EN ISO 12401:2009

Small craft - Deck safety harness and safety line - Safety requirements and test methods (ISO 12401:2009)

ISO 12401:2009 specifies the requirements for performance, sizing, marking and test methods for deck safety harnesses and safety lines on recreational craft.
It is applicable to harnesses and lines in the following sizes of body mass (multisizing is permitted):
size 1: > 50 kg ;
size 2: > 20 kg ≤ 50 kg;
size 3: ≤ 20 kg;
which are intended to be worn by all persons when in the exposed cockpit or on the working deck of a craft afloat.
It is not applicable to dinghy 'trapeze' harnesses, windsurfing harnesses, seat harnesses for fast motor boats, and harnesses intended to protect against falls from a height.

Kleine Wasserfahrzeuge - Sicherheitsgurt und Sicherheitsleine - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren (ISO 12401:2009)

Diese Internationale Norm legt Anforderungen an Leistung, Größe, Kennzeichnung und Prüfverfahren für
Sicherheitsgurte und Sicherheitsleinen zur Benutzung auf Freizeitbooten fest.
Sie gilt für Gurte und Leinen der folgenden Größen nach Körpergewicht:
Größe 1: > 50 kg1);
Größe 2: > 20 kg ≤ 50 kg1);
Größe 3: ≤ 20 kg1);
die dafür vorgesehen sind, von allen Personen getragen zu werden, die sich im Cockpit oder auf dem
Arbeitsdeck eines auf See befindlichen Bootes aufhalten.
Sie gilt nicht für Segeltrapeze für Jollen, für Windsurfgeschirre oder für Sitzgurte für schnelle Motorboote und
Gurte zum Schutz gegen Abstürze aus der Höhe.

Petits navires - Harnais de sécurité de pont et sauvegardes de harnais - Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai (ISO 12401:2009)

L'ISO 12401:2009 spécifie les exigences de performances, de tailles, de marquage et de méthodes d'essai relatives aux harnais de sécurité de pont et à leurs sauvegardes utilisés sur les bateaux de plaisance.
Elle est applicable aux harnais et à leurs sauvegardes, correspondant aux tailles et masses corporelles suivantes (multitaille autorisée):
taille 1: > 50 kg;
taille 2: > 20 kg ≤ 50 kg;
taille 3: ≤ 20 kg;
qui sont destinés à être portés par toutes les personnes lorsqu'elles sont dans un cockpit exposé ou sur le pont d'un bateau à flot.
Elle n'est pas applicable aux harnais de «trapèze» des dériveurs légers, aux harnais de planches à voile, aux harnais de sièges des bateaux à moteur rapides et aux harnais contre les chutes verticales.

Mala plovila - Varnostni pasovi in varnostne vrvi - Varnostne zahteve in preskusne metode (ISO 12401:2009)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2009
• Withdrawal Date: 27-Feb-2010
• ICS: 13.340.99 - Other protective equipment
• ICS: 47.080 - Small craft
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 162 - Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 162/WG 6 - Lifejackets
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 01-Aug-2009
• Completion Date: 01-Aug-2009
• Directive: 2016/425 - Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment and repealing Council Directive 89/686/EEC
• Directive: 89/686/EEC - Council Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment
• Directive: 93/68/EEC - Council Directive amending Dir. 87/404/EEC (simple pressure vessels), 88/378/EEC (safety of toys), 89/106/EEC (construction products), 89/336/EEC (electromagnetic compatibility), 89/392/EEC (machinery), 89/686/EEC (personal protective equipment), 90/384/EEC (automatic weighing instruments), 90/385/EEC (active implantable medicinal devices), 90/396/EEC (appliances burning gaseous fuels), 91/263/EEC (telecommunications terminal equipment), 92/42/EEC and 73/23/EEC
• Directive: 93/95/EEC - Personal protective equipment (Dir. 89/686/EEC amendment)
• Directive: 96/58/EC - Personal protective equipment (Dir. 89/686/EEC amendment)
• Mandate: M/031 - Standardization mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning standards for Personal Protective Equipment
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 12401:2009 - Small craft - Deck safety harness and safety line - Safety requirements and test methods (ISO 12401:2009)

Relations

• Replaces: EN 1095:1998 - Deck safety harness and safety line for use on recreational craft - Safety requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Revised: prEN ISO 12401 - Small craft - Deck safety harness and safety line - Safety requirements and test methods (ISO/DIS 12401:2025)
• Effective Date: 13-Aug-2025

