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Declaration of Conformity

If you build or import for sale or use in Canada a pleasure craft of less than 24 metres or a non-pleasure craft of 15 gross tonnage or less, you must verify that the vessel complies with all applicable construction requirements of the Small Vessel Regulations.

The construction requirements are stated in part 7 of the Small Vessel Regulations and in the incorporated documents such as the Construction Standards for Small Vessels, TP 1332.

After ensuring that the vessel complies with the construction requirements you must follow this process for each vessel model*:

Complete a Declaration of Conformity (form no.80-0009) stating which requirements apply and confirming that the vessel complies, and send it, along with the photographs or drawings described in the Declaration of Conformity, to Transport Canada at the address below.

For each vessel, or model of vessel, you must maintain records of the technical documentation or information used — including the tests or calculations performed — to ensure compliance with the construction requirements and a copy of the declaration of conformity. The records must be kept for a period of seven years after the day on which they are established and be provided on request to any person or organization authorized under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, to carry out inspections.

Permanently attach a Compliance Notice to the inside of each vessel in a conspicuous location plainly visible from the operating position.

Manufacturers or importers may produce their own Compliance Notice. The notices must comply with the requirements of the Small Vessel Regulations (Part 8) and the format must be as indicated in the Construction Standards for Small Vessels (Section 2). Until April 29, 2011, Compliance Notices may also be ordered from Transport Canada by following the Application Process for Compliance Notices. After that date Compliance Notices will have to be produced by the manufacturer or importer.

For serially produced models, complete an Annual Production Report (form no.80-0010) and send it to Transport Canada at the address below. The form must be submitted each year before March 31.

Send completed Declarations of Conformity and Annual Production Reports to:

Transport Canada, Marine Safety (AMSRA)
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N8

The manufacturer or importer must also provide a copy of the Declaration of Conformity** to the reseller or end user at the time of the initial transfer of ownership (e.g. the first sale) of the vessel.

The requirement to produce a Declaration of Conformity and to attach a Compliance Notice does not apply to vessels built or imported for personal use or open vessels of traditional construction using wood or other traditional materials or, in the case of a canoe, using glass-reinforced plastic. If such vessels are mass-produced or can be fitted with an inboard or a stern-drive engine, they must comply with the construction requirements.

* The requirement to produce a Declaration of Conformity and to attach a Compliance Notice to vessel other than a pleasure craft is mandatory as of April 29, 2011. Until that date it is recommended but not mandatory.

** For vessels for which applications for Compliance Notices have been submitted and accepted by Transport Canada prior to the August 15, 2010, a Statutory Declaration may be provided instead of a Declaration of Conformity until April 29, 2012, two years after the coming into force of the new Small Vessel Regulations.

List of Forms
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY(form no.80-0009)
ANNUAL PRODUCTION REPORT (form no.80-0010)

Date modified:
2011-04-19