On 2 February 2012 Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) was officially recognized by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union as a classification society fully meeting the criteria for the relevant work under Directive 2006/87/EC.

The Directive establishes the technical requirements to inland waterway vessels for operation on all European inland waterways, including the Rhine. RS started preparation for this activity in advance by performing the necessary measures to improve its Rules for the Classification and Construction of Inland Navigation Ships (for European Inland Waterways) and qualification of surveyors involved in surveys of vessels intended for the carriage of passengers and cargo, including dangerous goods, along European inland waterways.

Thus, now RS is officially recognized by European Community as a classification society for both marine and inland waterway vessels.