EN Official Journal of the European Union L 345/53

DIRECTIVE (EU) 2017/2397 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 12 December 2017

on the recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation and repealing Council Directives 91/672/EEC and 96/50/EC

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

After consulting the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (2),

Whereas:

(1) Council Directives 91/672/EEC (3) and 96/50/EC (4) are the first steps taken towards the harmonisation and recognition of professional qualifications for crew members in inland navigation.

(2) The requirements for crew members navigating on the Rhine river fall outside the scope of Directives 91/672/EEC and 96/50/EC and are established by the Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR), pursuant to the Regulations for Rhine Navigation Personnel.

(3) Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) applies to inland waterway occupations other than boatmasters. The mutual recognition of diplomas and certificates under Directive 2005/36/EC is not, however, fully adapted to regular and frequent cross-border activities of inland waterway occupations that notably exist on inland waterways linked to inland waterways of another Member State.

(4) An evaluation study carried out by the Commission in 2014 highlighted the fact that the limitation of the scope of Directives 91/672/EEC and 96/50/EC to boatmasters, and the lack of automatic recognition of boatmasters’ certificates issued in accordance with those Directives on the Rhine, hinder the mobility of crew members in inland navigation.

(5) To facilitate mobility, to ensure the safety of navigation and to ensure the protection of human life and the environment, it is essential for deck crew members, and especially for persons in charge of emergency situations on board passenger vessels and for persons involved in the bunkering of liquefied natural gas-fuelled vessels, to hold certificates proving their qualifications. For efficient enforcement, they should carry such certificates while exercising their occupation. Those considerations also apply to young persons, for whom it is important that their safety and health at work is protected in accordance with Council Directive 94/33/EC (6).

(6) Navigation for sport or pleasure, the operation of ferries that do not move independently, and navigation by armed forces or by emergency services, are activities that do not require qualifications similar to those qualifications required for professional navigation for the transport of goods and people. Therefore, persons carrying out those activities should not be covered by this Directive.

(7) Boatmasters who sail in circumstances that present a particular safety hazard should hold specific authorisations, in particular for sailing large convoys, sailing liquefied natural gas-fuelled craft, sailing in conditions of reduced visibility, sailing on inland waterways with a maritime character or sailing on waterways that present specific risks for navigation. In order to obtain such authorisations, boatmasters should be required to demonstrate specific additional competences.

(8) For ensuring safety of navigation, Member States should identify inland waterways with a maritime character in accordance with harmonised criteria. The competence requirements for navigating on these waterways should be defined at Union level. Without unnecessarily limiting the mobility of boatmasters, when it is necessary for ensuring the safety of navigation, and where appropriate in cooperation with the relevant European River Commission, Member States should also have the possibility to identify the waterways that present specific risks for navigation in accordance with harmonised criteria and procedures pursuant to this Directive. In such cases, the related competence requirements should be set at national level.

(9) With a view to contributing to the mobility of persons involved in the operation of craft across the Union, and considering that all certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks issued in accordance with this Directive should comply with required minimum standards in accordance with harmonised criteria, Member States should recognise the professional qualifications certified in accordance with this Directive. Consequently the holders of such qualifications should be able to exercise their profession on all Union inland waterways.

(10) In view of the lack of cross-border activities on certain national inland waterways and in order to reduce costs, Member States should have the possibility of not making Union certificates of qualification compulsory on national inland waterways that are not linked to a navigable inland waterway of another Member State. However, Union certificates should allow access to navigation activities on those non-linked waterways.

(11) Directive 2005/36/EC remains applicable for deck crew members who are exempt from the obligation of holding a Union certificate of qualification issued in accordance with this Directive, and also remains applicable for inland waterways qualifications not covered by this Directive.

(12) Where Member States grant exemptions from the obligation to carry a Union certificate of qualification, they should recognise Union certificates of qualification for persons who operate on their national inland waterways that are not linked to the navigable network of another Member State where the exemption is applied. Those Member States should also ensure that, regarding those inland waterways, the data regarding navigation time and journeys carried out are validated in the service record books of persons who hold a Union certificate of qualification, if the crew member so requests. Furthermore, those Member States should take and enforce appropriate measures and penalties to prevent fraud and other unlawful practises that involve Union certificates of qualification and service record books on those non-linked inland waterways.

(13) Member States that apply exemptions to the obligation of carrying a Union certificate of qualification should have the possibility to suspend Union certificates of qualification for persons who operate on their national inland waterways that are not linked to the navigable network of another Member State where the exemption is applied.

(14) A Member State, none of the inland waterways of which are linked to the navigable network of another Member State, that decides not to issue Union certificates of qualification in accordance with this Directive, would be under a disproportionate and unnecessary obligation if it had to transpose and implement all the provisions of this Directive. Such a Member State should therefore be exempt from the obligation to transpose and implement the provisions related to the certification of qualifications for as long as it decides not to issue Union certificates of qualification. Such a Member State should nevertheless be required to recognise the Union certificate of qualifications on its territory in order to promote the mobility of workers within the Union, to decrease the administrative burden associated with labour mobility and to increase the attractiveness of the profession.

(15) In a number of Member States, inland navigation is an infrequent activity, serving only local or seasonal interests in waterways with no connections to other Member States. While the principle of the recognition of professional certificates under this Directive should also be respected in those Member States, the administrative burden should be proportional. Implementing tools such as databases and registers would create a significant administrative burden without presenting a real benefit, as the flow of information between Member States can also be achieved through other means of cooperation. It is therefore justified to allow the Member States concerned to transpose only the minimum provisions needed for the recognition of professional certificates issued in accordance with this Directive.

(16) In certain Member States, inland waterway navigation is not technically possible. Requiring those Member States to transpose this Directive would therefore be a disproportionate administrative burden on them.

(17) It is important that the inland waterway sector is able to provide programmes focused both on retaining people over the age of 50 and on improving the skills and employability of young people.

(18) The Commission should ensure a level playing field for all crew members practising their trade on an exclusive and regular basis in the Union, and should stop any downward spiral in salaries, as well as any discrimination on grounds of nationality, place of residence or flag of registration.

(19) In view of the established cooperation between the Union and the CCNR since 2003 which has led to the establishment of the European Committee for drawing up Standards in Inland Navigation (CESNI) under the auspices of the CCNR, and in order to streamline the legal frameworks governing the professional qualifications in Europe, certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks, issued in accordance with the Regulations for Rhine Navigation Personnel which lay down requirements that are identical to those of this Directive, should be valid on all Union inland waterways. Such certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks issued by third countries should be recognised in the Union, conditional upon reciprocity.

(20) It is important that employers apply the social and labour laws of the Member State in which the activity is carried out when employing in the Union deck crew members who hold certificates of qualification, record books and logbooks which have been issued by third countries and which have been recognised by the responsible authorities in the Union.

(21) To further remove barriers to labour mobility and to further streamline the legal frameworks governing the professional qualifications in Europe, any certificate of qualification, service record book or logbook issued by a third country on the basis of requirements which are identical to those laid down in this Directive may also be recognised on all Union waterways, subject to an assessment by the Commission, and subject to recognition by that third-country of documents issued in accordance with the this Directive.

(22) Member States should issue certificates of qualification only to persons who have the minimum levels of competence, the minimum age, the medical fitness and the navigation time required for obtaining a specific qualification.

(23) It is important that the Commission and the Member States encourage young people to seek professional qualifications in inland navigation and that the Commission and the Member States set up specific measures to support social partners’ activities in this regard.

(24) To safeguard the mutual recognition of qualifications, certificates of qualification should be based on the competences necessary for the operation of craft. Member States should ensure that persons receiving certificates of qualification have the corresponding minimum levels of competence, verified following an appropriate assessment. Such assessments could take the form of an administrative examination, or could form part of approved training programmes carried out in accordance with common standards in order to ensure a comparable minimum level of competence in all Member States for various qualifications.

(25) When navigating on the Union inland waterways, boatmasters should be able to apply knowledge about the rules on traffic on inland waterways, such as the European Code for Navigation on Inland Waterways (CEVNI) or other relevant traffic regulations, and about the applicable rules on manning of craft, including on resting time, as laid down in Union or national legislation or in specific regulations agreed at a regional level, such as the Regulations for Rhine Navigation Personnel.

