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Equipment using an operating system: UK21/N008

Adopted EU recommendation NAV-024. UK approved recommendation on operating systems of computer-based systems or components.

Question

Navigational equipment using operating systems (for example Linux or Windows 7,8 or 10) may apply different update procedures for the maintenance of the operating system software. A harmonized record of the software on the module B certificate seems to be necessary.

Is it necessary to record the baseline edition of the operating system software of computer based navigational equipment (for example Radar, ECDIS…) on the module B certificate?

Recommendation

Following recent Cyber security concerns and industry discussions, UK Approved Bodies should be advised that where a manufacturer requests that the operating system and software versions are omitted from the Module B certificate, this is acceptable to the MCA.

UK Approved Bodies are required to retain details of operating system and software versions in their records, but this should not be recorded on the certificate that is publicly available.

References

  • MSN 1874 as amended
  • The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended

Items affected

  • UK/4.X, Navigation equipment

More information

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000

Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

Updates to this page

Published 18 July 2023
Last updated 28 May 2026 show all updates
  1. The UK approved recommendation on operating systems of computer-based systems/components has been updated for UK21/N008.

  2. First published.