The issue has been given new impetus by the founding of the "Antifouling" initiative by Milieucentraal, an environmental protection association, Varen doe je samen, an organisation that aims to improve the coexistence of leisure and commercial shipping, and Hiswa, the Dutch water sports industry association.
The aim is to reduce the use of harmful biocide-containing antifoulings. Alternatives, such as foiling the underwater hull or so-called non-stick antifoulings, are presented; at the same time, however, it is mentioned that only a few antifoulings are authorised for private use in the Netherlands.
Anyone who applies underwater paint containing biocides that is not approved, i.e. does not have the five-digit approval number on the can, risks having to remove the paint and also pay a fine of 2500 euros. According to the organisation, checks are carried out regularly. The crux of the matter is that issuing this approval number costs money, which the paint manufacturers try to avoid. As a result, the list is short. In addition, no biocide-containing antifouling authorised in the Netherlands can be purchased in Germany. This does not make sense either, as it is not easy for private individuals to legally transport paint containing biocides from one EU country to another. Paints without biocides, such as LeFant or Silic One, can still be used as usual.
Consequently, a German owner with a ship in Dutch winter storage must also buy his antifoulig authorised there locally. He can then legally apply it over a paved, covered floor. The manufacturers will be happy to help you choose the right colour. The list of authorised products:
Further information can be found on the Dutch-language website of Varen doe je samen
