EN    EN 
 
 
 EUROPEAN  
COMMISSION   
Brussels, XXX   
[…](2017) XXX  draft  
  
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) …/...  
of XXX  
laying down technical criteria for electronic tags for marine equipment  
(Text with EEA relevance)   EN 1   EN COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) …/...  
of XXX  
laying down technical criteria for electronic tags for marine equipment  
(Text with EEA relevance)  
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,  
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union , 
Having regard to Directive 2014/90/EU of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment  and repealing 
Council Directive 96/ 98/EC1, and in particular Article 11(4) thereof,  
Whereas:  
(1) Directive 2014/90/EU confers implementing powers upon the Commission in order to 
lay down appropriate technical criteria as regards the design, performance, affixing 
and use of those electronic tags. 
(2) A cost-benefit analysis2 was carried out  and gave a positive assessment of the use of 
electronic tags as a supplement to the wheel mark .  
(3) Electronic tagging of marine equipment  does not require heavy investment but brings 
about benefits to  manufacturers , ship owners and operators and market surveillance 
authorities . 
(4) The specifications provided for in this Regulation  draw on a comparison of available 
technologies performed in the framework of the cost -benefit analysis , as well as on its 
sugg estions for the appropriate structure of the codes used for the identification of 
marine equipment.  
(5) The comparison of existing data carriers and data exchange architectures in the 
framework of the cost -benefit analysis resulted in the recommendation to use  data 
matrix codes and radio -frequency identification (‘RFID’) as the most appropriate 
technologies.  
(6) The cost-benefit analysis also indicated that the limited data storage capacity on the 
electronic tag implies that the information on the electronic tag has to provide a link to 
databases where more detailed information can be found. The data matrix  codes and 
radio frequency identification ( 'RFID ') specified by this Regulation contain the key 
information able to provide for such a link.  
(7) Consequently , a unique identification of marine equipment, based on a standardised 
code structure independent from the electronic tag type should be used. Such an 
identifi cation  should be flexible enough to enable the direct access of users to the most 
relevant databases fo r marine equipment.  
                                                 
1 OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 146.  
2 “The possible introduction of an electronic tag as a supplement or a replacement of the wheel mark in  
marine equipment”, Cal l for Tenders No. MOVE/D2/2015 -372 V1.0 of the European Commission  DG 
Mobility and Transport.  EN 2   EN (8) The format of encoding the required information on the data carrier should be based 
on ISO standards. The format should also allow for the possibility to encode additional 
information for the use of the manufacturers, in particular as m anufacturers should be 
able to embed into the data carrier additional security features in order to better 
identify counterfeited products.  
(9) In order to be easily retrievable by visual inspection, marine equipment with electronic 
tags which replace the whee l mark should display an appropriate symbol.  
(10) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the 
Committee on Safe Seas and the Prevention of Pollution from Ships ( 'COSS '), 
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:  
Article 1  
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:  
(1) 'electronic tag ' means a marker with radio f requency identification ( 'RFID ') or with a data 
matrix code ; 
(2) 'application identifier ' means a  numeric prefix used to define the meaning and format of 
encoded data elements . 
Article 2 
Manufacturers of marine equipment may use  the following electronic tags as specified in the 
Annex :  
(a) RFID tags affixed permanently on a marine equipment item;  
(b) optically readable tags containing data matrix codes affixed permanently on a marine 
equipment item;  or 
(c) optically readable tags containing data matrix  codes permanently marked on a marine 
equipment item . 
Article 3  
RFID electronic tags which replace the wheel mark shall visibly, legibly and indelibly display 
the symbol set out  in point s 3.1 or 3.2 of the Annex, either on the tags themselves or adjacent 
to them.  
Marine equipment with o ptically readable tags containing  data matrix codes which replace the 
wheel mark shall visibly, legibly and indelibly display the symbol set out  in point 3.3 of the 
Annex, either on the tags themselves or adjacent to them.  
Article 4 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Union .  
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.  EN 3   EN Done at Brussels,  
For the Commission  
 
  
 On behalf of the President  
 […] 
 [Position]  
  EN 4   EN ANNEX  
to the  
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) …/...  
of XXX  
 
laying down technical criteria for electronic tags for marine equipment  
 
1. Identification of marine equipment  
1.1. Electronic tags for marine equipment shall comprise an electronically readable 
identification in radio frequency identification ( 'RFID ') or optically readable data 
matrix  code containing the following  information:  
(a) an appropriate application identifier in accordance with ISO/IEC 
15434:2006 and ISO/IEC 15418:2016, using either an ASC MH10 
Data Identifier or a GS1 Application Identifier;  
(b) the type of conformity assessment module(s)  set out in Annex II to 
Directive  2014/90/EU used for the conformity assessment [one 
digit alphabetical];  
(c) the notified body identification number assigned by the Commission 
in accordance with point 3.1  of Annex IV to Directive 2014/90/EU 
[4 digits];  
(d) the number(s) of the unit verification (Module G) or EC type 
examination and conformity to type certificates (Module B and D, 
E or F) [maximum 20 alpha -numeric digits].  
1.2. In addition to the information provided pursuant to point 1.1, electronic tags  
may also contain information relating to the production site number, a product code, 
the lot or batch number and/or additional information designed by the manufacturer 
in accordance with ISO/IEC 15434:2006 [using either ASC MH 10 Data Identifiers or 
GS1 Application Identifiers].  
1.3. Examples:  
Modules B+D: [see point 1.2.]+([appropriate identifier]) B 0575 40123+D 0038 040124   
Modules B+E: [see point 1.2.]+ ([appropriate identifier]) B 0575 40123+E 0038 040125  
Modules B+F: [see point  1.2.]+([appropriate identifier]) B 0575 40123+F 0038 040126  
Module G: [see point 1.2.]+([appropriate identifier]) G 0575 040126.  
2. Electronic tags  
2.1. RFID tags  
RFID t ransponder s shall operate in the frequency range of 860 MHz to 960 MHz in 
accordance to ISO/IE C 18000 -6:2004 Type C.  
The electronic tag  shall be firmly affixed to the marine equipment concerned in a 
durable way and so as to ensure that the electronic tag will be able to be read as 
intended for the expected lifetime  of the marine equipment.  EN 5   EN 2.2. Data mat rix codes  
Data matrix codes shall be in accordance with ISO/IEC 16022:2006.  
The electronic tag  shall be marked on or firmly affixed to the marine equipment 
concerned in a durable way and so as to ensure that  the electronic tag will be able to 
be read as intended for the expected lifetime of the marine equipment.  
3. Symbols  
3.1.  
3.2.  
3.3.