Developing the highest standards for climbing gear has been one of the cornerstones of the UIAA since the 1960s. Spearheaded by its Safety Commission, significant investment and resources are deployed to continually review international standards for climbing and mountaineering equipment as well as identify potential...
The UIAA Safety label or the acronym ‘UIAA’ can be found on climbing and mountaineering gear worldwide. These four letters signify that this piece of climbing equipment has been accredited to meet the UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation’s – global safety standards. The UIAA...
The UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – held its annual General Assembly from 22-23 October. For the second year running the event was held online. A total of 128 delegates from over 71 member associations representing 56 countries attended. The 2021 General Assembly marked...
The UIAA Safety Commission is delighted to confirm the publication of UIAA Standard 130 Load Sharing Devices. The Standard can be downloaded here. This Standard specifies safety requirements and test methods for all types of load sharing devices commonly used in mountaineering (climbing and associated activities)...
Amit Chowdhury, newly elected Executive Board member of the UIAA, opened the latest online UIAA Safety Commission (SafeCom) meeting by announcing that in light of being appointed to this new role he would be stepping down as President of SafeCom. Recommended to chair the Commission...
The UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – regularly receives questions related to safety topics. The UIAA Safety Commission, with support of other UIAA Commissions and experts, recently commenced a series of articles answering common questions with the objective of making them available to...
Ahead of next month’s online UIAA General Assembly (GA), the UIAA Management Committee (MC) and Commission Presidents held a virtual session on Saturday 26 September with a focus both on preparing for the GA and the federation’s strategic plans for 2021 and beyond. Following an opening...
By day, Lionel Kiener is a micro-mechanical engineer for Neuchâtel-based research company CSEM. In his spare time he is a keen climber and one of the many volunteers who gives up their precious time to support the UIAA. Kiener has been volunteering with the UIAA for...
Following an internal Commission session in May, the UIAA Safety Commission (SafeCom) held its traditional two-day annual meeting on 8-9 June. The online (plenary) sessions welcomed nearly 50 participants including many industry leaders – representatives from major climbing gear and equipment manufacturers (UIAA Safety Label...
It has been reported that three canyon harnesses of unrelated marks and models broke between July 2017 and December 2018 in La Réunion, le Verdon, and Angon, (France). Fortunately, these breakages did not result in any serious injuries. A laboratory member of the UIAA Safety Commission...