22 January 2026

British Marine has become a full member of the European Boating Industry (EBI), marking an important step in strengthening its ability to represent UK members’ interests at European Commission level and reinforce advocacy on EU regulatory and market issues.

Already an active board member of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the global trade association representing the recreational marine industry worldwide, British Marine plays a key role in shaping international policy, technical standards and global industry coordination, working closely with counterpart organisations across Europe and beyond. Membership of the European Boating Industry (EBI) now complements this role by providing a more direct and structured route into EU-level engagement, enabling clearer and more effective communication with the European Commission and other EU institutions on legislation and regulation affecting the European boating market.

This is particularly important for British Marine members, many of whom import from, export to, or operate within European markets. The UK is the largest importer of recreational boats into the EU and the second most important export destination for EU-built boats, making continued regulatory alignment, market access and early visibility of legislative change critical to UK businesses.

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, commented: “EBI membership enables British Marine to engage more directly in EU-level advocacy on regulatory and market issues that are critical to our members, particularly those with significant European export activity. Through EBI’s work in Brussels, we can ensure member perspectives and UK industry expertise contribute to the development of forthcoming legislation, including, for example, the review of the Recreational Craft Directive.”

What is EBI?

European Boating Industry (EBI) is the representative body for the recreational boating and nautical tourism industry at EU level. It brings together national marine trade associations from across Europe and works directly with European institutions to influence legislation, policy and regulatory frameworks affecting the sector.

EBI represents a diverse industry covering boatbuilding, engines and equipment, marinas, refit and maintenance, charter and rental, water sports, dealers and importers. Across Europe, the recreational boating industry includes millions of boaters, thousands of marinas and tens of thousands of predominantly SME businesses, making it a significant contributor to tourism, employment and coastal economies.

EBI now represents 34 members across 24 European countries, reflecting the breadth and importance of the sector across the continent. The addition of British Marine further reinforces EBI’s role as the collective voice of the European boating industry, particularly at a time of increasing regulatory change and sustainability-driven policy development.

Why this matters for British Marine members

By combining its long-standing role within ICOMIA with full membership of EBI, British Marine is strengthening its advocacy capability at both global and European levels. This ensures UK members benefit from:

• Stronger representation on EU regulatory and policy matters
• Earlier insight into forthcoming European legislation affecting trade and compliance
•  A clearer UK voice in discussions with the European Commission
• Better protection of member interests in key European markets

British Marine’s EBI membership ensures that UK industry perspectives remain fully engaged in European decision-making, supporting member businesses that trade with Europe and helping safeguard competitiveness and growth in a complex and evolving regulatory environment.