1. Lifesaving Equipment & Lifejacket Standards
US Coast Guard
Office of Design and Engineering Standards Lifesaving & Fire Safety Division
(CG-5214) Martin Jackson
05 April 2009

2. Current Projects – Consolidated North American Standard
ISO Standard
Lifejacket Test Laboratories
Third Party Inspection Alternatives
LED Distress Signals
Youth Inflatables Study

3. Consolidated North American Standard
General Plan - Project Milestones
North American PFD Standard
Funding shared –
Boating Safety Grant
PFD Industry UL label fee
Canadian – US Standard
Adopt ISO PFD Standard
Some National Deviations
Risk-based Evaluation Tools

4. ISO/CEN TC188 WG 14 International Standards –
ISO Stds and 15027
Continued US support for int’l PFD standards development
Includes all types of lifejackets, buoyant aids, and immersion suits
US presence at March ISO meeting further harmonized ISO with UL
ISO std includes low buoyancy devices not CG approved in US

5. Recognized Test Laboratories
UL is currently the only “recognized” lab for PFD testing
Currently evaluating application by another lab (IMANNA)
UL will support evaluation process as required by USCG/UL “memorandum of understanding”

6. Third Party Inspection Alternatives
CG is willing to work with industry to consider alternatives to current third-party inspection program
Note - PFDs differ from other consumer products – USCG approves and requires carriage – Consumers expect higher standard associated with USCG approval

7. Third Party Inspection Alternatives
Concerns include
Consistent post-market surveillance program;
Counterfeits from foreign mfg facilities;
Recent experience with self-certification (peanuts, E. Coli, Chinese toothpaste, baby formula, pet food, batteries, etc.)

8. LED Distress Signal
NBSAC Fall 2007 – Request to consider LED distress signals for rec boats.
PowerFlare met with USCG 24 September 2008
Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc. has adaptable technology – March 2009
Quickly Changing LED Technology
Performance criteria, Specifications, and Test Requirements not resolved – USCG R&D
Recognition as distress signal is one issue

9. LED Distress Signal Potential Devices PowerFlare
Intelligent Optical Systems

10. Inflatable PFDs for Youth –
RBS Strategy (2007)
PFDMA & Grant to study inflatables
PFDMA working with Applied Science & Ergonomics (ASE)

11. Inflatable PFDs for Youth –
Phase 1: In-Water Evaluation of Inflatable PFD Use for Youth Ages 6-15 Years Old.
Phase 2: In-Water Evaluation of Inflatable PFD Use for Adult Non-Swimmers and Weak Swimmers.
Report - Analysis of Evaluations, Risk Analysis, and Documentation