The science behind every secure marine opening
When you are out on the water, whether navigating calm canals or facing rougher seas, your boat’s safety depends on more than just the hull or the engine. Components like windows, hatches, and portlights play a critical role in keeping vessel’s secure and watertight in all conditions.
To ensure these parts perform reliably, the marine industry relies on strict safety requirements, with one of the most important being the ISO 12216 standard.
What is ISO 12216?
ISO 12216 is the international standard that defines the design, strength, and installation requirements for openings on small craft up to 24 meters in length. This includes windows, portlights, doors, hatches, and skylights. The goal is to ensure that these components remain watertight, structurally sound, and safe under a wide range of marine conditions.
Complying with ISO 12216 is used for CE certification in Europe and is widely followed by responsible boatbuilders and manufacturers around the world. For builders, suppliers, and owners alike, this standard provides confidence that a vessel’s openings meet proven safety benchmarks.
What Does the Standard Cover?
ISO 12216 offers a detailed framework for assessing and testing a boat’s openings. It categorises areas of the hull and deck based on their exposure to water pressure and environmental stress. For example:
Each area has its own requirements depending on:
The standard also considers impact resistance and long-term durability under repeated use and environmental stress.
Why this matters
For shipbuilders, compliance with ISO 12216 is essential for the CE marking process, accessing global markets and meeting customer expectations. It also reduces risk and liability by ensuring components meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
For boat owners, it is a matter of peace of mind. A compliant window, hatch, or portlight can make all the difference when facing rough conditions at sea. It protects the vessel from flooding and helps maintain the boat’s value over time.
Choosing compliant equipment is a smart investment in long-term safety and performance.
VETUS and ISO 12216, certified confidence for every vessel
At VETUS, safety and compliance are part of our design philosophy. In line with this, VETUS is a member of the NEN standards committee on yacht building and participates in various ISO working groups. This allows us to have influence on the content of new or amended standards.
By affixing the mandatory CE marking to our hatches and portlights, we declare that they meet the requirements of the applicable European directive, the Recreational Craft Directive. In addition to the products that require mandatory CE marking, all VETUS windows and doors have been tested according to ISO 12216 as well as.
The exact criteria depend on the design category of the boat (A, B, C, or D) and the area where the product is installed. With our wide product range, there is always a VETUS solution that is tested and certified to suit your needs.
Explore with confidence
“At VETUS, we believe true confidence on the water starts with uncompromising safety. That’s why every window, hatch, and portlight we produce is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of ISO 12216. This standard isn’t just a technical requirement — it’s a critical benchmark that ensures marine openings perform reliably in real-world conditions. Whether it’s for a new build, a refit, or anything in between, ISO 12216-compliant components help protect vessels and people alike, delivering trusted performance where it counts the most.”
-Arjen Boonstra, Project Manager – Regulatory Compliance and Product Documentation
Explore VETUS’s range of ISO 12216-compliant windows, hatches, and portlights here.
Need support with compliance?
Our technical specialists are ready to assist you with expert advice and tailored support. Visit our Service and Support page to get the answers and assistance you need.
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