Small craft - Electrical/electronic control systems for steering, shift and throttle

This document establishes the requirements for the design, construction and testing of electrical/electronic steering, shift and throttle systems and dynamic positioning control systems, or combinations thereof, on small craft of up to 24 m length of hull.
This document does not apply to electric trolling motors and autopilot systems on sailing craft.

Kleine Wasserfahrzeuge - Elektrische/elektronische Regelungssysteme für Steuerung, Schaltung und Antrieb

Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen für den Entwurf, die Ausführung und die Prüfung von elektrischen/elektronischen Systemen für die Steuerung, Getriebeschaltung und die Drehzahlregelung, sowie von dynamischen Positionskontrollsystemen oder Kombinationen davon auf kleinen Wasserfahrzeugen mit einer Rumpflänge bis 24 m fest.
Dieses Dokument gilt nicht für elektrische Außenbordmotoren und Schiffs-Voraus-Steuerungssysteme auf Segelfahrzeugen.

Petits navires - Systèmes électriques/électroniques pour le contrôle de la direction, de l'inverseur et des gaz

Le présent document établit les exigences relatives à la conception, la construction et les essais des systèmes électriques/électroniques de contrôle de la direction, de commandes d'inverseur, des gaz et de positionnement dynamique, ou de leur combinaison, sur les petits navires d'une longueur de coque inférieure ou égale à 24 m.
Le présent document ne s'applique pas aux moteurs électriques de pêche à la traîne et aux pilotes automatiques installés sur les voiliers.

Mala plovila - Električni/elektronski regulacijski sistem za krmarjenje, prestavljanje in pogon - Dopolnilo A12

Ta dokument določa zahteve za načrtovanje, izdelavo in preskušanje električnih/elektronskih krmilnih, prestavnih in plinskih sistemov ter sistemov za dinamično pozicioniranje, ali njihovih kombinacij, na majhnih plovilih dolžine trupa do 24 m.
Ta dokument se ne uporablja za električne trolling motorje (električni motorji za počasno plovbo) in avtopilotske sisteme na jadrnicah.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
24-Mar-2026
Technical Committee
CEN/TC 464 - Small Craft
Current Stage
6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
Start Date
25-Mar-2026
Due Date
25-May-2028
Completion Date
25-Mar-2026

Relations

Effective Date
28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 is a European standard published by CEN that specifies the requirements for the design, construction, and testing of electrical and electronic steering, shift, and throttle control systems on small craft up to 24 meters in hull length. The amendment A12:2026 brings this essential marine industry standard up to date with current regulatory expectations and technical advancements. This document also covers dynamic positioning control systems or combinations of these systems. Notably, it excludes electric trolling motors and autopilot systems used on sailing craft.

Small craft manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and marine engineers benefit from this standard by ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with the relevant parts of the EU Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft.

Key Topics

  • Scope and Applicability: Applies to small craft with electrical/electronic control systems for crucial vessel functions like steering, shifting gears, and throttle control.
  • Design and Construction: Outlines principles for designing and building safe, robust, and reliable electrical and electronic control systems for marine use.
  • Testing Requirements: Specifies rigorous testing for performance, environmental tolerance, and safety, covering aspects such as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), mechanical and climatic loads, and more.
  • Compliance and Conformity: Provides a presumption of conformity with essential requirements under Directive 2013/53/EU when applied as published.
  • Documentation: Requires clear, relevant information in owner’s manuals to ensure end-user safety and correct system operation.
  • Dynamic Positioning Systems: Includes requirements for systems that automatically maintain a vessel’s position.

Applications

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 is integral to the following areas within the marine sector:

  • Small Craft Manufacturing: Ensures newly built small craft (up to 24m) have compliant electrical steering, shift, and throttle systems, boosting safety and market acceptance.
  • Marine Equipment Integration: Guides equipment suppliers and integrators in developing and fitting electronic control equipment that meets up-to-date European standards.
  • Safety Compliance: Facilitates conformity assessment for notified bodies and helps manufacturers meet mandatory requirements under EU law.
  • Product Development: Assists marine electronics designers and systems engineers in adopting best practices for system design, functional safety, EMC, and environmental resistance.
  • Owner and Operator Guidance: Mandates documentation to instruct operators on proper use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of onboard electronic control systems.

