14 October 2025

Peter Wallbank, Group Technical Director at August Race Group, shares valuable insight into the growing importance of responsible product use in the leisure marine sector and the upcoming regulatory changes set to impact boat owners and marine businesses worldwide.

We all share a responsibility for the health of our oceans. Whether we work within the marine industry or simply enjoy time on the water we are part of a global community that depends on clean healthy seas. Most of us genuinely want to do the right thing to protect the very environment we love, but we can only do that when the right information is available.

Unfortunately, this is also where greenwashing has caused confusion. As sustainability has become a major focus across all industries, more and more products are marketed as ‘eco’, ‘green’ or ‘marine safe’. The problem is that many of these claims are not supported by scientific evidence, leaving even the most conscientious boaters unsure of what to trust. In response to this growing issue the European Union is introducing the Green Claims Directive, expected to come into force in early 2026. This new legislation will require all environmental claims to be supported by verifiable data and independent proof and it’s anticipated that most other countries will soon follow suit.

Amid this growing focus on accountability, there remains one major piece of international legislation that many in the leisure marine sector still don’t fully understand: MARPOL the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Created by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) MARPOL sets global rules designed to prevent pollution from vessels of all sizes.

Of particular importance to the leisure marine community is Annex V which governs the disposal of garbage, waste, and cleaning residues. In simple terms, it applies to every vessel from commercial ships to privately owned yachts and motorboats. When we clean our boats in the water the runoff from products used on decks, in galleys or in heads doesn’t just disappear it flows directly into the sea. Even trace amounts of certain chemicals can affect marine microorganisms, coral systems and seagrass meadows, gradually damaging the ecosystems we all rely upon.

To make this legislation more accessible and practical for boat owners August Race have developed a free online compliance platform that helps users easily understand which parts of MARPOL apply to their particular vessel and operational activities. It offers clear, straightforward guidance empowering boaters to make informed, responsible choices. https://august-race.com/pages/oceans-assured-compliance-platform

Alongside this, we’ve created a comprehensive range of MARPOL compliant cleaning and maintenance products that support vessels in meeting their obligations, from exterior cleaning and valeting to everyday operational areas such as galleys, heads and machinery spaces. The goal isn’t simply to sell products it is to raise awareness while enabling responsible, compliant boating to be more achievable for everyone.

By working together through sharing knowledge, raising awareness and embracing transparency we can all play a part in protecting the oceans that sustain both our livelihoods and our leisure.