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
Ahead of next month’s online UIAA General Assembly (GA), the UIAA Management Committee (MC) and Commission Presidents held a virtual session on Saturday 26 September with a focus both on preparing for the GA and the federation’s strategic plans f...
The UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – regularly receives questions related to safety topics. The UIAA Safety Commission, with support of other UIAA Commissions and experts, recently commenced a series of articles answe...
By day, Lionel Kiener is a micro-mechanical engineer for Neuchâtel-based research company CSEM. In his spare time he is a keen climber and one of the many volunteers who gives up their precious time to support the UIAA. Kiener has been volunteering ...
Following an internal Commission session in May, the UIAA Safety Commission (SafeCom) held its traditional two-day annual meeting on 8-9 June. The online (plenary) sessions welcomed nearly 50 participants including many industry leaders – represent...
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, India (IMF), President
Lionel KIENER, Switzerland (SAC), Vice President
Per FORSBERG, Sweden (SCF)
Nicholas GALPIN, United Kingdom (BMC)
Stephen GLADIEUX, United States (AAC)
Alan JARVIS, South Africa (MCSA)
Alexis MALLON, France (FFCAM)
Ali SAHIN, Turkey (TDF)
Alexandre VELHINHO, Portugal (FPME)
Vittorio BEDOGNI, Italy
Marc BEVERLY, United States
Frederico CAMPOS MARTINS DOS SANTOS, Brazil
Dave CUSTER, United States (AAC)
Christoph HUMMEL, Germany (DAV)
Da Chai WANG, Chinese Taipei (CTMA)
Agustin MOINAT, UK (ISA)
Hitoshi ONODERA, Japan (JMSCA)
Augustin UNSAIN, Argentina (FASA)
Thomas WEDLICK, USA (AAC)