations but in Designated Standards. (In Europe these are referred to as Harmonised Standards but they are exactly the same standards).
Conformity with Designated Standards “guarantees” conformity with the Regulations. Their application, however, is not mandatory. If Designated Standards are not suited to a specific product, any alternative standard or solution may be applied if it ensures equivalent safety.
It can be difficult to demonstrate equivalent safety and Designated Standards should be applied wherever possible. HPiVS can advise on alternative methods.
The Designated Standards for RCR are regularly updated. Visit the UK Government’s website for an up-to-date list.
Online Access to the latest compliance standards
We’ve created Rulefinder to give marine industry professionals comprehensive access and unique insights into compliance. It provides the information you need to design, manufacture or assess products against EU and UK legislation including EN and ISO standards.
With specialist insights from our team and live cross-referencing, Rulefinder is a powerful, time-saving tool.
We offer a flexible range of cost-effective subscription packages to meet your individual needs. Find out more.
Can I self–certify or do I need to use an Approved Body like HPiVS?
The Regulations have a wide range of Conformity Assessment Modules. These define what documentation needs to be compiled and to what extent an Approved Body should be involved. The choice of modules is limited depending upon the risk (i.e. the design category) of the product. HPiVS will discuss your options upon application.
It’s worth bearing in mind that even if your vessel does not legally require assessment by an Approved Body, you can still opt for this. This gives you extra peace of mind and reassures potential buyers.
If you do opt for self-certification, our CEproof software can make this easier. This comprehensive resource has been designed specifically to help you to submit your applications in the correct format to save you time.