§240 船舶用機器指令2014/90/EU（MED）

The Marine Equipment Directive 2014/90/EU (MED) is not a "New Approach" Directive, as it is based on the principles of the "Global Approach" and does not provide for CE marking (instead, it provides for "the wheel mark"). The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU specifically excludes from its scope "seagoing vessels and mobile offshore units together with equipment on board such vessels or units", and equipment for use on board a ship is subject only to the MED directive, excluding all others. Nevertheless, the constructional requirements for explosion-protected equipment at sea are generally the same as onshore: this is illustrated by the reference of the MED to the same or very similar standards, as harmonised under the ATEX Directive. In fact, certain products (such as gas detection equipment) are used offshore and onshore, thus requiring certification per the ATEX Directive and/or by the MED, according to their intended use.

The Marine Equipment Directive 2014/90/EU, replacing the previous Directive 96/98/EC, is applicable from 18 September 2016.

As already indicated (see section § 32), in some specific circumstances clarification is needed, in order to decide whether a certain product falls within the scope of Directive 2014/34/EU or not. This will be clarified using different examples concerning the application of the ATEX Directive to specific equipment, on the basis of "Consideration Papers" and other guidance documents discussed and approved by the ATEX Committee or ATEX Expert Group.

Also, the "Borderline list - ATEX products" is useful to clarify the situation of a number of products (equipment, protective systems, components, safety controlling or regulating devices, and others) with respect to the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.