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.

Safety Commission

The UIAA Safety Commission, formed of experts from different UIAA member federations, is responsible for developing the UIAA safety standards and consequently working to help minimise accidents in mountaineering and climbing.

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.

NEXT UIAA SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING:
LOCATION AND DATE TO BE CONFIRMED, 2019