We make it simple for small craft builders, owners, importers, and insurers to prove that their design or specific vessel meet all legal requirements.
As an EU Notified Body (INAB) and a UK Approved Body (UKAS), HPiVS is accredited to issue CE and UKCA certificates for boats and components.
This is the official assurance that your vessel complies with the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) or the UK Recreational Craft Regulations (RCR).
Our boat certification services
Core certification services:
- EU Recreational Craft Directive (CE mark)
- UK Recreational Craft Regulations (UKCA mark)
- Component certification (engines, steering gear, hatches, fuel systems)
Innovation and insurance:
- Risk assessments and “Approval in Principle” for novel designs
- Specialist surveys for insurance claims
- Streamlined compliance for vessels used in both recreational and commercial contexts
Specialist support:
- World Sailing OSR Structural Plan Reviews
- American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) compliance assessment and statement of conformity
- Saudi Arabia’s Technical Regulation for Watercraft (TRW)
- Post Construction Assessments and Major Craft Conversions (RCD/RCR)
- Inland Waterways vessels, bringing our specialised knowledge to guide owners through the Post Construction Assessment process
- Supporting activities such as plan reviews, mechanical testing witness and training services
Why choose HPiVS?
- One-stop compliance – we can carry out multiple surveys and certifications at the same time. That cuts duplication and saves you time and money
- Trusted worldwide – recognised by governments, leading yacht builders, brokers, and naval architects across Europe, Asia and beyond
- Specialist knowledge – from inland waterways to hydrogen-powered vessels to cutting-edge foiling craft, our team apply the same diligence and attention. We draw on our collective expertise to ensure the most rigorous and efficient reviews
Single point of contact, backed by a team of trusted experts
When you work with us, you’ll be assigned an experienced team member as your dedicated project manager. They will be your single point of contact, guiding you through the entire certification or survey process.
Behind that one contact is our full marine group, pooling decades of naval architecture, surveying, boatbuilding, engineering, and regulatory experience.
By combining our skills and specialist knowledge, we make every review more efficient, thorough, and future-proof against developing standards and regulations.
How much does RCR and RCD certification cost?
We work to understand you and your products and will identify your optimum route to achieve compliance. Holding the right level of certification is a legal responsibility. It will help you to reassure potential buyers of your craft’s capabilities, giving you competitive advantage, and is often a must-have for finance and insurance. Depending on individual needs and intended markets, we offer tailor-made package solutions to reduce survey duplication and your costs.
Global marine compliance certification
Thanks to our network of trusted global partners, we can support you on the ground, wherever you are.
Risk assessments for innovative vessels
We stand at the forefront of UK and European thought-leadership and decision-making for marine compliance. Our team actively supports designers and builders of the latest innovations that fall outside current regulations, such as foiling vessels. By developing practical routes to demonstrate safety and manage liability, we make it easier for these projects to gain competitive insurance and secure finance.
As well as marine industry certification, we are an accredited European Notified Body for the EU Pressure Equipment Directive. This makes us the certification body of choice for boats with hydrogen systems.
Projects include certifying Chase Zero, Emirates Team New Zealand’s hydrogen powered, hydrofoil chase boat for the America’s Cup in 2024.
We sit on ISO committees, including project leader roles for ISO 6185-3 and ISO 12217-2 and we chair the EU forum of Notified Bodies (RSG) where the official guidelines for interpretation are issued.
We’re helping to set the standards, so no matter how innovative your vessel or complex your project, you can be reassured that our in-depth understanding of the regulations and their application means we can help you to demonstrate compliance with safety and performance criteria and reduce your liability.
Peace of mind for compliance and reduced liability
We know the various regulations, and how they are applied, can sometimes seem complicated. We work in partnership with you to provide you with total peace of mind that your vessel meets all the legal safety, environmental, and performance standards and your liability is reduced.
Supporting naval architects, designers, and boat builders to meet compliance requirements
We’ve created Rulefinder to give industry professionals cost-effective access to essential legislative texts and standards with additional informed background support. Always up to date, it provides the information you need to design, manufacture, or assess vessels against European and UK legislation.
With specialist insights from our team and live links to make cross-referencing and applying the standards simple, Rulefinder is a powerful, time-saving tool. We offer a flexible range of economical subscription packages to meet your individual needs. Find out more.
CE or UKCA certification is just one element of your responsibility as a boat builder under the RCD or RCR.
Our CEproof software package is a must-have to help naval architects, designers, and boat builders to comply with, and fully understand, the legal responsibilities outlined in the RCD and RCR. This comprehensive resource has been designed specifically to help you to generate precise technical documentation and other essential paperwork.
From Technical Construction Files and Owners Manuals to your Declaration of Conformity, CEproof is trusted to make compliance easier. Find out more.
Marine compliance training
We also offer bespoke marine compliance training packages for individuals or teams.
Through these sessions you will learn more about your responsibilities under the RCD as a boat builder or importer. Helping you to comply with the regulations, our training helps to reduce your liability for your peace of mind.