Overview

EN ISO 12401:2009 - Small craft: Deck safety harness and safety line specifies performance, sizing, marking and test methods for deck safety harnesses and safety lines used on recreational craft. Adopted by CEN as EN ISO 12401:2009 (superseding EN 1095:1998), the standard covers harnesses intended to be worn by persons in an exposed cockpit or on a working deck afloat. It applies to three body-mass sizes (multisizing permitted): size 1: >50 kg; size 2: >20 kg ≤50 kg; size 3: ≤20 kg. The standard excludes dinghy “trapeze” harnesses, windsurfing harnesses, seat harnesses for fast motor boats and harnesses designed to protect against falls from height.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope & sizing: Defines applicability by body-mass sizes and intended use on small recreational craft.
• Materials and construction: Requirements for durable materials and appropriate assembly to ensure secure attachment and longevity.
• Performance requirements: General performance criteria to ensure wearer remains attached to the craft and can be recovered to the deck.
• Test methods:
  • Magnetic properties testing
  • Dynamic testing (for dynamic load performance)
  • Static testing (notably static loading for size 3 harnesses)
  • Accidental hook opening testing
  • User’s tests and inspection requirements for sizes 1 & 2 and for safety lines
• Marking and user information: Mandatory marking and manufacturer-supplied information to support correct fitting, maintenance and safe use.
• Compatibility & ergonomics: Emphasis on comfort, correct fit (or use of automatic tensioners), and compatibility with other personal protective equipment (PPE).

Practical applications and users

EN ISO 12401:2009 is essential for:

• Manufacturers and product designers developing deck safety harnesses and integrated safety lines for recreational boats.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing dynamic/static tests, hook-opening tests and marking verification.
• Procurement and compliance teams specifying compliant harnesses for marinas, sailing schools, charter fleets and private owners.
• Safety officers and sailors selecting correctly sized, well-marked harnesses and understanding fitting and inspection requirements.

Using this standard helps ensure reliable performance, regulatory alignment (supports EU Directive 89/686/EEC for PPE), and improved wearer acceptance through ergonomic design - increasing the likelihood the equipment will be worn continuously while afloat.

Related standards

• ISO 12402 series (PFD materials, accessories and test methods)
• ISO 139, ISO 9227, ISO 12402-7/-8/-9, ISO 15027-1/-2
• EN 892 (dynamic rope test methods)
• EN 1095:1998 (superseded)

Keywords: EN ISO 12401:2009, deck safety harness, safety line, small craft, test methods, safety requirements, recreational craft, harness sizing, CEN.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2009
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 1095:1998
Mala plovila - Varnostni pasovi in varnostne vrvi - Varnostne zahteve in preskusne
metode (ISO 12401:2009)
Small craft - Deck safety harness and safety line - Safety requirements and test methods
(ISO 12401:2009)
Kleine Wasserfahrzeuge - Sicherheitsgurt und Sicherheitsleine - Sicherheitstechnische
Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren (ISO 12401:2009)
Petits navires - Harnais de sécurité de pont et sauvegardes de harnais - Exigences de
sécurité et méthodes d'essai (ISO 12401:2009)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 12401:2009
ICS:
13.340.60 =DãþLWDSUHGSDGFLLQ]GUVL Protection against falling and
slipping
47.080 ýROQL Small craft
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 12401
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
August 2009
ICS 47.080 Supersedes EN 1095:1998
English Version
Small craft - Deck safety harness and safety line - Safety
requirements and test methods (ISO 12401:2009)
Petits navires - Harnais de sécurité de pont et sauvegardes Kleine Wasserfahrzeuge - Sicherheitsgurt und
de harnais - Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai Sicherheitsleine - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen
(ISO 12401:2009) und Prüfverfahren (ISO 12401:2009)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 31 July 2009.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the
official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2009 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 12401:2009: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 89/686/EEC .4

