Maritime distress signals also require SOLAS/MED approval, as they are also considered life-saving equipment according to Chapter III of the international convention SOLAS74/88.

The more detailed specifications and testing procedures for life-saving appliances are defined in the LSA Code (Life-Saving Appliance Code). The purpose of this code is to establish international standards for life-saving appliances required by Chapter III of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention), 1974/1988.

The exact wording of the LSA Code can be found at the following link:

http://www.deutsche-flagge.de/de/download/bau-und-ausruestung/neu-und-umbau/zusaetzliche-Informationen/lsa-code

The regulation defines the following characteristics of the three distress signals:

3.1 Parachute flares

3.1.1 The parachute flare must

1. be in a waterproof case;

2. bear on its shell a short and clear instruction manual or an equivalent graphic illustration of how to use the rocket;

3. have a built-in ignition device;

4. be designed so that, when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, it does not obstruct the person holding the sleeve.

3.1.2 The rocket must reach a height of at least 300 metres when launched vertically. At or near the apex of its trajectory, the rocket must eject a flare with a parachute.

1. burns with a bright red color;

2. burns evenly with an average luminous intensity of at least 30 000 candelas;

3. has a burning time of at least 40 seconds;

4. has a falling speed of no more than 5 metres per second;

5. who does not damage his parachute or any attachment during the firing.

3.2 Hand flares

3.2.1 The hand flare must

1. be in a waterproof case;

2. bear on its casing a short and clear instruction manual or an appropriate graphic illustration of how to use the hand torch;

3. have a built-in ignition device;

4. be designed so that, when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, it does not obstruct the person carrying the cartridge case and does not endanger the survival craft through burning or glowing residues.

3.2.2 The hand flare must

1. burn with a bright red color;

2. burn evenly with an average luminous intensity of at least 15 000 candelas;

3. have a burning time of at least 1 minute;

4. continue to burn after being immersed in 100 millimeters of water for 10 seconds.

3.3 Floatable smoke signals

3.3.1 The buoyant smoke signal

1. must be in a waterproof case;

2. must not ignite explosively when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions;

3. must bear on its casing a brief and clear instruction manual or an appropriate graphic illustration of how to use the buoyant smoke signal.

3.3.2 The buoyant smoke signal

1. must emit smoke of a clearly visible colour in a uniform quantity for at least 3 minutes when floating in calm water;

2. must not produce any flames during the entire smoke emission;

3. must not go out in rough seas;

4. must continue to emit smoke when immersed in 100 millimetres of water for 10 seconds.

Distress signals that also bear the “steering wheel” conformity mark are additionally approved for use on merchant vessels flying a European flag.

Distress beacons with SOLAS/MED approval do not necessarily require CE marking. However, it has proven advantageous for distress beacons to obtain both SOLAS/MED and CE approval to ensure clear assignment to the relevant storage and transport group, provided they are stored within the EU.

CE approval

To ensure the free movement of pyrotechnic articles within the EU internal market, the EU adopted a uniform directive on the placing on the market of pyrotechnic articles, designated 2007/23/EU, on May 23, 2007. This required EU member states to transpose this directive into national law by January 4, 2010, and to apply the relevant regulations by July 4, 2013, at the latest.

Germany has complied with this regulation by incorporating the EU regulations into its national explosives law as of October 1, 2009.

Due to significant changes, Directive 2007/23/EU has been revised by the European Commission in the form of Directive 2013/29/EU, which completely replaces the old directive. As part of this revision, all European states are required to incorporate the changes into national law by June 30, 2015, at the latest. Corresponding adjustments to the German Explosives Act and its regulations have been made.

All pyrotechnic articles, including maritime distress signals (except SOLAS signals for merchant shipping), require approval from one of the so-called Notified Bodies designated in Europe and will in future receive the CE mark as proof of conformity. Along with the CE mark, each product also receives a classification for the corresponding storage and transport group.