The nautical industry is developing an Environmental Footprint Standard

Under the umbrella of EBI, the European Boating Industry lobby, a group of 16 recreational boat manufacturers and eight industry associations is coming together to develop the first-ever environmental footprint methodology for recreational boats under 24m. It will be backed up by a database and assessment tool to allow small and large manufacturers to access the green transition.

The threshold of 24m has been chosen to align with EU regulations. It will be based on a coherent Life Cycle Assessment approach following the stringent EU Product Environmental Footprint category rules.The project will be conducted in two phases, first focusing on developing a science-based and transparent environmental footprint methodology to harmonis e calculation rules. In the second phase, the focus will be on implementing this with a comprehensive materials database and user-friendly calculation tool. This then allows manufacturers to conduct eco-design and comprehensively reduce environmental impact, as well as communicate the environmental footprint to consumers, stakeholders and regulators. It will go beyond carbon emissions and include other critical environmental indicators.

This common effort will also allow industry to comply with the latest EU environmental legislation and be ahead of the regulatory curve. The project has already been presented to the EU Commission and received its strong support. The project is led by EBI and is industry-financed. The environmental sustainability consultancy Quantis has been chosen as technical partner. ICOMIA, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations, is a strategic partner of the project to ensure global alignment. It builds on the comprehensive and independent ‘Pathways to Propulsion Decarbonisation for the Recreational Marine Industry’ study published in November 20231.

Robert Marx, EBI president, says: “This is a unique and highly welcome cooperation. For the first time, competing manufacturers are committed to jointly addressing the sustainability challenge. Its outcomes will allow companies of all sizes to access the green transition without greenwashing, reduce environmental impact and proactively shape the regulatory approach in Europe and globally. We need a proactive and pragmatic approach to sustainability and this project will develop the tools that industry needs.”

Source: IBI News

EBI invites all interested manufacturers, suppliers and stakeholders to partner with the project to reach a common pathway for the industry’s sustainability challenge.