TÜV NORD is now a Notified Body for certification of fire protection equipment and life-saving appliances on ships. This means that manufacturers can now combine the audits and tests they need under the umbrella of TÜV NORD GROUP – enabling faster times to market and lower certification costs.
Ships that fly the flag of an EU member site must be fitted with fire protection equipment and life-saving appliances which are approved according to the European Marine Equipment Directive 2014/90/EU (MED). The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has now nominated the SEECERT certification body of TÜV NORD as a conformity assessment provider for the approval of fire protection equipment and life-saving appliances. Certificates can therefore now be supplied from one source based on the specific modules and fire tests that are required: the fire test procedures according to the 2010 FTP Code (Resolution MSC.307(88)) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are performed by DMT, a sister company of TÜV NORD GROUP; approval according to the MED Directive is carried out by the TÜV NORD certification body SEECER.
“We are currently receiving a great deal of interest from the market, as what we can offer has a clear advantage for manufacturers: rationalising the approval process leads to maximum time saving, as we bundle tests and audits and can bring them together in the best possible way”, explains Tobias Nelke, Head of the SEECERT certification body at TÜV NORD.
Valid throughout the EU
Following successful approval, the products are accorded the “wheel mark” seal of conformity. They can then be used on board EU ships throughout the EU without the need for further national procedures. The approval applies for a set time, for example for five years. It can then be extended without the need for re-testing, as long as no changes have been made to the tested prototype of the particular item of equipment and the requirements of the directive themselves have not changed. Testing of fire protection characteristics in accordance with the 2010 FTP Code must be repeated at the latest every 15 years.
More information regarding product certification for marine equipment can be found on the TÜV NORD website (Link).
About TÜV NORD GROUP
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD GROUP is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industrial Services, Mobility, IT and Education and Training. TÜV NORD GROUP occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of raw materials and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: “Excellence for your business”.