The UIAA began creating safety standards in 1960 with the testing of ropes. It has since developed standards for over twenty types of safety equipment, including helmets, harnesses and crampons.
The UIAA collaborates with CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, for the harmonization of standards. In some cases, the UIAA asks for additional tests making the standard stricter than the CEN. Thus, the UIAA standards may differ slightly from CEN standards.
UIAA Safety Standards are regularly revised and updated by the UIAA Safety Commission to ensure they meet ever-changing nature and demands of the market and climbing and mountaineering world. The Commission constantly reviews mountaineering and climbing accidents to determine if the standards are at a high enough level. Standards are not only revised, brand new standards are frequently introduced.
Download all UIAA Safety Standards (.zip) – Coming Soon
The latest article in the UIAA Summer Skills series focuses on spacing between climbers. Characteristics of the terrain, the conditions for progression and the experience of the members of the party will determine how they rope up. Wide spacing Advan...
EAWS (European Avalanche Warning Services) have introduced a standard for typical avalanche problems and changed the names of avalanche sizes and the wording of the European avalanche danger scale. Full details can be found here. Please also find a...
With eight of the fourteen world’s highest mountain peaks located within its borders, Nepal is well known as one of the greatest destinations for climbing and mountaineering. From Everest to Kanchenjunga, its mountains have created legends and ...
In 2013, the UIAA Safety Commission (SafeCom) undertook the development of worldwide minimum standards for avalanche probes and shovels. Previously, formal requirements for avalanche shovels and probes only existed for participation in International ...
To ensure the highest standards for safety equipment are in place, the Commission constantly reviews mountaineering and climbing accidents to determine if the standards are at a high enough level. The Commission also accredits the laboratories which test the equipment and shares regular advice to climbers and mountaineers advice how to treat their equipment, and how best to use it to avoid accidents.
Safety label holders are also represented within the Commission as trade members.
Amit CHOWDHURY, (President), India (IMF)
Lionel KIENER, (Vice President) Switzerland (SAC)
Vittorio BEDOGNI, Italy (CAI)
Jean-Franck CHARLET, France (FFCAM)
Dave CUSTER, USA (AAC)
Rob FOSTER, UK (BMC)
Florian HELLBERG, Germany (DAV)
Alan JARVIS, South Africa (MCSA)
Aljaz ANDERLE, Slovenia (PZS)
Donald BOGIE, New Zealand (NZAC)
Jan HOLEC, Czech Republic (CMF)
Dimitrios KARALIS, Greece (EOOA)
Hitoshi ONODERA, Japan (JMA)
Hans RAUSCHMAYER, Brazil (CBME)
Agustin UNSAIN, Argentina (FASA)
Andrei VASILIEV, Russia (RMF)
Thomas WEDLICK, USA (AAC)
Carlo ZANATONI, Italy (CAI)
Frits VRIJLANDT