2000/638/EC: Commission Decision of 22 September 2000 on the application of Article 3(3)(e) of Directive 1999/5/EC to marine radio communication equipment intended to be fitted to seagoing non-SOLAS vessels and which is intended to participate in the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) and not covered by Council Directive 96/98/EC on marine equipment (notified under document number C(2000) 2719) (Text with EEA relevance)

Commission Decision
of 22 September 2000
on the application of Article 3(3)(e) of Directive 1999/5/EC to marine radio communication equipment intended to be fitted to seagoing non-SOLAS vessels and which is intended to participate in the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) and not covered by Council Directive 96/98/EC on marine equipment
(notified under document number C(2000) 2719)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2000/638/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity(1), and in particular Article 3(3)(e), thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 96/98/EC on marine equipment(2), as amended by Commission Directive 98/85/EC(3),
Whereas:
(1) A number of Member States have implemented or intend to implement common safety principles and rules for radio equipment on seagoing non-SOLAS vessels.
(2) The harmonisation of radio services shall contribute to a safer navigation of seagoing non-SOLAS vessels, particularly in case of distress and bad weather conditions.
(3) MSC Circular 803 on the participation of non-SOLAS ships in the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) and Resolution MSC.77(69) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) invite governments to apply the guidelines for the participation of non-SOLAS ships in the GMDSS and urges governments to require certain features be implemented in relation to the global distress and safety system on radio equipment fitted to seagoing non-SOLAS vessels.
(4) Equipment falling within the scope of Directive 96/98/EC on marine equipment, as amended by Commission Directive 98/85/EC is not covered by this Decision as it is outside the scope of Directive 1999/5/EC.
(5) The ITU Radio Regulations specify certain frequencies that are designated for use by the global maritime distress and safety system.
(6) All radio equipment operating on these frequencies which is intended for use in times of distress should be compatible with the designated use of these frequencies and it should provide a reasonable guarantee of assurance that it will function correctly in times of distress.
(7) The measures set out in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Telecommunications Conformity Assessment and Market Surveillance Committee,