Standard For Safety Components for Personal Flotation Devices

Note: The project need of this Notice of Intent (originally published on June 18, 2024) was updated by the responsible SDO on September 24, 2024.

1.1  These requirements cover components intended for use in the manufacturer of personal flotation devices and immersion suits. Compliance with these requirements does not indicate that the product is intended for use as a component of an end product without further investigation. The requirements shall be applied to other components if found to be appropriate.

1.2  The components addressed in this Standard are intended for use in personal flotation devices and immersion suits which comply with the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the United States Coast Guard Subparts of Chapter I, Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, and Transport Canada. These include:

a) USCG Subparts 160.002, 160.047, 160.048, 160.049, 160.050, 160.052, 160.053, 160.055, 160.060, 160.064, 160.076, 160.077, 160.150, 160.155, 160.171, and 160.176.

b) The requirements for:

1) Marine Buoyant Devices, UL 1123;

2) Buoyant Cushions, UL 1175;

3) Buoyant Vests, UL 1177;

4) Hybrid Personal Flotation Devices, UL 1517; and

5) Fully Inflatable Recreational Personal Flotation Devices, UL 1180.

6) Immersion Suits, UL 1197.

7) Personal Flotation Devices – Part 5: Buoyancy Aids (Level 50) – Safety Requirements, UL 12402-5.

1.3  These requirements also cover personal flotation device components intended to meet the requirements of the United States Coast Guard Subparts of Chapter I, Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations. These include USCG Subparts 164.019 and 164.023.

1.4  The components addressed in this Standard are not prohibited from being used on devices that comply with other regulations and requirements (other than those tabulated in 1.2) when the component meets the intent of the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories Inc., the United States Coast Guard, and Transport Canada.