International Marine Certification Institute celebrates 20th anniversary
On the 24th June 1993, the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI) has been registered as a non-profit organisation in Belgium. Now, 20 years later, IMCI is the market leader of certification under the Recreational Craft Directive.
Ulrich Heinemann, Managing Director of IMCI, says: "Who would have thought that in 1993? I am delighted to this anniversary event. A big thank-you to all our customers who have kept us their loyalty on our way. We are looking forward to cooperate with them also in the future. IMCI's success is based on a very dedicated Board of Directors, professional Inspectors, and a highly efficient management team. Since my first day at IMCI it’s a great pleasure for me to be part of this Institute and to work together with these dedicated people.”
Together with all the IMCI worldwide staff –all Inspectors, office staff and Board of Directors– IMCI will celebrate this event following the annual Inspectors and Board of Directors meeting in autumn on the island of Malta.
Recreational boat certification was a special concern in the mid-1990s because the European Association of Classification Societies (EurACS) naturally wanted to impose its certification procedures and price levels on the boating industry. Of secondary concern, especially to the USA and other countries outside the EU, was the requirement that certification can only be conducted by European certifiers. This led to the perception and wide criticism of a "Fortress Europe."
Lars Erik Granholm, born in Finland in 1934 and immigrated to the USA in 1961, proposed that the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) together with the European manufacturer organisations help form a globally working organisation to certify recreational boats for the EU. This organisation was named the "International Marine Certification Institute" (IMCI) and is based in Brussels, Belgium.
The first IMCI Board meeting was held in a hotel at the Brussels airport on November 11, 1992. Many of those original members and its representatives are still on the IMCI Board and continue to provide valuable assistance.
For more information please visit: www.imci.org.
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