(26) Due to the responsibility with respect to safety when exercising the profession of boatmaster, sailing with the aid of radar and bunkering liquefied natural gas-fuelled craft or sailing liquefied natural gas-fuelled craft, verification through practical examinations on whether the required level of competence has effectively been reached is required. Such practical examinations might be carried out using approved simulators, with a view to further facilitating the evaluation of competence.

(27) Skills to operate the on-board radio are crucial to ensure the safety of inland navigation. It is important that Member States encourage any deck crew member who might need to navigate the craft to have training and certification regarding the operation of such radios. For boatmasters and helmsmen, such training and certification should be compulsory.

(28) Approval of training programmes is necessary to verify that the programmes comply with common minimum requirements regarding content and organisation. Such compliance allows for the elimination of unnecessary barriers to entering the profession, by preventing unnecessary additional examinations from being imposed on persons who have already acquired the necessary skills during their vocational training. The existence of approved training programmes could also facilitate the entry of workers with prior experience from other sectors into the profession of inland navigation, as they could benefit from dedicated training programmes that take account of their already acquired competences.

(29) To further facilitate mobility for boatmasters, Member States should, subject to the consent of the Member State in which a stretch of inland waterway with specific risks is located, be allowed to assess the competences necessary for navigating on that specific stretch of inland waterway.

(30) The navigation time should be verified by means of validated entries in service record books. To allow for such verification, Member States should issue service record books and logbooks and ensure that the latter provide a record of the journeys of craft. The medical fitness of a candidate should be certified by an approved medical practitioner.

(31) Where loading and unloading activities require active navigational operations, such as dredging or manoeuvres between loading or unloading points, Member States should regard the time used for such activities as navigation time and record it accordingly.

(32) Whenever the measures provided for in this Directive entail the processing of personal data, it should be carried out in accordance with Union law on the protection of personal data, in particular Regulations (EC) No 45/2001 (7) and (EU) 2016/679 (8) of the European Parliament and of the Council.

(33) To contribute to the efficient administration of certificates of qualification, Member States should designate the competent authorities that are to implement this Directive and should set up registers for recording data on certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks. In order to facilitate the exchange of information between Member States and with the Commission for the purpose of the implementation, enforcement and evaluation of this Directive, as well as for statistical purposes, for maintaining safety and for ease of navigation, Member States should report such information, including data on the certificates of qualifications, service record books and logbooks, by including it in a database kept by the Commission. In keeping that database, the Commission should duly respect the principles of personal data protection.

(34) Authorities, including authorities in third countries, that issue certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks in accordance with rules that are identical to those of this Directive, are processing personal data. The authorities involved in the implementation and enforcement of this Directive, and, where necessary, international organisations that established those identical rules, should also have access to the database kept by the Commission for the purpose of evaluating this Directive, for statistical purposes, for maintaining safety, for ensuring ease of navigation and in order to facilitate the exchange of information between those authorities. This access should however be subject to adequate level of data protection, specifically in the case of personal data, and, in the case of third countries and international organisations, should also be subject to the principle of reciprocity.

(35) With a view to further modernising the inland waterway sector and to reducing the administrative burden while rendering the documents less prone to being tampered with, the Commission should, taking into account the principle of better regulation, consider examining the possibility of replacing the paper version of Union certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks by electronic tools, such as electronic professional cards and electronic vessel units.

(36) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Directive, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission with regard to opposing, where appropriate, the intended adoption by a Member State of competence requirements relating to specific risks on certain stretches of inland waterways. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9).

(37) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Directive, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission with regard to the adoption of models for the issuing of Union certificates of qualification, practical examination certificates, service record books and logbooks and the adoption of decisions on recognition in accordance with Article 10. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

(38) In order to provide minimum harmonised standards for the certification of qualifications, to facilitate the exchange of information between Member States and to facilitate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this Directive by the Commission, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the setting of standards of competence, standards for medical fitness, standards for practical examinations, standards for the approval of simulators and standards defining the characteristics and conditions of use for the database, to be maintained by the Commission, that is to host a copy of key data related to Union certificates of qualification, service record books, logbooks and recognised documents. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making (10). In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.

(39) Transitional measures should address not only the problem of certificates issued to boatmasters in accordance with Directive 96/50/EC, with Regulations for Rhine Navigation Personnel or with certain national legislation, but also the problem of certificates issued to other categories of deck crew members falling within the scope of this Directive. As far as possible, those measures should safeguard entitlements previously granted and should aim to give skilled crew members reasonable time in which to apply for a Union certificate of qualification. Those measures should therefore provide for an adequate period during which those certificates can continue to be used on the Union inland waterways for which they were valid before the end of the transposition period. Those measures should also ensure a system of transition to the new rules for all these certificates, in particular where journeys of local interest are concerned.

(40) The harmonisation of legislation in the field of professional qualifications in inland navigation in Europe is facilitated by close cooperation between the Union and the CCNR, and by the development of CESNI standards. The CESNI, which is open to experts from all Member States, draws up standards in the field of inland navigation, including standards for professional qualifications. European River Commissions, relevant international organisations, social partners and professional associations should be fully involved in the design and drawing up of CESNI standards. Where the conditions laid down in this Directive are met, the Commission should refer to CESNI standards when adopting implementing and delegated acts in accordance with this Directive.

(41) Since the objective of this Directive, namely the establishment of a common framework on the recognition of minimum professional qualifications for inland navigation, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.

(42) In order to improve the gender balance in the inland waterway sector, it is important that access by women to qualifications and to the profession be promoted.

(43) According to the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, the information which Member States are obliged to supply to the Commission in the context of transposing a directive must be clear and precise. This is also the case for this Directive, which provides for a specifically targeted approach for transposition.

(44) Directives 91/672/EEC and 96/50/EC should therefore be repealed,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

CHAPTER 1

SUBJECT MATTER, SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

Article 1

Subject matter

This Directive lays down the conditions and procedures for the certification of the qualifications of persons involved in the operation of a craft navigating on Union inland waterways, as well as for the recognition of such qualifications in the Member States.

Article 2

Scope

1. This Directive applies to deck crew members, liquefied natural gas experts and passenger navigation experts on the following types of craft on any Union inland waterway:

(a) vessels having a length of 20 metres or more;

(b) vessels for which the product of length, breadth and draught is a volume of 100 cubic metres or more;

(c) tugs and pushers intended for: (i) towing or pushing vessels referred to in points (a) and (b); (ii) towing or pushing floating equipment; (iii) moving vessels referred to in points (a) and (b) or floating equipment alongside;

(d) passenger vessels;

(e) vessels required to have a certificate of approval pursuant to Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (11);

(f) floating equipment.

2. This Directive does not apply to persons:

(a) navigating for sport or pleasure;

(b) involved in the operation of ferries not moving independently;

(c) involved in the operation of craft used by armed forces, forces maintaining public order, civil defence services, waterway administrations, fire services and other emergency services.

3. Without prejudice to Article 39(3), this Directive also does not apply to persons navigating in Member States with no inland waterways linked to the navigable network of another Member State and who are exclusively:

(a) navigating limited journeys of local interest, where the distance from the departure point is at no time more than ten kilometres; or

(b) navigating seasonally.

