Article 15 of the Recreational Craft Directive requires an EU declaration of conformity to accompany every recreational boat placed on the market: the builder's signed statement that the boat meets the directive. It goes with the CE marking on the builder's plate and the owner's manual.
Why buyers need it
European registries ask for it when a boat changes owner or flag. Italy's registration documents include the EC declaration of conformity; France's file lists it or an attestation; and the Croatian Register of Shipping's survey request asks for a copy. A missing declaration can hold up a sale.
What a surveyor checks
That the declaration names this boat, its builder and model, and the design category on the plate. For a boat imported after it was built, how conformity was assessed and by which notified body.