Type approval - When is a flare not a flare?
The Red Ensign mark and UKCA
Relevant documents and M-notices: MSN 1874, MIN 542
A common question at OOW level is about the markings on LSA, FSS etc. This changed with Brexit; previously, the wheel mark was the conformity mark to look for. Now new equipment will be marked with the Red Ensign (see MSN 1874 Annex 5), while older equipment may still show the wheel mark. This is under the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 Regulation 15:
The manufacturer must, at the end of the production stage, affix the United Kingdom conformity mark to—
(a) each item of equipment for which a declaration of United Kingdom conformity is required, or
(b) a data plate attached to that equipment
Where this is not possible, the mark must be on the packaging, a label or a document distributed with the equipment.
UK standards are still almost entirely in line with European standards. While it is likely that these will diverge in the future, bear in mind that both sets of standards come from international conventions and codes in the first place; SOLAS, the LSA and FSS codes etc. While national requirements may be more stringent than these international requirements, they cannot be less so; this is why so many specifications state ‘at least’ or ‘no greater than’ or ‘for a minimum of x minutes’ rather than specifying an absolute value.
The Red Ensign Mark must:
Be legibly and permanently marked on equipment that complies with the regulations
Contrast the background it is printed or stamped on
Have vertical dimensions of at least 5mm with the ability to waive this for smaller products
Be accompanied by the identification number of the Approved Body and the date of affixing the mark
An example: electronic Visual Distress Signals (eVDS)