Article 3

Definitions

For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions apply:

(1) ‘inland waterway’ means a waterway other than the sea, open to navigation by craft referred to in Article 2;

(2) ‘craft’ means a vessel or item of floating equipment;

(3) ‘vessel’ means an inland waterway vessel or seagoing ship;

(4) ‘tug’ means a vessel specially built to perform towing operations;

(5) ‘pusher’ means a vessel specially built to propel a pushed convoy;

(6) ‘passenger vessel’ means a vessel constructed and equipped to carry more than 12 passengers;

(7) ‘Union certificate of qualification’ means a certificate, issued by a competent authority, attesting that a person fulfils the requirements of this Directive;

(8) ‘STCW Convention’ means ‘STCW Convention’ as defined in Article 1(21) of Directive 2008/106/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (12);

(9) ‘deck crew members’ means persons who are involved in the general operation of a craft navigating on Union inland waterways and who carry out various tasks, such as tasks related to navigation, controlling the operation of the craft, cargo handling, stowage, passenger transport, marine engineering, maintenance and repair, communication, health and safety, and environmental protection, other than persons who are solely assigned to the operation of the engines, cranes, or electrical and electronic equipment;

(10) ‘radio operator’s certificate’ means a national certificate, issued by a Member State in accordance with the Radio Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication Convention, authorising the operation of a radio-communication station on an inland waterway craft;

(11) ‘passenger navigation expert’ means a person serving on board the vessel who is qualified to take measures in emergency situations on board passenger vessels;

(12) ‘liquefied natural gas expert’ means a person who is qualified to be involved in the bunkering procedure of a craft using liquefied natural gas as fuel or to be the boatmaster sailing such a craft;

(13) ‘boatmaster’ means a deck crew member who is qualified to sail a craft on the Member States’ inland waterways and is qualified to have overall responsibility on board, including for the crew, for the passengers and for the cargo;

(14) ‘specific risk’ means a safety hazard that is due to particular navigation conditions which require boatmasters to have competences beyond what is expected under the general standards of competence for the management level;

(15) ‘competence’ means the proven ability to use the knowledge and skills required by the established standards for the proper performance of the tasks necessary for the operation of inland waterway craft;

(16) ‘management level’ means the level of responsibility associated with serving as boatmaster and with ensuring that other deck crew members properly perform all tasks in the operation of a craft;

(17) ‘operational level’ means the level of responsibility associated with serving as boatman, as able boatman or as helmsman and with maintaining control over the performance of all tasks within that person’s designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures and under the direction of a person serving at management level;

(18) ‘large convoy’ means a pushed convoy for which the product of the total length and the total width of the pushed craft is 7 000 square metres or more;

(19) ‘service record book’ means a personal register that records details of a crew member’s work history, in particular navigation time and journeys carried out;

(20) ‘logbook’ means an official record of the journeys made by a craft and its crew;

(21) ‘active service record book’ or ‘active logbook’ means a service record book or logbook which is open for recording data;

(22) ‘navigation time’ means the time, measured in days, that deck crew members have spent aboard during a journey on a craft on inland waterways, including loading and unloading activities that require active navigational operations, which has been validated by the competent authority;

(23) ‘floating equipment’ means a floating installation carrying working gear such as cranes, dredging equipment, pile drivers or elevators;

(24) ‘length’ means the maximum length of the hull in metres, excluding rudder and bowsprit;

(25) ‘breadth’ means the maximum breadth of the hull in metres, measured to the outer edge of the shell plating (excluding paddle wheels, rub rail, and similar);

(26) ‘draught’ means the vertical distance in metres between the lowest point of the hull without taking into account the keel or other fixed attachments and the maximum draught line;

(27) ‘seasonal navigation’ means a navigating activity which is exercised for not more than six months each year.

CHAPTER 2

UNION CERTIFICATES OF QUALIFICATION

Article 4

Obligation to carry a Union certificate of qualification as a deck crew member

1. Member States shall ensure that deck crew members who navigate on Union inland waterways carry either a Union certificate of qualification as a deck crew member issued in accordance with Article 11 or a certificate recognised in accordance with Article 10(2) or (3).

2. For deck crew members other than boatmasters, the Union certificate of qualification and the service record book as referred to in Article 22 shall be presented in a single document.

3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, certificates held by persons involved in the operation of a craft, other than boatmasters, issued or recognised in accordance with Directive 2008/106/EC, and therefore in accordance with the STCW Convention, shall be valid on sea-going ships operating on inland waterways.

Article 5

Obligation to carry a Union certificate of qualification for specific operations

1. Member States shall ensure that passenger navigation experts and liquefied natural gas experts carry either a Union certificate of qualification issued in accordance with Article 11 or a certificate recognised in accordance with Article 10(2) or (3).

2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, certificates held by persons involved in the operation of a craft, issued or recognised in accordance with Directive 2008/106/EC, and therefore in accordance with the STCW Convention, shall be valid on sea-going ships operating on inland waterways.

Article 6

Obligation for boatmasters to hold specific authorisations

Member States shall ensure that boatmasters hold specific authorisations issued in accordance with Article 12 when:

(a) sailing on waterways that have been classified as inland waterways with a maritime character pursuant to Article 8;

(b) sailing on waterways that have been identified as stretches of inland waterways with specific risks pursuant to Article 9;

(c) sailing with the aid of radar;

(d) sailing craft using liquefied natural gas as fuel;

(e) sailing large convoys.

Article 7

Exemptions related to national inland waterways that are not linked to the navigable network of another Member State

1. A Member State may exempt persons referred to in Article 4(1), Article 5(1) and Article 6 who operate exclusively on national inland waterways that are not linked to the navigable network of another Member State, including those that have been classified as inland waterways with a maritime character, from the obligations set out in Article 4(1) and (2), Article 5(1), Article 6, the first subparagraph of Article 22(1), and Article 22(3) and (6).

2. A Member State that grants exemptions in accordance with paragraph 1 may issue certificates of qualification to persons referred to in paragraph 1 under conditions that differ from the general conditions set out in this Directive, provided that such certificates ensure an adequate level of safety. The recognition of those certificates in other Member States shall be governed by Directive 2005/36/EC or Directive 2005/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (13), as applicable.

3. Member States shall inform the Commission of the exemptions granted in accordance with paragraph 1. The Commission shall make information on those granted exemptions publicly available.

Article 8

Classification of inland waterways with a maritime character

1. Member States shall classify a stretch of inland waterway in their territory as an inland waterway with a maritime character where one of the following criteria is met:

(a) the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea is applicable;

(b) the buoys and signs are in accordance with the maritime system;

(c) terrestrial navigation is necessary on that inland waterway; or

(d) maritime equipment which requires special knowledge for its operation is necessary for navigation on that inland waterway.

2. Member States shall notify the Commission of the classification of any specific stretch of inland waterways on their territory as an inland waterway with a maritime character. The notification to the Commission shall be accompanied by a justification based on the criteria referred to in paragraph 1. The Commission shall make the list of notified inland waterways with a maritime character publicly available without undue delay.

Article 9

Stretches of inland waterways with specific risks

1. Where necessary to ensure safety of navigation, Member States may identify stretches of inland waterways with specific risks which run through their own territories, in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraphs 2 to 4, where such risks are due to one or more of the following reasons:

(a) frequently changing stream patterns and speed;

(b) the hydro-morphological characteristics of the inland waterway and the absence of appropriate Fairway Information Services on the inland waterway or of suitable charts;

(c) the presence of a specific local traffic regulation justified by specific hydro-morphological characteristics of the inland waterway; or

(d) a high frequency of accidents at a specific stretch of the inland waterway that is attributed to the lack of a competence that is not covered by the standards referred to in Article 17.

Where Member States consider it to be necessary to ensure safety, they shall consult the relevant European River Commission during the process of identifying the stretches referred to in the first subparagraph.

2. Member States shall notify the Commission of the measures they intend to adopt pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article and to Article 20, together with the reasoning on which the measure is based, at least six months before the envisaged date of adoption of those measures.

3. Where stretches of inland waterways referred to in paragraph 1 are situated along the border between two or more Member States, the Member States concerned shall consult one another and notify the Commission jointly.

4. Where a Member State intends to adopt a measure that is not justified in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the Commission may, within a period of six months from the notification, adopt implementing acts setting out its decision opposing the adoption of the measure. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 33(3).

5. The Commission shall make the measures adopted by the Member States publicly available, together with the reasoning referred to in paragraph 2.

Article 10

Recognition

1. Any Union certificate of qualification referred to in Articles 4 and 5, as well as any service record books or logbooks referred to in Article 22 that have been issued by the competent authorities in accordance with this Directive, shall be valid on all Union inland waterways.

2. Any certificate of qualification, service record book or logbook issued in accordance with the Regulations for Rhine Navigation Personnel, which lay down requirements that are identical to those of this Directive, shall be valid on all Union inland waterways.

Such certificates, service record books and logbooks that have been issued by a third country shall be valid on all Union inland waterways, provided that that third country recognises, within its jurisdiction, Union documents issued pursuant to this Directive.

