ICOMIA Publishes New Global Conformity Guideline

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) has published an amended Global Conformity Guidelines for construction standards: No. 7 Capacity Labels.

The purpose of ICOMIA’s Guidelines is to assist boat builders who comply with either American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) or ISO, but are looking to start exporting to countries using the opposite system. ABYC and ISO standards’ systems have different requirements for the construction of boats, and are based on separate calculations and criteria. Any boat builder interested in exporting overseas faced a severe challenge in trying to comply with both standards’ systems. It was with this in mind that ICOMIA decided to form a dedicated standards’ harmonisation working group in 2007. The standards’ harmonisation working group is made up of partners from the ABYC, British Marine Federation (BMF), ICOMIA, International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI), ISO, and National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

There are now a total of nine universal guidelines published by ICOMIA. The launched guidelines include: (Guideline 1) Fuel Systems and Fixed Fuel Tanks; (2) LPG Systems and Appliances; (3) Electrical; (4) Windows, Portlights and Hatches; (5) Powering; (6) Man Overboard Prevention; (7) Boat Capacity Labels; (8) Ventilation and (9) Field of Vision. The Global Conformity Guidelines are aimed at boat builders with previous experience of either the ABYC or ISO standards. They are not meant to replace or guarantee compliance with either standard system, but to act as a guide for the user.

The guidelines are completely free and are available for download in the ICOMIA Online Library, as annexes to the ABYC standards or from www.rulefinder.net

ICOMIA (the International Council of Marine Industry Associations) has been the focal point of the global recreational marine industry since 1967. In liaison with our members across the world, ICOMIA presents a strong and united voice in representing the industry’s best interests when dealing with international authorities and major organisations.

For further information visit www.icomia.org

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