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
It has been reported that three canyon harnesses of unrelated marks and models, broke between July 2017 and December 2018 in La Réunion, le Verdon, and Angon, (France). Fortunately, these breakages did not result in any serious injuries. A laborator...
Recent dialogue and meetings dating back to the UIAA General Assembly in Cyprus and involving the GA, the UIAA Management Committee and the UIAA Executive Board, have focused on collectively realigning the UIAA’s role, objectives and vision. Taking...
The UIAA Safety Label team has been informed about two recent product recalls. They concern: DMM Climbing: DMM Nexus swivel body recall for inspection (main photo) La Sportiva: Mulaz, Skyline helmet models The complete list of recalls recorded by the...
The UIAA is sharing a guide produced by one of its member associations, the British Mountaineering Council. The BMC’s bolt advice come in two parts. Part one is aimed at the user, in particular those who have learnt to climb indoors and are ma...
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)
Kevin BROWN, Canada (ACC)
Per FORSBERG, Sweden (SCF)
Nicholas GALPIN, United Kingdom (BMC)
Alan JARVIS, South Africa (MCSA)
Alexis MALLON, France (FFCAM)
Ali SAHIN, Turkey (TDF)
Alexandre VELHINHO, Portugal (FPME)
Marc BEVERLY, USA
Christoph HUMMEL, Germany (DAV)
Da Chai WANG, Chinese Taipei (CTMA)
Augustin MOINAT, UK (ISA)
Hitoshi ONODERA, Japan (JMSCA)
Augustin UNSAIN, Argentina (FASA)
Da Chi WANG, Taiwan (CTMA)
Thomas WEDLICK, USA (AAC)