3. Without prejudice to paragraph 2, any certificate of qualification, service record book or logbook that has been issued in accordance with the national rules of a third country laying down requirements that are identical to those of this Directive shall be valid on all Union inland waterways, subject to the procedure and the conditions set out in paragraphs 4 and 5.

4. Any third country may submit to the Commission a request for recognition of certificates, service record books or logbooks that have been issued by its authorities. The request shall be accompanied by all information necessary to determine whether the issuing of such documents is subject to requirements that are identical to those laid down in this Directive.

5. Upon receiving a request for recognition pursuant to paragraph 4, the Commission shall carry out an assessment of the certification systems in the requesting third country in order to determine whether the issuing of the certificates, service record books or logbooks specified in its request is subject to requirements that are identical to those laid down in this Directive.

If those requirements are found to be identical, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts granting recognition in the Union to the certificates, record books or logbooks issued by that third country, subject to that third country recognising within its jurisdiction Union documents issued pursuant to this Directive.

When adopting the implementing act referred to in the second subparagraph of this paragraph, the Commission shall specify to which documents, referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article, the recognition applies. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 33(3).

6. When a Member State considers that a third country no longer complies with the requirements of this Article, it shall notify the Commission immediately, giving substantiated reasons for its contention.

7. Every eight years, the Commission shall assess the compliance of the certification system in the third country referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 5 with the requirements laid down in this Directive. If the Commission determines that the requirements laid down in this Directive are no longer met, paragraph 8 shall apply.

8. If the Commission determines that the issuing of documents referred to in paragraphs 2 or 3 of this Article is no longer subject to identical requirements to those laid down in this Directive, it shall adopt implementing acts suspending the validity on all Union inland waterways of the certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks issued in accordance with these requirements. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 33(3).

The Commission may at any time rescind the suspension, if the identified shortcomings as regards the standards applied have been resolved.

9. The Commission shall make the list of third countries referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 publicly available, together with the documents which are recognised as valid on all Union inland waterways.

CHAPTER 3

CERTIFICATION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

SECTION I

Procedure for issuing Union certificates of qualification and specific authorisations

Article 11

Issuing and validity of Union certificates of qualification

1. Member States shall ensure that applicants for Union certificates of qualification as a deck crew member and Union certificate of qualification for specific operations provide satisfactory documentary evidence:

(a) of their identity;

(b) that they meet the minimum requirements laid down in Annex I on age, competence, administrative compliance and navigation time for the qualification for which they have applied;

(c) that they meet the standards for medical fitness in accordance with Article 23, where applicable.

2. Member States shall issue Union certificates of qualification after having verified the authenticity and validity of the documents provided by the applicants and after having verified that the applicants have not already been issued a valid Union certificate of qualification.

3. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing models for Union certificates of qualification and for single documents combining Union certificates of qualification and service record books. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 33(2).

4. The validity of the Union certificate of qualification as a deck crew member shall be limited to the date of the next medical examination required pursuant to Article 23.

5. Without prejudice to the limitation referred to in paragraph 4, Union certificates of qualification as a boatmaster shall be valid for up to a maximum of 13 years.

6. Union certificates of qualification for specific operations shall be valid for up to a maximum of five years.

Article 12

Issuing and validity of specific authorisations for boatmasters

1. Member States shall ensure that applicants for specific authorisations referred to in Article 6 provide satisfactory documentary evidence:

(a) of their identity;

(b) that they meet the minimum requirements laid down in Annex I on age, competence, administrative compliance and navigation time for the specific authorisation for which they have applied;

(c) that they hold a Union certificate of qualification as a boatmaster or of a certificate recognised in accordance with Article 10(2) and (3), or that they meet the minimum requirements for Union certificates of qualification for boatmasters provided for by this Directive.

2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, for specific authorisations for sailing on stretches of inland waterways with specific risks required pursuant to point (b) of Article 6, applicants shall provide to the competent authorities of the Member States referred to in Article 20(3) satisfactory documentary evidence:

(a) of their identity;

(b) that they meet the requirements established in accordance with Article 20 for the competence for specific risks for the specific stretch of inland waterway for which the authorisation is required;

(c) that they hold a Union certificate of qualification as a boatmaster or of a certificate recognised in accordance with Article 10(2) and (3), or that they meet the minimum requirements for Union certificates of qualification for boatmasters provided for by this Directive.

3. Member States shall issue the specific authorisations referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 after having verified the authenticity and validity of the documents provided by the applicant.

4. Member States shall ensure that the competent authority that issues Union certificates of qualification to boatmasters specifically indicates in the certificate any specific authorisation issued pursuant to Article 6 in accordance with the model referred to in Article 11(3). The validity of such specific authorisation shall end when the validity of the Union certificate of qualification ends.

5. By way of derogation from paragraph 4 of this Article, the specific authorisation referred to in point (d) of Article 6 shall be issued as a Union certificate of qualification as a liquefied natural gas expert in accordance with the model referred to in Article 11(3), the period of validity of which shall be set in accordance with Article 11(6).

Article 13

Renewal of Union certificates of qualification and of specific authorisations for boatmasters

Upon the expiry of a Union certificate of qualification, Member States shall, upon request, renew the certificate and, where relevant, the specific authorisations included therein, provided that:

(a) for Union certificates of qualification as a deck crew member and for specific authorisations other than the one referred to in point (d) of Article 6, satisfactory documentary evidence referred to in points (a) and (c) of Article 11(1) has been submitted;

(b) for Union certificates of qualification for specific operations, the satisfactory documentary evidence referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 11(1) has been submitted.

Article 14

Suspension and withdrawal of Union certificates of qualification or specific authorisations for boatmasters

1. Where there are indications that the requirements for certificates of qualification or specific authorisations are no longer met, the Member State that issued the certificate or specific authorisation shall undertake all necessary assessments and, where appropriate, shall withdraw those certificates or specific authorisation.

2. Any Member State may temporarily suspend a Union certificate of qualification where it considers that such suspension is necessary for reasons of safety or public order.

3. Member States shall record without undue delay suspensions and withdrawals in the database referred to in Article 25(2).

SECTION II

Administrative Cooperation

Article 15

Cooperation

Where a Member State referred to in Article 39(3) determines that a certificate of qualification issued by a competent authority in another Member State does not satisfy conditions laid down by this Directive, or where there are reasons of safety or public order, the competent authority shall request the issuing authority to consider suspending that certificate of qualification pursuant to Article 14. The requesting authority shall inform the Commission of its request. The authority that issued the certificate of qualification in question shall examine the request and shall notify the other authority of its decision. Any competent authority may prohibit persons from operating in its area of jurisdiction pending notification of the issuing authority’s decision.

The Member States referred to in Article 39(3) shall also cooperate with competent authorities of other Member States in order to ensure that navigation time and journeys for holders of certificates of qualification and service record books recognised under this Directive are recorded, if a holder of a service record book requests the recording, and are validated for a period of up to 15 months before the request for validation. The Member States referred to in Article 39(3) shall inform the Commission, where relevant, of the inland waterways on their territory where competences for navigation of a maritime character are required.

SECTION III

Competences

Article 16

Requirements for competences

1. Member States shall ensure that the persons referred to in Articles 4, 5 and 6 have the necessary competences for the safe operation of a craft as laid down in Article 17.

2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, the assessment of the competence for specific risks referred to in point (b) of Article 6 shall be carried out in accordance with Article 20.

Article 17

Assessment of competences

1. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 to supplement this Directive by laying down the standards for competences and corresponding knowledge and skills in compliance with the essential requirements set out in Annex II.

2. Member States shall ensure that persons who apply for the documents referred to in Articles 4, 5 and 6 demonstrate, where applicable, that they meet the standards of competence referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article by passing an examination that was organised:

(a) under the responsibility of an administrative authority in accordance with Article 18 or;

(b) as part of a training programme approved in accordance with Article 19.

3. The demonstration of compliance with the standards of competence shall include a practical examination for obtaining:

(a) a Union certificate of qualification as a boatmaster;

(b) a specific authorisation for sailing with the aid of radar as referred to in point (c) of Article 6;

(c) a Union certificate of qualification as a liquefied natural gas expert;

(d) a Union certificate of qualification as a passenger navigation expert.

