Overview
ISO 14945:2021 - "Small craft - Builder's plate" specifies uniform requirements for the information displayed on a small craft’s builder’s plate (label or plate). It applies to recreational boats and similar watercraft up to 24 m hull length (LH) and excludes personal watercraft. The standard ensures clear, durable, and consistent presentation of essential user and safety data such as manufacturer identification, design category, maximum load and persons capacity.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability
- Covers small craft up to 24 m LH; personal watercraft excluded.
- Builder’s plate format and durability
- Plate may be a rigid plate, flexible label permanently affixed, or information may be marked directly on the craft.
- Marking methods: carved, stamped, burned, embossed, moulded, etched, printed, permanently adhesive, etc.
- Colours must be UV and fade resistant; characters must contrast with the background so alterations are obvious.
- Legibility and sizing
- Required characters: minimum 5 mm height; other characters minimum 3 mm.
- Pictograms and symbols: minimum 8 mm height.
- Location and mounting
- Plate must be readily visible (preferably in the cockpit or near main steering position).
- Must be mounted separately from the watercraft identification number.
- Mandatory displayed information
- Manufacturer name and contact address.
- CE marking, if applicable.
- Craft design category(s) per ISO 12217.
- Maximum load (MBP) with person symbol and suitcase symbol - mass in kg (see ISO 14946).
- Maximum recommended number of persons with person symbol - based on ISO 14946.
- Optional additional information
- Maximum propulsion power rating in kW (propeller symbol; ISO 7000-3646 registered).
- Maximum outboard engine mass in kg (for outboard-powered craft).
- If multiple design categories are shown, maximum load and persons must be clearly linked to each category.
- Guidance and examples
- Annex A provides illustrative builder’s plate designs and key item layouts.
Applications and users
ISO 14945:2021 is primarily used by:
- Boat manufacturers and OEMs for compliant builder’s plates
- Marine designers and product engineers
- Certification and conformity assessment bodies
- Importers, dealers and surveyors verifying craft documentation
- Regulatory authorities and inspection services
Practical benefits include consistent user information, improved safety awareness (load and person limits), clearer compliance for CE-marked vessels, and simplified inspection and resale processes.
Related standards
- ISO 12217 (stability and buoyancy / design categories)
- ISO 14946 (maximum load capacity)
- ISO 8666 (principal data; length of hull measurement)
- ISO 7000 (graphical symbols for equipment; propeller symbol ISO 7000-3646)
Keywords: ISO 14945:2021, builder's plate, small craft, boat builder, maximum load, persons capacity, CE marking, outboard engine, propeller symbol.
