International shipping transports more than 80 per cent of global trade to peoples and communities all over the world. Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation for most goods; it provides a dependable, low-cost means of transporting goods globally, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples.

IMO wheelmark

“Wheelmark” certification for products used on board ships.

The world relies on a safe, secure and efficient international shipping industry – and this is provided by the regulatory framework developed and maintained by IMO, the International Maritme Organisation.

Marine Equipment Directive 2014/90/EU

The Marine Equipment Directive covers any ship flying a flag of an EEA member state. Conformity assessment is through a Notified Body, such as Centexbel, and the compliance mark is the Ship's Wheel.
 
The MED is aimed at ensuring that equipment which has to meet the requirements of international conventions (e.g., SOLAS, MARPOL, etc.) agreed at IMO (the International Maritime Organisation), additionally meets a common standard of safety and performance.
 
It also ensures that certificates issued by European Union member states, or on their behalf by notified bodies, are acceptable to each member state through the harmonisation of their approval requirements.
 

Product

  • Fire protection equipment Production quality assurance

Procedures

  • Product quality assurance
  • Product verification
  • EC type-examination

Fire protection equipment

  • MED/3.3 Firefighter equipment: protective clothing
  • MED/3.5 Firefighter equipment: protective gloves
  • MED/3.18 Surface materials and floor covering with a low flame spread: 
    a)    decorative veneers;
    b)    paint systems; 
    c)    floor coverings; 
    d)    pipe insulation covers; 
    e)    adhesives used in the construction of ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ class divisions;
    f)    combustible ducts membrane.
  • MED/3.19 Draperies, curtains and other suspended textile materials and films
  • MED/3.20 Upholstered furniture
  • MED/3.21 Bedding components
  • MED/3.9 Protective clothing resistant to the effects of chemical substances

Certification rules - Marine Equipment Directive (MED)

The European Directive on Marine Equipment or MED 2014/90 makes it mandatory to affix the wheel mark on products that are used as marine equipment. By affixing the wheel mark, the manufacturer attests that the product is in conformity with the applicable legal safety and health requirements and that it is marketed in conformity with the legislation. The technical requirements with which the products have to comply are defined in the corresponding harmonized European standards or technical specifications.