To obtain the documents referred to in points (a) and (b) of this paragraph, practical examinations may take place on board a craft or on a simulator that complies with Article 21. For points (c) and (d) of this paragraph, practical examinations may take place on board a craft or at an appropriate onshore installation.

4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 to supplement this Directive by laying down standards for the practical examinations referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, specifying the specific competences and the conditions to be tested during the practical examinations, as well as the minimum requirements for the craft on which a practical examination may be taken.

Article 18

Examination under the responsibility of an administrative authority

1. Member States shall ensure that the examinations referred to in point (a) of Article 17(2) are organised under their responsibility. They shall ensure that those examinations are conducted by examiners who are qualified to assess the competences and the corresponding knowledge and skills referred to in Article 17(1).

2. Member States shall issue a practical examination certificate to applicants who have passed the practical examination referred to in Article 17(3) where that examination took place on a simulator compliant with Article 21, and where the applicant has requested such a certificate.

3. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing models for the practical examination certificates referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 33(2).

4. Member States shall recognise, without further requirements or assessments, practical examination certificates referred to in paragraph 2 that have been issued by competent authorities in other Member States.

5. In the case of written exams or computer-based exams, the examiners referred to in paragraph 1 may be replaced by qualified supervisors.

6. The Member States shall ensure that the examiners and qualified supervisors referred to in this chapter are free from conflicts of interest.

Article 19

Approval of training programmes

1. Member States may establish training programmes for the persons referred to in Articles 4, 5 and 6. Member States shall ensure that such training programmes leading to diplomas or certificates that demonstrate compliance with the standards of competence referred to in Article 17(1) are approved by the competent authorities of the Member States in whose territory the relevant education or training institute conducts its training programmes.

Member States shall ensure that the quality assessment and assurance of the training programmes is ensured by the application of a national or international quality standard in accordance with Article 27(1).

2. Member States may approve the training programmes referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article only if:

(a) the training objectives, learning content, methods, media of delivery, procedures, including the use of simulators, where applicable, and course materials are properly documented and allow applicants to achieve the standards of competence referred to in Article 17(1);

(b) the programmes for the assessment of the relevant competences are conducted by qualified persons who have in-depth knowledge of the training programme;

(c) an examination to verify compliance with the standards of competence referred to in Article 17(1) is carried out by qualified examiners who are free from conflicts of interest.

3. Member States shall recognise any diplomas or certificates awarded after the completion of training programmes approved by other Member States in accordance with paragraph 1.

4. Member States shall revoke or suspend their approval of training programmes that no longer comply with the criteria set out in paragraph 2.

5. Member States shall notify to the Commission the list of the approved training programmes, as well as any training programmes whose approval has been revoked or suspended. The Commission shall make this information publicly available. The list shall indicate the name of the training programme, the titles of diplomas or certificates awarded, the body awarding the diploma or certificates, the year of entry into force of the approval, as well as the relevant qualification and any specific authorisations to which the diploma or certificate gives access.

Article 20

Assessment of competences for specific risks

1. The Member States that identify stretches of inland waterways with specific risks in their territories, within the meaning of Article 9(1), shall specify the additional competence required from boatmasters navigating on those stretches of inland waterways, and shall specify the means necessary to prove that such requirements are met. Where Member States consider it to be necessary for the purpose of ensuring safety, they shall consult the relevant European River Commission during the process of identifying those competences.

Taking into account the competences required for navigating on the stretch of inland waterway with specific risks, the means necessary to prove that such requirements are met may consist of the following:

(a) a limited number of journeys to be carried out on the stretch concerned;

(b) a simulator examination;

(c) a multiple choice examination;

(d) an oral examination; or

(e) a combination of the means referred to in points (a) to (d).

When applying this paragraph, the Member States shall apply objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and proportionate criteria.

2. The Member States referred to in paragraph 1 shall ensure that procedures are put in place for assessing applicants’ competence for specific risks, and that tools are made publicly available to facilitate the acquisition by boatmasters of the required competence for specific risks.

3. A Member State may carry out an assessment of applicants’ competence for specific risks for stretches of inland waterways located in another Member State, on the basis of the requirements established for that stretch of inland waterway in accordance with paragraph 1, provided that the Member State where the stretch of inland waterway is located gives its consent. In such case, that Member State shall provide the Member State carrying out the assessment with the necessary means to carry it out. Member States shall justify any refusal to give consent on objective and proportional grounds.

Article 21

Use of simulators

1. Simulators used to assess competences shall be approved by Member States. That approval shall be issued upon request when it is demonstrated that the simulator complies with the standards for simulators established by delegated acts referred to in paragraph 2. The approval shall specify which particular assessment of competence is authorised as regards the simulator.

2. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 to supplement this Directive by laying down standards for the approval of simulators, specifying the minimum functional and technical requirements and the administrative procedures in this regard, with the objective of ensuring that the simulators used for an assessment of competences are designed in such a way as to allow for the verification of the competences as prescribed under the standards for practical examinations referred to in Article 17(3).

3. Member States shall recognise simulators approved by competent authorities in other Member States in accordance with paragraph 1 without further technical requirements or evaluation.

4. Member States shall revoke or suspend their approval of simulators that no longer comply with the standards referred to in paragraph 2.

5. Member States shall notify the list of the approved simulators to the Commission. The Commission shall make this information publicly available.

6. Member States shall ensure that access to simulators for the purposes of assessment is non-discriminatory.

SECTION IV

Navigation time and medical fitness

Article 22

Service record book and logbook

1. The Member States shall ensure that boatmasters record navigation time, referred to in point (b) of Article 11(1), and journeys carried out, referred to in Article 20(1), in a service record book as referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article or in a service record book recognised pursuant to Article 10(2) or (3).

By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, when Member States apply Article 7(1) or Article 39(2), the obligation laid down in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall apply only if a holder of a service record book requests the recording.

2. The Member States shall ensure that, if a crew member so requests, their competent authorities, after having verified the authenticity and validity of any necessary documentary evidence, validate in the service record book the data regarding navigation time and journeys carried out up to 15 months before the request. Where electronic tools are put in place, including electronic service record books and electronic logbooks, including appropriate procedures for safeguarding the authenticity of the documents, the corresponding data may be validated without additional procedures.

Navigation time that has been acquired on any of the Member States’ inland waterways shall be taken into consideration. In the case of inland waterways whose courses are not fully within Union territory, the navigation time acquired on sections located outside the Union territory shall also be taken into consideration.

3. Member States shall ensure that the journeys of craft referred to in Article 2(1) are recorded in the logbook referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article or in a logbook recognised pursuant to Articles 10(2) or (3).

4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing models for service record books and logbooks, taking into account the information required for the implementation of this Directive as regards the identification of the person, their navigation time and the journeys carried out. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 33(2).

When adopting those implementing acts, the Commission shall take into account the fact that the logbook is also used in the implementation of Council Directive 2014/112/EU (14), for verifying manning requirements and recording journeys of the craft.

5. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an assessment of tamper-proof electronic service record books, logbooks and professional cards that incorporate Union certificates of qualification in inland navigation, by 17 January 2026.

6. Member States shall ensure that crew members hold a single active service record book and that there is a single active logbook on the craft.

Article 23

Medical fitness

1. Member States shall ensure that deck crew members who apply for a Union certificate of qualification demonstrate their medical fitness by presenting to the competent authority a valid medical certificate issued by a medical practitioner who is recognised by the competent authority, based on the successful completion of a medical fitness examination.

2. The applicants shall present a medical certificate to the competent authority when applying for

(a) their first Union certificate of qualification as a deck crew member;

(b) their Union certificate of qualification as a boatmaster;

(c) the renewal of their Union certificate of qualification as a deck crew member in case the conditions specified in paragraph 3 of this Article are met.

Medical certificates issued for the purpose of obtaining a Union certificate of qualification shall be dated no earlier than three months before the date of the application for a Union certificate of qualification.

3. From the age of 60, the holder of a Union certificate of qualification as a deck crew member shall demonstrate medical fitness in accordance with paragraph 1 at least every five years. From the age of 70, the holder shall demonstrate medical fitness in accordance with paragraph 1 every two years.

