GLOBAL: Lifecycle assessment for recreational boats

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), European Boating Industry (EBI) and National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) have joined together to develop a global recreational marine lifecycle assessment (LCA) framework. The partnership establishes the first-ever global collaboration to assess, measure and report on environmental performance of recreational boats.

The framework provides a methodology to quantify the environmental performance of a recreational boat through every phase of its life, including raw materials, production, use phase, disposal and recycling.

EBI and NMMA recognise that ensuring the long-term resilience of the recreational marine industry requires forward-thinking sustainability strategies that balance business growth with responsible practices. Developing a global approach to assessing the full lifecycle of products is a critical step in helping manufacturers make informed decisions that strengthen their operations, supply chains and product design, while meeting evolving market expectations.

“Since 1966, ICOMIA has helped the global recreational marine industry create a better boating experience that reduces our environmental footprint,” said Darren Vaux, president of ICOMIA. “Developing a standardised LCA, a continuation of the industry’s Propelling Our Future initiative, is an important step in advancing this work, ensuring there is a consistent path for measurement and self-regulation across our industry.”

“EBI has been developing an LCA methodology for the European market given some of our members’ more immediate needs and the collaboration with ICOMIA and NMMA provides a long-term globally aligned solution. The final collaborative LCA methodology will allow us to improve environmental performance and transform the future of the global industry. We are glad to open our doors to our global partners to work on the next phase,” said Robert Marx, president of EBI. "A harmonised lifecycle assessment is crucial to moving the industry forward in lockstep—from eco-design to navigating the regulatory landscape and ensuring we continue to do our part to protect the environment.”

ICOMIA, EBI and NMMA will complete an extensive review of LCA methodologies to identify the most relevant approach for the global market, building on the projects already completed or underway with EBI’s Blue Boat Horizon project and ICOMIA’s Marine Engine Committee (IMEC). In addition to the methodology, the global recreational marine lifecycle assessment project will ultimately include the development of standard inventory databases, tools, communications materials and educational initiatives to help manufacturers and other marine organisations.

As the LCA is built, ICOMIA, EBI and NMMA will convene a global task force with involvement from associations and companies around the world.