Overview
EN ISO 10240:2024 - Small craft - Owner's manual (ISO 10240:2022) is the CEN-endorsed European adoption of the ISO guidance for owner’s manuals for small craft. Published April 2024 and identical to ISO 10240:2022, this standard defines the required content, format and presentation of the owner/operator information needed to use small craft safely. It also provides a voluntary means to demonstrate conformity with parts of Directive 2013/53/EU (see Annex ZA).
Keywords: EN ISO 10240:2024, Small craft owner’s manual, ISO 10240, small craft safety, owner manual requirements.
Key Topics and Requirements
The standard specifies structured content and technical topics that must be included in an owner’s manual for small craft. Major areas covered are:
- General requirements and format
- Information required, illustration quality, units and definitions, language and layout considerations.
- Craft data and identification
- Essential craft information and operator guidance.
- Limits and loading
- Maximum number of persons, loading and weight distribution guidance to reduce risk.
- Engine and propulsion information
- Engine data, safe operation, starting procedures and emergency steering.
- Flooding, stability and buoyancy
- Risks of flooding, openings in the hull, bilge pumps, stability, capsize recovery and grounding guidance.
- Fire, explosion and fuel systems
- Fire prevention, fire-fighting equipment, gas and other fuel systems risks.
- Electrical systems
- Protection against fire, explosion and electric shock.
- Operational safety and seamanship
- Man-overboard prevention and recovery, ventilation, securing loose equipment, anchoring, towing and trailering (if relevant).
- Sailing-specific items
- Spars, rigging and sailboat-specific safety notes.
(Section numbering and headings follow the ISO 10240 table of contents.)
Practical Applications and Users
EN ISO 10240:2024 is intended for anyone responsible for preparing, supplying or using owner’s manuals for small craft:
- Boat manufacturers and OEMs - to create compliant owner’s manuals and meet regulatory expectations.
- Technical writers and documentation teams - for structuring content, illustrations and safety information.
- Dealers and importers - to verify supplied manuals contain required safety and operational guidance.
- Authorities, certification bodies and inspectors - to evaluate owner documentation against Directive 2013/53/EU requirements.
- Owners and operators - as an authoritative checklist of safety topics an owner’s manual should address.
Using this standard helps improve safety, reduce liability and support regulatory compliance for small craft documentation.
Related Standards
EN ISO 10240:2024 references and aligns with many small craft standards in Annex ZA, including (but not limited to):
These linked standards should be consulted when preparing owner’s manuals to ensure complete and harmonized compliance.