4. Member States shall ensure that employers, boatmasters and Member States authorities are able to require a deck crew member to demonstrate medical fitness in accordance with paragraph 1 whenever there are objective indications that that deck crew member no longer fulfils the medical fitness requirements referred to in paragraph 6.

5. Where medical fitness cannot be fully demonstrated by the applicant, Member States may impose mitigation measures or restrictions that provide equivalent navigation safety. In that case, those mitigation measures and restrictions related to medical fitness shall be mentioned in the Union certificate of qualification in accordance with the model referred to in Article 11(3).

6. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 on the basis of the essential requirements for medical fitness referred to in Annex III to supplement this Directive by laying down the standards for medical fitness that specify the requirements with regards to medical fitness, in particular with regard to the tests that medical practitioners must carry out, the criteria they must apply to determine fitness for work, and the list of restrictions and mitigation measures.

CHAPTER 4

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Article 24

Protection of personal data

1. Member States shall carry out all processing of personal data provided for in this Directive in accordance with Union law on the protection of personal data, in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

2. The Commission shall carry out all processing of personal data provided for in this Directive in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.

3. Member States shall ensure that personal data are processed only for the purposes of:

(a) implementing, enforcing and evaluating this Directive;

(b) exchanging information between the authorities that have access to the database referred to in Article 25 and the Commission;

(c) producing statistics.

Anonymised information derived from such data may be used to support policies that promote inland waterway transport.

4. Member States shall ensure that the persons referred to in Articles 4 and 5 whose personal data, and in particular health data, are processed in the registers referred to in Article 25(1), and in the database referred to in Article 25(2), are informed ex ante. Member States shall grant such persons access to their personal data, and shall provide such persons with a copy of that data on request at any time.

Article 25

Registers

1. To contribute to efficient administration with respect to issuing, renewing, suspending and withdrawing certificates of qualification, Member States shall keep registers of the Union certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks issued under their authority in accordance with this Directive and, where relevant, of documents recognised pursuant to Article 10(2) which have been issued, renewed, suspended or withdrawn, which have been reported lost, stolen or destroyed, or which have expired.

For Union certificates of qualification, registers shall include the data appearing on the Union certificates of qualification and the issuing authority.

For service record books, registers shall include the name of the holder and his identification number, the service record book identification number, the date of issuance and the issuing authority.

For logbooks, registers shall include the name of the craft, the European Number of Identification or European Vessel Identification Number (ENI number), the logbook identification number, the date of issuance and the issuing authority.

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 in order to supplement the information in the registers for service record books and logbooks with other information required by the models of service record books and logbooks adopted pursuant to Article 22(4), with the objective of further facilitating the exchange of information between Member States.

2. For the purpose of implementing, enforcing and evaluating this Directive, for maintaining safety, for ease of navigation, as well as for statistical purposes, and in order to facilitate the exchange of information between the authorities that implement this Directive, Member States shall reliably record without delay data related to the certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks referred to in paragraph 1 in a database kept by the Commission.

The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 31 to provide the standards laying down the characteristics of such a database and the conditions for its use, specifying in particular:

(a) the instructions for encoding data into the database;

(b) the access rights of the users, differentiated where appropriate according to the type of users, the type of access and the purpose for which the data is used;

(c) the maximum duration that data is retained in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article, differentiated where appropriate according to the type of document;

(d) the instructions regarding the operation of the database and its interaction with the registers referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.

3. Any personal data included in the registers referred to in paragraph 1 or in the database referred to in paragraph 2 shall be stored for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the data were collected or for which they are further processed pursuant to this Directive. Once such data are no longer needed for those purposes, they shall be destroyed.

4. The Commission may provide access to the database to an authority of a third country or to an international organisation in so far as this is necessary for the purposes referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, provided that:

(a) the requirements of Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 are fulfilled; and

(b) the third country or the international organisation does not limit access by Member States or by the Commission to its corresponding database.

The Commission shall ensure that the third country or international organisation does not transfer the data to another third country or international organisation without the Commission’s express written authorisation and under the conditions specified by the Commission.

Article 26

Competent authorities

1. Member States shall designate, where applicable, which competent authorities are to:

(a) organise and supervise the examinations referred to in Article 18;

(b) approve the training programmes referred to in Article 19;

(c) approve simulators referred to in Article 21;

(d) issue, renew, suspend or withdraw the certificates and issue the specific authorisations referred to in Articles 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 38 as well as the service record books and the logbooks referred to in Article 22;

(e) validate the navigation time in service record books referred to in Article 22;

(f) determine the medical practitioners who may issue medical certificates pursuant to Article 23;

(g) keep the registers referred to in Article 25;

(h) detect and combat fraud and other unlawful practices referred to in Article 29.

2. Member States shall notify the Commission of all competent authorities within their territory that they have designated in accordance with paragraph 1. The Commission shall make this information publicly available.

Article 27

Monitoring

1. Member States shall ensure that all activities by governmental and non-governmental bodies under their authority related to training, to assessments of competence, and to the issuing and updating of Union certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks, are continuously monitored through a quality standards system to ensure the achievement of the objectives of this Directive.

2. Member States shall ensure that the training objectives and related standards of competence to be achieved are clearly defined and identify the levels of knowledge and skills to be assessed and examined in accordance with this Directive.

3. Member States shall ensure, having regard to the policies, systems, controls and internal quality-assurance reviews established to ensure achievement of the defined objectives, that the fields of application of the quality standards cover:

(a) the issuance, renewal, suspension and withdrawal of Union certificates of qualification, service record books and logbooks;

(b) all training courses and programmes;

(c) examinations and assessments carried out by or under the authority of each Member State; and

(d) the qualifications and experience required of trainers and examiners.

Article 28

Evaluation

1. Member States shall ensure that independent bodies evaluate activities relating to competence acquisition and assessment and to the administration of Union certificates of qualification, services record books and logbooks, by 17 January 2037 and at least every 10 years thereafter.

2. Member States shall ensure that the results of the evaluations by those independent bodies are duly documented and brought to the attention of the competent authorities concerned. If necessary, Member States shall take appropriate measures to remedy any shortcomings identified by the independent evaluation.

Article 29

Prevention of fraud and other unlawful practices

1. Member States shall take appropriate measures to prevent fraud and other unlawful practices involving Union certificates of qualification, service record books, logbooks, medical certificates and registers provided for in this Directive.

2. Member States shall exchange relevant information with the competent authorities of other Member States concerning the certification of persons involved in the operation of craft, including information on the suspension and withdrawal of certificates. In doing so, they shall comply fully with the principles of personal data protection laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

Article 30

Penalties

Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

CHAPTER 5

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 31

Exercise of the delegation

1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.

2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 17(1) and (4), Article 21(2), Article 23(6) and Article 25(1) and (2) shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 16 January 2018. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.

3. The delegation of power referred to in this Article may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.

4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.

5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to this Article shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.

Article 32

CESNI Standards and Delegated Acts

Delegated acts adopted under this Directive shall, except for those based on Article 25, make reference to standards established by CESNI, provided that:

(a) those standards are available and up-to-date;

(b) those standards comply with any applicable requirements set out in the Annexes;

(c) Union interests are not compromised by changes in the decision-making process of CESNI.

Where these conditions are not met, the Commission may provide or refer to other standards.

Where delegated acts adopted under this Directive refer to standards, the Commission shall include the entire text of those standards in those delegated acts, and shall make or update the relevant reference and enter the date of application in Annex IV.

Article 33

Committee procedure

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. References to the committee set up pursuant to Article 7 of Directive 91/672/EEC, which is repealed by this Directive, shall be construed as references to the committee set up by this Directive.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

Where the opinion of the Committee is to be obtained by written procedure, that procedure shall be terminated without result when, within the time-limit for delivery of the opinion, the chair of the committee so decides.

3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. If the committee’s opinion is to be obtained by written procedure, its chair may decide to terminate the procedure without result within the time-limit for the delivery of the opinion.