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 12401:2009) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 188 "Small craft" in
collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 162 “Protective clothing including hand and arm protection
and lifejackets”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2010, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn
at the latest by February 2010.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 1095:1998.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EC Directive(s).
For relationship with EC Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 12401:2009 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 12401:2009 without any modification.
Annex ZA
(informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and
the Essential Requirements of EU Directive 89/686/EEC
This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association to provide a means of conforming to Essential Requirements of the
New Approach Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
personal protective equipment.
Once this European Standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Communities under that Directive
and has been implemented as a national standard in at least one Member State, compliance with the clauses
of this standard given in Table ZA.1 confers, within the limits of the scope of this standard, a presumption of
conformity with the corresponding Essential Requirements of that Directive and associated EFTA regulations.
Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Directive 89/686/EEC
Clause(s)/sub- Essential Requirements (ERs) of Directive 89/686/EEC Qualifying
clause(s) of this remarks/Notes
standard
4.3.3 1.1.1 Ergonomics
4.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, Absence of risks and other “inherent” nuisance factors
4.2.4, 4.3.2, 4.3.4, 1.2.1
4.3.5, 4.3.6, 4.5
4.2.3 1.2.1.2 Satisfactory surface condition of all PPE parts in
contact with the user
4.3.3 1.2.1.3 Maximum permissible user impediment

4.3.1, 4.3.3 1.3 Comfort and efficiency
1.3.1 Adaptation of PPE to user morphology

4.2.1, 4.4 1.3.2 Lightness and design strength

4.3.6, 4.3.7, 6 e) 1.3.3 Compatibility of PPE for simultaneous use

6, 7 1.4 Information supplied by the manufacturer

6 2.4 PPE subject to ageing
4.3.1 2.7 PPE intended for rapid installation

6 2.12 PPE bearing one or more identification or recognition
marks directly or indirectly relating to health and
safety
WARNING — Other requirements and other EU Directives may be applicable to the products falling
within the scope of this standard.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12401
Second edition
2009-08-01
Small craft — Deck safety harness and
safety line — Safety requirements and
test methods
Petits navires — Harnais de sécurité de pont et sauvegardes de
harnais — Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai

Reference number
ISO 12401:2009(E)
©
ISO 2009
ISO 12401:2009(E)
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ii © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

ISO 12401:2009(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 2
4 Requirements for safety. 3
4.1 General. 3
4.2 Materials and construction . 3
4.3 General performance. 3
4.4 Inspection requirements for deck safety harness sizes 1 and 2 and safety line . 5
4.5 Static loading of deck safety harness size 3 . 5
5 Test methods. 5
5.1 Magnetic properties testing. 5
5.2 Dynamic testing . 5
5.3 Static testing of deck safety harnesses of size 3 only. 12
5.4 Accidental hook opening testing . 13
5.5 User’s tests. 14
6 Marking . 15
7 Information supplied by the manufacturer . 16

ISO 12401:2009(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12401 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 188, Small craft.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12401:2004), which has been technically
revised.
iv © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

ISO 12401:2009(E)
Introduction
This International Standard has been prepared to meet the needs of persons afloat on recreational craft. Deck
safety harnesses and safety lines manufactured according to this International Standard will give reasonable
assurance that the wearer will remain attached to the craft.
A deck safety harness and safety line does not provide protection against falls from a height. This
International Standard does not cover the requirements of a dinghy “trapeze” harness, a windsurfing harness,
or a seat harness for fast motor boats.
This International Standard is intended to serve as a guide to manufacturers, purchasers and users of such
safety equipment by ensuring that the equipment provides an effective standard of performance in use.
Equally essential is the need for the designer to encourage the wearing of the equipment by making it
comfortable and attractive for continuous wear while afloat, rather than for it to be stowed in a locker for
emergency use. The principal reason for the existence of this International Standard is the recognition that
comfort and mobility are important factors in determining whether deck safety harnesses are worn.
The primary aims in wearing a deck safety harness are:
a) to prevent the wearer from falling into the water, and
b) to assist in recovering the wearer onto the working deck.
Preventing the wearer from actually falling into the water is dependent on the location of the attachment to the
craft and the length of the safety line. Because a correctly worn deck safety harness and safety line will, in
normal circumstances, prevent the wearer from entering the water, no consideration is given to the towing
position after a fall. The importance of ensuring a firm fit cannot be overstressed. Unless the harness is fitted
with an automatic tensioner, it remains the responsibility of the wearer to correctly adjust the harness to
achieve a firm fit.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12401:2009(E)

