EN ISO 21416:2019
(Main)Recreational diving services - Requirements and guidance on environmentally sustainable practices in recreational diving (ISO 21416:2019)
General Information
- Abstract
This document specifies requirements for service providers with regard to responsible practices for the provision of their services.
This document applies, but is not limited, to recreational-diving-related activities, for example:
— scuba diving;
— snorkelling;
— free diving (breath hold diving).
Further, this document provides guidance to all stakeholders involved in recreational-diving-related activities on best practice to minimize negative impact on the aquatic environment and to optimize positive outcomes.
NOTE In this document the term "aquatic" refers to all bodies of water.
This document helps stakeholders to identify and compare service providers who follow environmental best practice.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 01-Oct-2019
- Withdrawal Date
- 29-Apr-2020
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 329 - Tourism services
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 329/WG 3 - Recreational Diving Services
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 02-Oct-2019
- Completion Date
- 02-Oct-2019
Overview
EN ISO 21416:2019 (ISO 21416:2019) - Recreational diving services - specifies requirements and provides guidance on environmentally sustainable practices in recreational diving. Published by ISO and adopted by CEN as EN ISO 21416:2019, the standard covers responsible conduct for service providers and offers best-practice guidance to minimize negative impacts on the aquatic environment. It applies to activities including scuba diving, snorkelling and free (breath‑hold) diving and helps stakeholders identify and compare providers who follow environmental best practice.
Key Topics and Requirements
The standard combines prescriptive requirements with practical guidance across core operational areas:
- Conduct of diving activities
- Mandatory environmental briefings and local pre‑dive advice
- Gear streamlining and pre‑dive safety checks
- Site selection matched to diver competency; avoid sensitive sites for training
- Encouragement of good buoyancy control and use of descent/ascent lines
- Operation of dive boats
- Avoid anchoring on sensitive seabeds; prefer mooring buoys
- Minimise propeller and engine impact; maintain engines to reduce pollution
- Proper bilge, sewage and waste management; provide waste receptacles
- Prohibit harassment of marine life (e.g., chasing cetaceans)
- Interaction with aquatic life
- Discourage removal or collection of organisms; explain ecological impacts
- Prohibit or discourage feeding - outlines negative behavioural and ecological effects
- Exception only for regulated scientific removal (e.g., invasive species) where legally authorised
- Conservation and pollution control
- Consider site carrying capacity to avoid over‑use
- Responsible selection of anti‑fouling paints and disposal of oils/chemicals
- Shore-based facilities, underwater heritage and protected areas
- Guidance on facility operation, heritage-site conservation and working within marine protected areas
- Supporting materials
- Informative Annex A with further guidance and a bibliography
Practical Applications - Who Uses It
EN ISO 21416:2019 is intended for:
- Dive centres, schools, clubs and instructors
- Dive-boat operators and marina/shore facility managers
- Diver training organisations and tour operators
- Government agencies, marine park managers and environmental NGOs Use cases include drafting environmental policies, standardising pre‑dive briefings, designing waste and sewage procedures, selecting mooring solutions, and auditing service providers for sustainable practice.
Related Standards
- ISO 24803 and ISO 13289 are referenced as complementary standards for dive service operations and provider requirements.
- Developed by ISO/TC 228 (Tourism and related services) and endorsed by CEN as EN ISO 21416:2019.
Keywords: EN ISO 21416:2019, ISO 21416:2019, recreational diving services, sustainable diving, dive operators, marine conservation, scuba diving, snorkelling, free diving.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 12-Feb-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN ISO 21416:2019 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Recreational diving services - Requirements and guidance on environmentally sustainable practices in recreational diving (ISO 21416:2019)". This standard covers: This document specifies requirements for service providers with regard to responsible practices for the provision of their services. This document applies, but is not limited, to recreational-diving-related activities, for example: — scuba diving; — snorkelling; — free diving (breath hold diving). Further, this document provides guidance to all stakeholders involved in recreational-diving-related activities on best practice to minimize negative impact on the aquatic environment and to optimize positive outcomes. NOTE In this document the term "aquatic" refers to all bodies of water. This document helps stakeholders to identify and compare service providers who follow environmental best practice.
This document specifies requirements for service providers with regard to responsible practices for the provision of their services. This document applies, but is not limited, to recreational-diving-related activities, for example: — scuba diving; — snorkelling; — free diving (breath hold diving). Further, this document provides guidance to all stakeholders involved in recreational-diving-related activities on best practice to minimize negative impact on the aquatic environment and to optimize positive outcomes. NOTE In this document the term "aquatic" refers to all bodies of water. This document helps stakeholders to identify and compare service providers who follow environmental best practice.
EN ISO 21416:2019 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 03.080.30 - Services for consumers; 03.200.99 - Other standards relating to leisure and tourism; 13.020.20 - Environmental economics. Sustainability. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN ISO 21416:2019 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 21416:2019. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
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