Article 34

CESNI Standards and Implementing Acts

When adopting the implementing acts referred to in Articles 11(3), 18(3) and 22(4) the Commission shall make reference to standards established by CESNI, and set the date of application, provided that:

(a) those standards are available and up-to-date;

(b) those standards comply with any applicable requirements set out in the Annexes;

(c) Union interests are not compromised by changes in the decision-making process of CESNI.

Where these conditions are not met, the Commission may provide or refer to other standards.

Where implementing acts adopted under this Directive refer to standards, the Commission shall include the entire text of those standards in those implementing acts.

Article 35

Review

1. The Commission shall evaluate this Directive together with the implementing and delegated acts referred to in this Directive, and shall submit the results of the evaluation to the European Parliament and the Council no later than 17 January 2030.

2. By 17 January 2028, each Member State shall make available to the Commission the information needed for the purposes of monitoring the implementation and evaluation of this Directive, in accordance with guidelines provided by the Commission in consultation with Member States as regards information collection, format and content.

Article 36

Phasing-in

1. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 17(1) and (4), Article 21(2), Article 23(6) and Article 25(1) and (2) by 17 January 2020.

At the latest 24 months after the adoption of the delegated acts referred to in Article 25(2), the Commission shall set up the database provided for in that Article.

2. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts referred to in Article 11(3), Article 18(3) and Article 22(4) by 17 January 2020.

Article 37

Repeal

Directives 91/672/EEC and 96/50/EC are repealed with effect from 18 January 2022.

References to the repealed Directives shall be construed as references to this Directive.

Article 38

Transitional provisions

1. Boatmasters’ certificates issued in accordance with Directive 96/50/EC and certificates referred to in Article 1(6) of Directive 96/50/EC, as well as Rhine navigation licences referred to in Article 1(5) of Directive 96/50/EC, that were issued prior to 18 January 2022, shall remain valid on the Union inland waterways for which they were valid before that date, for a maximum of 10 years after that date.

Before 18 January 2032, the Member State that issued the certificates referred to in the first subparagraph shall issue to boatmasters who hold such certificates in accordance with the model prescribed by this Directive, upon their request, a Union certificate of qualification or a certificate as referred to in Article 10(2), subject to the boatmaster having provided satisfactory documentary evidence as referred to in points (a) and (c) of Article 11(1).

2. When issuing Union certificates of qualification in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article, Member States shall safeguard previously granted entitlements as far as possible, in particular as regards the specific authorisations referred to in Article 6.

3. Crew members, other than boatmasters, who hold a certificate of qualification issued by a Member State prior to 18 January 2022, or who hold a qualification recognised in one or more Member States, may still rely on that certificate or qualification for a maximum of 10 years after that date. During that period, such crew members may continue to rely on Directive 2005/36/EC for the recognition of their qualification by other Member States’ authorities. Before the expiry of that period, they may apply to a competent authority issuing such certificates for a Union certificate of qualification or a certificate in application of Article 10(2), subject to the crew members having provided satisfactory evidence as referred to in points (a) and (c) of Article 11(1).

Where crew members referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph apply for a Union certificate of qualification or a certificate referred to in Article 10(2), Member States shall ensure that a certificate of qualification is issued for which the competence requirements are similar to or lower than those of the certificate to be replaced. A certificate for which the requirements are higher than those of the certificate to be replaced shall only be issued where the following conditions are met:

(a) for the Union certificate of qualification as a boatman: 540 days of navigation time, including at least 180 days in inland navigation;

(b) for the Union certificate of qualification as an able boatman: 900 days of navigation time, including at least 540 days in inland navigation;

(c) for the Union certificate of qualification as a helmsman: 1 080 days of navigation time, including at least 720 days in inland navigation.

The navigation experience shall be demonstrated by means of a service record book, logbook or other proof.

The minimum durations of the navigation time as set in points (a), (b) and (c) of the second subparagraph of this paragraph may be reduced by a maximum of 360 days of navigation time where the applicant has a diploma which is recognised by the competent authority and which confirms the applicant’s specialised training in inland navigation comprising practical navigation work. The reduction of the minimum duration may not be greater than the duration of the specialised training.

4. Service record books and logbooks issued prior to 18 January 2022 that were issued in accordance with rules other than those set out by this Directive may remain active for a maximum of 10 years after 18 January 2022.

5. By way of derogation from paragraph 3, for crew members on ferries who hold national certificates that do not fall within the scope of Directive 96/50/EC and that were issued prior to 18 January 2022, such certificates shall remain valid on those Union inland waterways for which they were valid before this date for a maximum of 20 years after that date.

Before the expiry of that period, such crew members may apply to a competent authority issuing such certificates for a Union certificate of qualification or for a certificate referred to in Article 10(2), on condition that they provide satisfactory evidence as referred to in points (a) and (c) of Article 11(1). The second and the third subparagraph of paragraph 3 of this Article shall apply accordingly.

6. By way of derogation from Article 4(1), until 17 January 2038, Member States may allow boatmasters who sail sea-going ships operating on specific inland waterways to carry a certificate of competency for masters that has been issued in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention, provided that:

(a) this inland navigation activity is performed at the beginning or at the end of a maritime transport journey; and

(b) the Member State has recognised certificates referred to in this paragraph for at least five years on 16 January 2018 on the inland waterways concerned.

Article 39

Transposition

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 17 January 2022. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt those measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.

2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, a Member State in which all persons referred to in Article 4(1), Article 5(1) and Article 6 operate exclusively on national inland waterways that are not linked to the navigable network of another Member State shall only be obliged to bring into force those measures which are necessary to ensure compliance with Articles 7, 8, 10 as regards recognition of certificates of qualification and the service record book, Article 14(2) and (3) as regards suspensions, the second subparagraph of Article 22(1) and (2), point (d) of Article 26(1) where applicable, points (e) and (h) of Article 26(1), Article 26(2), Article 29 as regards prevention of fraud, Article 30 as regards penalties and Article 38 with the exception of paragraph 2 of that Article as regards transitional provisions. Such Member State shall bring those measures into force by 17 January 2022.

Such Member State may not issue Union certificates of qualifications or approve training programmes or simulators until it has transposed and implemented the remaining provisions of this Directive and has informed the Commission that it has done so.

3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, a Member State in which all persons are exempted pursuant to Article 2(3) shall only be obliged to bring into force those measures which are necessary to ensure compliance with Article 10 as regards recognition of certificates of qualification and the service record book, with Article 38 as regards recognition of valid certificates, as well as with Article 15. Such Member State shall bring those measures into force by 17 January 2022.

Such Member State may not issue Union certificates of qualification or approve training programmes or simulators until it has transposed and implemented the remaining provisions of this Directive and has informed the Commission that it has done so.

4. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, a Member State shall not be obliged to transpose this Directive as long as inland waterway navigation is not technically possible on its territory.

Such Member State may not issue Union certificates of qualification or approve training programmes or simulators until it has transposed and implemented the provisions of this Directive and informed the Commission that it has done so.

5. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

Article 40

Entry into force

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 41

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Strasbourg, 12 December 2017. For the European Parliament The President A. TAJANI For the Council The President M. MAASIKAS

(1) OJ C 389, 21.10.2016, p. 93.

(2) Position of the European Parliament of 14 November 2017 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 4 December 2017.

(3) Council Directive 91/672/EEC of 16 December 1991 on the reciprocal recognition of national boatmasters’ certificates for the carriage of goods and passengers by inland waterway (OJ L 373, 31.12.1991, p. 29).

(4) Council Directive 96/50/EC of 23 July 1996 on the harmonization of the conditions for obtaining national boatmasters’ certificates for the carriage of goods and passengers by inland waterway in the Community (OJ L 235, 17.9.1996, p. 31).

(5) Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22).

(6) Council Directive 94/33/EC of 22 June 1994 on the protection of young people at work (OJ L 216, 20.8.1994, p. 12).

(7) Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1).

(8) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).

(9) Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

(10) OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1.

(11) Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on the inland transport of dangerous goods (OJ L 260, 30.9.2008, p. 13).

(12) Directive 2008/106/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on the minimum level of training of seafarers (OJ L 323, 3.12.2008, p. 33).

(13) Directive 2005/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates issued by the Member States and amending Directive 2001/25/EC (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 160).