Related Standards

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 references or is closely aligned with several other important European and international standards, including:

  • EN ISO 8846: Protection against ignition of flammable gases for electrical devices
  • EN ISO 8848: Remote steering systems for small craft
  • EN ISO 13297: Electrical systems for extra-low voltage and alternating current installations on small craft
  • EN ISO 10592: Hydraulic steering systems
  • IEC 60945: Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment testing requirements
  • IEC 61000 series: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing standards
  • ISO 4892: Methods for testing plastics under laboratory light sources

By adhering to EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026, marine industry stakeholders demonstrate a commitment to safety, quality, and compliance in the development and use of electrical and electronic control systems for small craft. This ensures safer boating experiences, improved system reliability, and alignment with critical international and regional regulations.

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EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 is a amendment published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Small craft - Electrical/electronic control systems for steering, shift and throttle". This standard covers: This document establishes the requirements for the design, construction and testing of electrical/electronic steering, shift and throttle systems and dynamic positioning control systems, or combinations thereof, on small craft of up to 24 m length of hull. This document does not apply to electric trolling motors and autopilot systems on sailing craft.

This document establishes the requirements for the design, construction and testing of electrical/electronic steering, shift and throttle systems and dynamic positioning control systems, or combinations thereof, on small craft of up to 24 m length of hull. This document does not apply to electric trolling motors and autopilot systems on sailing craft.

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 47.080 - Small craft. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN ISO 25197:2020. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2013/53/EU; Standardization Mandates: M/542. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2026
Mala plovila - Električni/elektronski regulacijski sistem za krmarjenje, prestavljanje
in pogon - Dopolnilo A12
Small craft - Electrical/electronic control systems for steering, shift and throttle
Kleine Wasserfahrzeuge - Elektrische/elektronische Regelungssysteme für Steuerung,
Schaltung und Antrieb
Petits navires - Systèmes électriques/électroniques pour le contrôle de la direction, de
l'inverseur et des gaz
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026
ICS:
47.020.60 Električna oprema ladij in Electrical equipment of ships
konstrukcij na morju and of marine structures
47.080 Čolni Small craft
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN ISO 25197:2020/A12
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
March 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 47.080
English Version
Small craft - Electrical/electronic control systems for
steering, shift and throttle
Petits navires - Systèmes électriques/électroniques Kleine Wasserfahrzeuge - Elektrische/elektronische
pour le contrôle de la direction, de l'inverseur et des Regelungssysteme für Steuerung, Schaltung und
gaz Antrieb
This amendment A12 modifies the European Standard EN ISO 25197:2020; it was approved by CEN on 14 January 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This amendment exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the
essential requirements of Directive 2013/53/EU aimed to be covered . 4

European foreword
This document (EN ISO 25197:2020/A12:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee
CEN/TC 464 “Small Craft” the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This Amendment to the European Standard EN ISO 25197:2020 shall be given the status of a
national standard, either by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
September 2026, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by
September 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the
subject of patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the
European Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these
requests for its Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of
this document.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national
standards body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN
website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

Annex ZA
(informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Directive 2013/53/EU aimed to be covered
This European Standard has been prepared under a Commission’s standardization request
M/542/C(2015) 8736 final to provide one voluntary means of conforming to essential
requirements of Directive 2013/53/EU.
Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union under that Directive,
compliance with the normative clauses of this standard given in Table ZA.1 confers, within the
limits of the scope of this standard, a presumption of conformity with the corresponding
essential requirements of that Directive, and associated EFTA regulations.
Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Annex I and II of
Directive 2013/53/EU
Essential Requirements of Clause(s)/sub- Remarks/Notes
Directive 2013/53/EU clause(s) of this EN
Annex I, sub clause 2.5 4.7,4.11,12 These clauses specify the
information to be
Owner’s manual
included in the owner’s manual.
Annex I, 5.4 Steering system 10.2 In respect of transmission of
steering loads in
5.4.1 General
all foreseeable conditions.
Annex I, 5.4 Steering system 9.1.4 In respect of single engine non-
sailing craft
5.4.2 Emergency arr
...

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