life jackets water sports

1. The PPE Directive, legal regulation in the EU for personal protective equipment

The European PPE Directive (Personal Protective Equipment Directive) 89/686/EC sets out clear requirements for the manufacture and placing on the market of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The Personal Protective Equipment Directive has been in force since July 1, 1992. It was transposed into national law by the 8th Ordinance to the GPSG and granted a transitional period until June 30, 1995. Since July 1, 1995, PPE may only be placed on the EU market if it complies with the provisions of this directive.

Lifejackets for recreational boating are subject to Annex II, Section 3.4 of this regulation. They undergo a type test by a so-called Notified Body of the various EU member states according to ISO 12402, which covers not only their function but also the testing of all essential individual components such as films, fabrics, straps, and fittings. Upon successful completion of the tests, they are awarded the CE mark.

Therefore, pay attention to the CE mark on life jackets, as only these products offer appropriate safety.

2. ISO Standard 12402, standard for life jackets

The DIN EN ISO 12402 standard consists of ten parts, with the main title "Personal buoyancy aids." This includes life jackets and buoyancy aids. 

  • DIN EN ISO 12402-2: This standard specifies the safety requirements for lifejackets with a buoyancy of 275 N. This level is primarily intended for use in offshore areas under extreme conditions and for persons carrying additional weight and requiring additional buoyancy. It is also intended for users wearing clothing in which air can accumulate and impair the lifejacket's ability to self-right itself. Lifejackets with a buoyancy of 275 N are designed to ensure that the wearer floats safely with their mouth and nose above the water surface.

  • DIN EN ISO 12402-3:
    The standard specifies the safety requirements for lifejackets with a buoyancy of 150 N, used by adults of average height and weight for general use. A lifejacket of this level rotates an unconscious person into a safe floating position, and no further action is required by the user to maintain this floating position.

  • DIN EN ISO 12402-4:
    The standard specifies safety requirements for lifejackets with a buoyancy of 100 N, used by adults of average height and weight in sheltered waters and by swimmers in open waters. Lifejackets of this level are intended for persons who must wait for rescue in sheltered waters. Lifejackets of this level should not be used in severe conditions.

  • DIN EN ISO 12402-5:
    The standard specifies the safety requirements for buoyancy aids with a buoyancy of at least 50 N. These buoyancy aids are intended only for use by competent swimmers near the shore or coast, or where assistance and rescue can be quickly ensured. These buoyancy aids are comfortable to wear, but not suitable for rough waters. They cannot be assumed to provide safe support for the user for extended periods. The buoyancy aids do not have sufficient buoyancy to protect people who cannot help themselves and require active participation from the user.

  • DIN EN ISO 12402-7:
    Materials and components - Safety requirements and test methods

  • DIN EN ISO 12402-9:
    The standard specifies the test procedures for personal buoyancy aids. In addition to details on sampling and conditioning, as well as criteria for passing or failing a test, the standard includes numerous procedures for testing mechanical properties and performance tests with human subjects. Three annexes describe reference vests for adults, children, and infants for assessing the suitability of human subjects.

3. ISO Standard 12401, standard for safety belts and safety lanyards

A lifebelt (harness) is essential for securing yourself on board. Safety lines ensure a secure connection between crew members and the vessel (or pleasure craft).

A safety belt or harness – sometimes also called a lifebelt – is a belt that is worn around the upper body, usually the chest. The belt is made of flexible fabric and has a fitting, usually a D-ring, into which a safety or lifeline can be clipped. The harness and safety line then form a connection between the crew member and the vessel. The safety belt is already integrated into many life jackets. The safety line is attached to the corresponding D-ring.

Safety harnesses and safety lines manufactured according to ISO 12401 largely give the user the confidence that they will remain safely connected to the boat.

Equally important, a comfortable and easy-to-wear design encourages the user to wear the equipment the entire time they are on board a boat, rather than stowing it in a locker for emergencies. Comfort and freedom of movement are important factors when deciding whether to wear safety harnesses. These are designed to prevent the wearer from falling into the water or facilitate retrieval on deck.

Make sure your safety lines meet the ISO 12401 standard.