{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2005-323/annex/part-I/division-1",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2005-323/annex/part-I/division-1.json",
  "legislation": "eudn/2005/323",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Decision of 21 April 2005 on the safety requirements to be met by the European standards for floating leisure articles for use on or in the water pursuant to Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document number C(2005) 1209) (Text with EEA relevance) (2005/323/EC)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2005-323",
  "path": "annex/part/I/division/1",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Product definition",
  "text": "The floating articles covered by this Decision are leisure articles for use on or in the water whose floatation is ensured by buoyancy through inflation or inherent buoyant materials. These articles are not covered by any product-specific EU legislation, which are used on and in the water for leisure activities such as playing in the water, water sports, boating, diving and learning to swim, beyond the most typical and traditional products in that sector. Some of those products have been established on the European market for years whereas others are new, with new products appearing constantly.\nMost of these products are in part modified traditional core products or derived from them and further developed. Increasingly, often land-based playground equipment is being adapted for use on the water.\nThese new products aim at increasing pleasure and entertainment but also to increase speed or to enhance action and thrill with new adventurous activities such as ‘tubing’ and ‘white water rafting’.\nFloating leisure articles covered by Directive 88/378/EEC concerning the safety of toys, by Directive 89/686/EEC relating to personal protective equipment and by Directive 94/25/EC relating to recreational craft are excluded from this Decision.\nFloating articles covered by this Decision must be classified by their intended use, means of propulsion and design, in the following classes:\nClass A Floating articles intended for static positional use on or in the water. Position of user upon the buoyant structure. Intended for both single and collective use, mainly passive. Normally no mechanical means of propulsion. Devices may be designed in a way which provides floating stability, or may have to be balanced by the user.\nArticles designed for protective functions, covered by Directive 89/686/EEC, are excluded. The same way, articles designed or clearly intended for individual use in play by children in shallow water, covered by Directive 88/378/EEC, are excluded.\nClass B Floating articles which are intended for static use. Position of the user is inside a buoyant structure which develops around the user’s body (relatively tight fit). Devices may provide a body-holding system or the user may be expected to hold himself by the arms and hands. Body-holding system might be an integrated seat, straps or other means of holding regardless of the body posture (sitting, standing, lying, kneeling, etc.). User’s body is more or less immersed. Normally the upper part (chest upwards) is out of the water. Intended for both single and collective use. Normally no mechanical means of propulsion.\nArticles designed for protective functions, covered by Directive 89/686/EEC, are excluded. The same way, articles designed or clearly intended for individual use in play by children in shallow water, covered by Directive 88/378/EEC, are excluded.\nClass C Floating articles for dynamic use, i.e. application at high speed. Position of user is upon or inside the buoyant structure. There may be a cockpit or seat or other means to give hold to the user. The device is towed behind external means of propulsion. User is required to manage floating stability and safe course behind the towing devices.\nClass D Floating articles for active use i.e. climbing, jumping and any connected activity. No distinct position of user. Intended for both single and collective use. Normally no mechanical means of propulsion. Articles designed for protective functions, covered by Directive 89/686/EEC, are excluded. The same way, articles designed or clearly intended for individual use in play by children in shallow water, covered by Directive 88/378/EEC, are excluded.\nClass E Inflatable boats with buoyancy less than 1 800 N and a hull length of more than 1,2 m and less than 2,5 m, measured according to the appropriate harmonised standards intended for sports and leisure purposes as defined in Directive 94/25/EC. Single and collective use. Position of user inside the buoyant structure (wide cockpit).",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2005/323/annex/part/I/division/1",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:17:56.559576+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}