The Single Market and ease of trading across the EU is essential for businesses in the boating industry and must be further strengthened and the regulatory burden reduced. This is the objective of the EU Single Market Strategy announced by the EU Commission this week, which is welcomed by EBI.

“Trade in the EU’s Single market is a key strategic asset for the boating industry that can support further growth and support innovation and sustainability efforts. We welcome the EU Commission’s ambition to reduce barriers to trade within the EU and lighten the regulatory load on businesses. Follow-through on the ambition and further measures are now needed, ” said EBI Secretary-General Philip Easthill.

Reducing red tape is important for the thousands of SMEs that make up the boating industry, allowing them to reduce costs and become more competitive. important measures announced by the EU Commission are efforts to increase the speed and effectiveness of the standardisation system, strengthening market surveillance and moving to digital-first solutions rather than paper format.

Manufacturers of boats, engines and components currently have to provide products with significant number of documents in paper form. Changes proposed by the EU Commission for the industry’s key legislation, the EU Recreational Craft Directive, would transform this to a digital-first approach.

The Single Market Strategy follows several of EBI’s key proposals to the EU institutions to reduce administrative burden and improve competitiveness of the boating industry. EBI will now analyse the proposed changes with its members to provide input into the legislative process and looks forward to further EU initiatives level in line with its calls for action for the current legislative mandate.

Cover photo: The European Commission (picture by  NakNakNak  from  Pixabay )