(14) Council Directive 2014/112/EU of 19 December 2014 implementing the European Agreement concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time in inland waterway transport, concluded by the European Barge Union (EBU), the European Skippers Organisation (ESO) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) (OJ L 367, 23.12.2014, p. 86).

ANNEX I MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR AGE, ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE, COMPETENCE AND NAVIGATION TIME The minimum requirements for the deck crew qualifications set out in this Annex are to be understood as an ascending level of qualifications, with the exception of the qualifications of deckhands and apprentices, which are considered to be at the same level. 1 Deck crew qualifications at entry level 1.1 Minimum requirements for certification as a deckhand Every applicant for a Union certificate of qualification shall: — be at least 16 years of age; — have completed basic safety training according to national requirements. 1.2 Minimum requirements for certification as an apprentice Every applicant for a Union certificate of qualification shall: — be at least 15 years of age; — have signed an apprenticeship agreement which provides for an approved training programme as referred to in Article 19. 2 Deck crew qualifications at operational level 2.1 Minimum requirements for certification as a boatman Every applicant for a Union certificate of qualification shall: (a) — be at least 17 years of age; — have completed an approved training programme, as referred to in Article 19, which was of a duration of at least two years, and which covered the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II; — have accumulated navigation time of at least 90 days as part of this approved training programme; or (b) — be at least 18 years of age; — have passed an assessment of competence by an administrative authority as referred to in Article 18, to verify that the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II are met; — have accumulated navigation time of at least 360 days, or have accumulated navigation time of at least 180 days if the applicant can also provide proof of work experience of at least 250 days that the applicant acquired on a sea-going ship as a member of the deck crew; or (c) — have a minimum of five years’ work experience prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme, or have at least 500 days’ work experience on a sea-going ship as a member of the deck crew prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme, or have completed any vocational training programme of at least three years’ duration prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme; — have completed an approved training programme as referred to in Article 19, which was of a duration of at least nine months, and which covered the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II; — have accumulated navigation time of at least 90 days as part of that approved training programme. 2.2 Minimum requirements for certification as an able boatman Every applicant for a Union certificate of qualification shall: (a) — have accumulated navigation time of at least 180 days while qualified to serve as boatman; or (b) — have completed an approved training programme as referred to in Article 19, which was of a duration of at least three years, and which covered the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II; — have accumulated navigation time of at least 270 days as part of this approved training programme. 2.3 Minimum requirements for certification as a helmsman Every applicant for a Union certificate of qualification shall: (a) — have accumulated navigation time of at least 180 days while qualified to serve as able boatman; — hold a radio operator’s certificate; or (b) — have completed an approved training programme as referred to in Article 19, which was of a duration of at least three years, and which covered the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II; — have accumulated navigation time of at least 360 days as part of this approved training programme; — hold a radio operator’s certificate; or (c) — have a minimum of 500 days’ work experience as a maritime master; — have passed an assessment of competence by an administrative authority as referred to in Article 18 to verify that the standards of competence for the operational level set out in Annex II are met; — hold a radio operator’s certificate. 3 Deck crew qualifications at management level 3.1 Minimum requirements for certification as a boatmaster Every applicant for a Union certificate of qualification shall: (a) — be at least 18 years of age; — have completed an approved training programme as referred to in Article 19, which was of a duration of at least three years and which covered the standards of competence for the management level set out in Annex II; — have accumulated navigation time of at least 360 days as part of this approved training programme or after completion thereof; — hold a radio operator’s certificate; or (b) — be at least 18 years of age; — hold a Union certificate of qualification as a helmsman or a certificate as a helmsman recognised in accordance with Article 10(2) or (3); — have accumulated navigation time of at least 180 days; — have passed an assessment of competence by an administrative authority as referred to in Article 18 to verify that the standards of competence for the management level set out in Annex II are met; — hold a radio operator’s certificate; or (c) — be at least 18 years of age; — have accumulated navigation time of at least 540 days, or have accumulated navigation time of at least 180 days, if the applicant can also provide proof of work experience of at least 500 days that the applicant acquired on a sea-going ship as a member of the deck crew; — have passed an assessment of competence by an administrative authority as referred to in Article 18 to verify that the standards of competence for the management level set out in Annex II are met; — hold a radio operator’s certificate; or (d) — have a minimum of five years’ work experience prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme, or have at least 500 days’ work experience on a sea-going ship as a member of the deck crew prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme, or have completed any vocational training programme of at least three years’ duration prior to the enrolment in an approved training programme; — have completed an approved training programme referred to in Article 19, which was of a duration of at least one and a half years, and which covered the standards of competence for the management level set out in Annex II; — have accumulated navigation time of at least 180 days as part of that approved training programme and at least 180 days after completion thereof; — hold a radio operator’s certificate. 3.2 Minimum requirements for specific authorisations for Union certificates of qualification as a boatmaster 3.2.1 Waterways with a maritime character Every applicant shall: — meet the standards of competence for sailing on waterways with a maritime character set out in Annex II. 3.2.2 Radar Every applicant shall: — meet the standards of competence for sailing with the aid of radar set out in Annex II. 3.2.3 Liquefied natural gas Every applicant shall: — hold a Union certificate of qualification as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) expert referred to in section 4.2. 3.2.4 Large convoys Every applicant shall have accumulated navigation time of at least 720 days, including at least 540 days while qualified to serve as a boatmaster and at least 180 days in steering a large convoy. 4 Qualifications for specific operations 4.1 Minimum requirements for the certification of a passenger navigation expert Every applicant for the first Union certificate of qualification as a passenger navigation expert shall: — be at least 18 years of age; — meet the standards of competence for passenger navigation experts set out in Annex II. Every applicant for the renewal of a Union certificate of qualification as a passenger navigation expert shall: — pass a new administrative exam or complete a new approved training programme in accordance with Article 17(2). 4.2 Minimum requirements for certification as a LNG expert Every applicant for the first Union certificate of qualification as a LNG expert shall: — be at least 18 years of age; — meet the standards of competence for LNG experts set out in Annex II. Every applicant for the renewal of a Union certificate of qualification as a LNG expert shall: (a) have accumulated the following navigation time aboard a craft using LNG as fuel: — at least 180 days during the previous five years; or — at least 90 days during the previous year; or (b) meet the standards of competence for LNG experts set out in Annex II.

ANNEX II ESSENTIAL COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS 1 Essential competence requirements at operational level 1.1 Navigation The boatman shall assist the management of the craft in situations of manoeuvring and handling a craft on inland waterways. The boatman shall be able to do so on all types of waterways and in all types of ports. In particular the boatman shall be able to: — assist in preparing the craft for sailing, in order to ensure a safe voyage in all circumstances; — assist with mooring and anchoring operations; — assist in the sailing and manoeuvring of the craft in a nautically safe and economical way. 1.2 Operation of craft The boatman shall be able to: — assist the management of the craft in controlling the operation of the craft and in the care of persons on board; — use the equipment of the craft. 1.3 Cargo handling, stowage and passenger transport The boatman shall be able to: — assist the management of the craft in the preparation, stowage and monitoring of cargo during loading and unloading operations; — assist the vessel’s management in providing services to passengers; — provide direct assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility in accordance with the training requirements and instructions of Annex IV of Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1); 1.4 Marine engineering and electrical, electronic and control engineering The boatman shall be able to: — assist the management of the craft in marine, electrical, electronic, and control engineering to ensure general technical safety; — perform maintenance work on marine, electrical, electronic, and control engineering equipment to ensure general technical safety. 1.5 Maintenance and repair The boatman shall be able to: — assist the management of the craft in maintaining and repairing the craft, its devices and its equipment. 1.6 Communication The boatman shall be able to: — communicate generally and professionally, which includes the ability to use standardised communication phrases in situations with communication problems; — be sociable. 1.7 Health and safety and environmental protection The boatman shall be able to: — adhere to safe working rules, understand the importance of health and safety rules and the importance of the environment; — acknowledge the importance of training on safety aboard and act immediately in the event of emergencies; — take precautions to prevent fire, and use the firefighting equipment correctly; — perform duties, taking into account the importance of protecting the environment. 2 Essential competence requirements for competences at management level 2.0 Supervision The boatmaster shall be able to: — instruct other deck crew members and supervise the tasks they exercis