Small craft — Deck safety harness and safety line — Safety
requirements and test methods
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the requirements for performance, sizing, marking and test methods for
deck safety harnesses and safety lines on recreational craft.
It is applicable to harnesses and lines in the following sizes of body mass:
1)
a) size 1: > 50 kg ;
1)
b) size 2: > 20 kg u 50 kg ;
1)
c) size 3: u 20 kg ;
which are intended to be worn by all persons when in the exposed cockpit or on the working deck of a craft
afloat.
It is not applicable to dinghy “trapeze” harnesses, windsurfing harnesses, seat harnesses for fast motor boats,
and harnesses intended to protect against falls from a height.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 139, Textiles — Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests
ISO 12402-7, Personal flotation devices — Part 7: Materials and components — Safety requirements and test
methods
ISO 12402-8, Personal flotation devices — Part 8: Accessories — Safety requirements and test methods
ISO 12402-9:2006, Personal flotation devices — Part 9: Test methods
ISO 15027-1, Immersion suits — Part 1: Constant wear suits, requirements including safety
ISO 15027-2, Immersion suits — Part 2: Abandonment suits, requirements including safety
EN 892:2004, Mountaineering equipment — Dynamic mountaineering rope — Safety requirements and test
methods
1) Multisizing permitted.
ISO 12401:2009(E)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
deck safety harness
device securely fitted to the user and which provides suitable strong point(s) of attachment for the safety line
3.2
safety line
link between the point of attachment on the deck safety harness and a strong point of attachment on the craft
3.3
hook
self-closing means of attachment between the safety line and the strong points on the deck safety harness
and the craft on non-integrated safety lines, and between the safety line and the strong points on the deck of
the craft on integrated safety lines
3.4
automatic tensioner
device which allows the harness to be worn looser than desirable for safe operation but which automatically
tensions the harness to a safe firm fit when strain is placed on the safety line
NOTE The deliberate movement of such a device when tensioning the harness is not considered to be slippage of an
adjustment device.
3.5
reference deck safety harness
device used to test a separate safety line
NOTE This is represented in tests by the attachment link between the test mass and the safety line under test.
3.6
reference safety line
device used to test a separate deck safety harness
3.7
integrated deck safety harness and safety line
combination of deck safety harness and safety line that cannot be separated without destruction
3.8
assessment panel
panel consisting of experienced users, responsible for assessing the results of the test
3.9
holding-down device
crotch and thigh straps, integrated or attached to clothing worn between the legs
3.10
integrated combination of deck safety harness and clothing
combination of deck safety harness and clothing that cannot be separated without destruction nor worn
without the holding-down device in its intended position
2 © ISO 2009 – All rights reserved

ISO 12401:2009(E)
4 Requirements for safety
4.1 General
The original effective maximum length of a safety line, measured with a measuring tape between the
attachment points, under a load of 10 kg, shall not exceed 2 m including the length of the hooks.
Design of the safety line and its attachments to the wearer shall preclude accidental incorrect attachment
resulting in more than 2 m between the strong point on the craft and the strong point on the deck safety
harness.
4.2 Materials and construction
4.2.1 Materials and components shall comply with the relevant requirements in ISO 12402-7. Sewing
threads shall be of a contrasting shade or colour in order to facilitate visual inspection.
4.2.2 All machining shall have been carried out on a lockstitching machine and securely finished off by
back-sewing for at least 13 mm, except where sewn by an automatic lockstitching machine when the first and
last stitches shall have been sewn in such a way as not to provide a natural starting point for a break in the
stitching. Sewing shall not have been carried out within 2 mm of any edge of the material. However, ends may
be oversewn if not heat-sealed. Sacrificial elements are not required to comply with this method of stitching.
4.2.3 The system of deck safety harness and/or safety line, including all metal components attached at the
intended attachment points, shall not deflect a magnetic compass by more than 1°. Testing shall be carried
out in accordance with ISO 12402-9:2006, 5.4.
4.2.4 The webbing or equivalent primary elements designed to transfer the shock load to the wearer's body
shall have a minimum width of
a) 45 mm for size 1,
b) 35 mm for size 2 and
c) 25 mm for size 3.
NOTE For a definition of sizes, see Clause 1.
4.3 General performance
4.3.1 Donning
Donning of a deck safety harness shall be obvious and simple on the briefest of instructions. This shall be
tested in accordance with 5.5.
4.3.2 Attachment point
The point of attachment of a safety line to a deck safety harness shall be positioned within 50 mm of the
central axis of the body, front or back, above the lowest point of the ribcage.
If a deck safety harness incorporates more than one point to which the safety line can be attached, it shall
either be demonstrated, using the test in 5.2, that attachment to each single point of attachment in turn meets
the requirements of this
...