© 2011 Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standards Development for PFDs – Accomplishments and Path Forward

WHERE WE ARE NOW 1. UL PFD STANDARDS UL 1123, UL 1180, UL 1191, UL 1175, UL 1177, UL 1197, and UL 1517 have current ANSI approval. Limited activity is anticipated.  Focus is on the development of the harmonized standards.  Exceptions: Proposal requests that cover serious safety concerns not addressed by the standard, address new or innovative products, delete requirements no longer applicable, or bring the UL standard more in line with the harmonized standard and are supported by the IHC. 2

2. Partnership in Standards Development 3 US TAG Affiliated with ISO TC 188 which brings the US perspective to the ISO standards. Reviews ISO proposals. IHC Recommends National Differences to ISO text. Makes recommendations to the STP for ISO-based UL Standards. STP Consensus body that approves ISO-based UL Standards.

3. STP TASK GROUPS THROWABLES TASK GROUP * Chair – Wayne Walters Objective - Delete all the requirements for throwable PFDs from UL 1123 and move them into UL THROW TEST TASK GROUP * Chair – Wayne Walters Objective - Develop a new Throw Test proposal. A proposal that revised the throw test distance requirements for the candidate device was balloted in December 2011 but failed. STP members expressed support for the intent of the proposal but suggested additional changes. A task group was formed to consider comments received per the proposal balloting and develop a new proposal. SIZING TASK GROUP * Chair – Susan Balistreri Objective – Analyze how age, weight, and intrinsic buoyancy relate to sizing and develop a proposal to address current sizing needs for children and teens. 4

4. UL ISO-based DRAFTS Circulated to the STP for preliminary review in 2011 – significant comments received on all drafts UL Part 4, Lifejackets, Level 100 UL Part 5, Buoyancy Aids UL Part 9, Test Methods STP Comment Resolution Meeting in January 2012 Targeted comments, suggested changes to the draft, and related IHC suggested dispositions were discussed at the meeting. IHC reviewing input from comments and STP discussions and modifying drafts 5

5. Next Steps Work with IHC to advance next round of documents for comment and/or ballot to the STP as soon as the material is available. Facilitate comment resolution. Work with IHC, test houses, industry, and USCG towards final publication and implementation as soon as practical. 6

We are working towards a common goal! Please share your ideas and input on STP Membership and Participation in the Standards Process Betty McKay Phone: