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 UIAA has been made aware of recent recalls from one its Safety Label holders, Simond. The recalls are currently published in German only. Recalls:Schraubkarabiner RockyToucan Light The principal Simond recall page can be found here....
With a new innovative concept, Europe’s largest outdoor trade fair, OutDoor by ISPO, took place in Munich for the first time from 30 June to 3 July, 2019. As a global organisation operating in the outdoor environment, the UIAA is a regular presen...
In recent months the UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – has been inundated with queries from climbers regarding the validity of equipment they have purchased. It has been drawn to the UIAA’s attention that an increasi...
It was with concern that the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA), the Confederation of African Mountain Clubs (CAMC) and the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA), came to hear of the proposal to build a cableway up Kilimanjaro...
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)
Alan JARVIS, South Africa (MCSA)
Alexis MALLON, France (FFCAM)
Ali SAHIN, Turkey (TDF)
Alexandre VELHINHO, Portugal (FPME)
Peter MUIR
Marc BEVERLY, USA
Christoph HUMMEL, Germany (DAV)
Da Chai WANG, Chinese Taipei (CTMA)
Nicholas GALPIN, UK (BMC)
Augustin MOINAT, UK (ISA)
Hitoshi ONODERA, Japan (JMSCA)
Augustin UNSAIN, Argentina (FASA)
Thomas WEDLICK, USA (AAC)