
Leading marine trade associations have joined forces to develop a global recreational marine lifecycle assessment framework. The International Council of Marine Industry Associations, European Boating Industry and the National Marine Manufacturers Association have formed the first global collaboration to assess, measure and report the industry’s environmental performance of recreational boats.
To demonstrate environmental stewardship and harmonize global sustainability initiatives, the recreational boating industry hopes to achieve a comprehensive framework that provides a methodology to quantify the environmental performance of a recreational boat through every phase of its life. This includes raw materials, production, use phase, disposal and recycling. The announcement was made at the boot Düsseldorf 2025 show in Germany. The industry planned to showcase new technologies and sustainability innovations.
ICOMIA, EBI and NMMA realize that the industry needs forward-thinking sustainability strategies that balance business growth with responsible practices. Developing a global approach to assess the full lifecycle of products is a major step in helping manufacturers make smart decisions to strengthen operations, supply chains and product design while meeting customer expectations. The LCA work builds on the Propelling our Future initiative, a global industry effort to equip the industry with knowledge on the multiple technologies needed to move the industry toward decarbonization.
“Since 1966, ICOMIA has helped the global recreational marine industry create a better boating experience that reduces our environment footprint,” ICOMIA president Darren Vaux said in a statement. “Developing a standardized LCA, a continuation of the industry’s Propelling Our Future Initiative, is an important step in advancing this work, ensuring there is consistent path for measurement and self-regulation across our industry.”
Robert Marx, president of EBI and NMMA president/CEO Frank Hugelmeyer, echoed Vaux’s thoughts. “As the leading global recreational boating market, we recognize the significance of partnering with the global market to establish a unified global LCA methodology as our members’ products are increasingly sought around the world, making that consistency more important than ever,” said Hugelmeyer. “Through the shared commitment of our respective member companies and the boaters who enjoy taking to the water, we look forward to introducing the new LCA as a resource to empower the industry to consistently measure, communicate and self-regulate their environmental performance, and continue the momentum and global harmonization that’s the foundation of our Propelling Our Future initiative.”
The three organizations will complete an extensive review of LCA methodologies to indentify the most relevant approach for the global market. EBI has the Blue Boat Horizon project and ICOMIA launched the Marine Engine Committee. ICOMIA, EBI and NMMA will convene a global task force with involvement from associations and companies around the world. Technical committees will focus on technical input and guidance; industry education and training; and public policy/affairs and communications.