Marine Equipment Directive (MED) and the Wheel Mark
The Marine Equipment Directive (MED) is not only a stringent regulatory framework of the European Union for equipment installed on seagoing vessels, but also a true “passport” ensuring safety, credibility, and smooth operations on international routes.
Behind these seemingly dry standards lies a comprehensive system of inspection, certification, and continuous surveillance—where every bolt and every life-saving appliance must meet globally recognized benchmarks.
Understanding and complying with the Directive not only helps shipowners avoid detention at foreign ports but also opens the gateway to one of the world’s most demanding maritime markets.
What is the Marine Equipment Directive (MED)?
The Marine Equipment Directive (MED) is an EU regulation that harmonizes the testing, assessment, and certification of marine equipment installed on ships flying the flag of EU Member States, as well as Iceland and Norway.
At the international level, mandatory requirements for safety equipment are established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Technical standards are further developed by organizations such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), and the IMO itself.
The MED covers equipment falling under the scope of three major international conventions:
- SOLAS 1974: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
- MARPOL 1973: International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
- COLREG 1972: International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Categories of equipment subject to MED include:
- Life-saving appliances
- Marine pollution prevention equipment
- Fire protection equipment
The MED certification process is structured around specific conformity assessment modules, including:
- Module B: Type Examination
- Module G: Unit Verification
- Module F: Product Verification
- Modules D/E: Production Control Phase
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) plays a crucial role in maintaining and updating standards annually, coordinating the MarED group, and operating the MED Database – an online portal with more than 200,000 approved products. This enables shipowners and operators to easily verify compliance before installation or use.
The Wheel Mark – A passport to the EU market
The Wheel Mark is the official conformity mark demonstrating compliance with the Marine Equipment Directive (MED). It certifies that a product has passed rigorous testing and conformity assessment against international standards (IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREG) as well as EU harmonized standards.
Its scope of application includes: Marine equipment newly installed, replaced, or supplemented on ships flying the flag of EU Member States, as well as Iceland and Norway.
In practice, many ships engaged in international trade or regularly calling at European ports also prefer Wheel Mark-certified equipment to meet Port State Control (PSC) requirements and minimize the risk of detention.
As such, a marine product bearing the Wheel Mark is not only compliant within the EU market, but also serves as a globally recognized assurance of safety and quality. This provides tangible benefits such as:
- Faster clearance when calling at European ports
- Enhanced credibility for shipowners and operators in global shipping routes
- Reduced risk of detention due to non-compliant equipment
How to verify the validity of MED-Certified products
In the marketplace, it is not uncommon to find marine equipment bearing the Wheel Mark that in reality does not have a valid Marine Equipment Directive certificate, or is supported only by expired documentation.
The consequences can be severe: an entire vessel detained at port, crews stranded for days, delayed charter schedules, and rising berth fees by the hour. These losses are not measured solely in financial terms – they erode the operator’s reputation and undermine commercial opportunities in international trade.
For this reason, identifying and verifying the validity of MED certification is far more than a paperwork exercise. It is an invisible safeguard ensuring that every voyage remains safe, timely, and uninterrupted.
1. Check the Notified Body number
Every valid Wheel Mark must include the four-digit code of the EU-approved Notified Body that issued the certificate. This number can be cross-checked in the European Commission’s public database to confirm authenticity.
2. Request the “EU Declaration of Conformity”
As required under Article 16 of MED 2014/90/EU, this mandatory document must specify the manufacturer, product identification code, applicable standards, certificate number, and date of issue.
3. Cross-reference with the MED Portal
The MED Portal, operated by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), maintains records of more than 200,000 approved products. It allows verification of certificate numbers and confirmation of current validity status.
4. Look for irregularities on the product itself
- Incorrect size, color, or poor printing quality of the Wheel Mark symbol
- Missing, fake, or non-matching Notified Body numbers
- Certificates referencing a different product model, serial number, or date of manufacture compared to the actual equipment
In the maritime industry, every detail can determine the safety and seamless operation of an entire vessel.
A single oversight – even something as small as a bolt, a lifebuoy, or a minor piece of deck equipment – can result in costly days of port detention, delayed contracts, and damaged reputation. That is why investing in certified equipment and regular maintenance should never be seen as an expense – it is essential insurance for every voyage.
GOTCO delivers international-standard servicing for life-saving appliances and supplies marine equipment with valid MED certification, giving shipowners the confidence to pass inspections and keep operations running smoothly.
Contact us today – before risks catch up with you.