International Marine Certification Institute
The International Marine Certification Institute IMCI was established in Brussels, Belgium, as an independent certification organisation to serve the interests of the European and International recreational boating industry. With the establishment of the European Communities Directive for Recreational Craft (94/25/EC), IMCI is able to provide a valuable certification service to manufacturers who desire to market their boats, yachts, and certain components in the European market.
IMCI has engaged with an exceptional team of 47 qualified international inspectors for the certification process. They represent 21 countries not only of the EU and their experience and backgrounds ensure a quality IMCI certification program what emphasizes strict compliance with the essential elements or the Directive. These Inspectors will support and advise you during the process.
History
In early 1988, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) took the initiative to ensure that its members became directly involved in the proposal for a directive for recreational craft. This was finally made possible after ICOMIA was accepted as an observing member at the European Union (EU) meetings in Brussels.
For several years, direct input to the draft directive came via ICOMIA's Technical Committee and later ICOMIA's Certification Committee.
Recreational boat certification was a special concern in the mid 1990s because the European Association of Classification Societies (EurACS) was also an observing member at the EU meetings and naturally wanted to impose its certification procedures and price levels on the boating industry. Of secondary concern, especially to the USA and other countries outside the EU, was the requirement that certification can only be conducted by European certifiers. This led to the perception and wide criticism of a "Fortress Europe."
The EU suggested following that by using a planned Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), other non-EU countries may also be able to provide this certification. Non-EU countries were sceptical AbOUT implementation of this approach. This was the first formal introduction that non-EU countries received about the proposed certification procedures. The proposal drove many EU and non-EU organisations to ACTIVE responses. At the outset, the EU's position was that only those organisations which were already involved in boat certification could be accepted as a certifier, according to the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). Thus, for an organisation to become involved in certification activities, it must already have a marine certification program underway in Europe.
Lars Erik Granholm, born in Finland in 1934 and immigrated to the USA in 1961, proposed that the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) together with the European manufacturer organisations help form a globally working organisation to certify recreational boats for the EU. Granholm, a naval architect by education and trade, was at that time involved in setting up the NMMA boat and engine certification programs in the U.S. On September 1, 1989, NMMA required engine certification as a condition of membership. The NMMA engine certification program was underway and well accepted by the industry. In early 1990, the NMMA Board supported Granholm's proposal to form an organisation to certify recreational boats for the EU. This organisation was named the "International Marine Certification Institute" (IMCI) and was based in Brussels, Belgium.
Organisation and structure
IMCI policy comes from a Board of 34 Directors from 18 countries.
Activities
- CE Certification of Boats and Components
- Certification of Experts
- Certification of Marinas
- Certification of Retailers