EN, CE and UIAA Numbers Simplified
This section is a simplified explanation to some of the EN numbers.
EN numbers are the European Norm standard that something has to meet for a particular job. There are two different regulations most items of this specialisation will meet.
Mountaineering (Adventure) or Industrial.
Often the requirements equipment has to meet for adventure are higher than those required for industrial use.
UIAA markings mean that an item has also been approved for use in mountaineering by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation UIAA. For information on the UIAA standards and the testing methods, please visit the UIAA web site.
CE numbers only mean that an item has met the requirements the manufacturer has set for the product. Therefore products with this mark have not necessarily been assessed to the same standards as those with EN and UIAA numbers. Items with only CE numbers are not to be used for PPE.
Maillon Rapide is a good example of a manufacturer that has some products which are only tested to CE standards, and others that have met EN standards for connectors.
High Ropes Courses
The following EN numbers refer to the construction and safety of high ropes courses and operational requirements.
EN 15567 parts 1 – Construction and safety requirements. Focussing on construction, materials and load bearing factors.
EN 15567 parts 2 – Operational requirements. Focussing on training, day to day use, inspections and safety precautions for the high ropes facilities.
The UIAA have also published recommendations regarding the safe construction of Via-Ferratas. These can be found by clicking here.
Below is a list of all the EN numbers for equipment used in activity centres for an array of different activities.
Basic PPE
EN 343 – Protection for foul weather e.g. waterproofs.
EN 341 – High visibility clothing.
EN 388 – Abrasion resistant, Blade cut resistant, Tear resistant, Puncture resistant.
EN 420 – Protective gloves
EN 166 – Face and eye protection
Water Sports
EN 1385 – Helmets for canoeing and white water sports.
EN 393 – Buoyancy aids with a flotation ability of 50 newtons, minimum required for an adult
EN 1095 – Deck harnesses/Safety lines
EN 359 – Life jacket with 100 newtons of flotation support, offshore use.
EN 396 – Life jacket with 150 newtons of flotation support, offshore use with heavy clothing.
EN 399 – Life jacket with 275 newtons of flotation support, offshore foul weather use.
Climbing, Caving, Work at Height.
Harnesses
UIAA 105
EN 361 – Full body harness
EN 813 – Sit harness
Helmets
UIAA 106
EN 12492 and EN 397 – Impact protection
EN 397 and EN 50365 – Electrical insulation
EN 397 – Molten metal splash, lateral deformation and use in low temperatures.
Ropes and Slings
EN 892 UIAA 101 – Dynamic rope to be able to take a falling mass of 80kg (55kg on ½ ropes) with a dynamic elongation of 40%, must take 5 falls without breaking, (twin ropes are tested as a single but must take 12 falls without breaking. Static elongation should be <10% single, ½ and twin ropes <12%.
EN 1891 – Low stretch rope (commonly known as static) UIAA 107
EN 564 – Accessory cord UIAA 102
EN 566 – Slings UIAA 104
EN 565 – Tape UIAA 103
Lanyards and Via-Ferrata
EN 354 – Lanyards; these are not designed to absorb energy, they should be used in conjunction with an energy absorber for fall arrest.
EN 355 – Energy absorbers must be used in conjunction with lanyards when used for fall arrest.
EN 958 and UIAA 128– Type Y, Via Ferrata energy absorbers, these should be able to take a fall of 80kg with a slippage (stretch) of up to 1.2m.
Devices
EN 341- Descend devices e.g. Rig, I.D. old Gri Gri, Stop.
EN 12841- Rope adjustment devices and fall arrest e.g. I.D., Croll.
EN 567 – Rope clamps e.g. Traction pulleys, Ropeman UIAA 126
EN 12278 – Pulleys UIAA 127
Connectors
EN 12275 and UIAA 121– Connectors used in mountaineering
EN 362 – Connectors used for work positioning and fall arrest.
The standard specifies a minimum major axis gate, closed and unlocked static strength of 15kN
The standards also specifies a minimum major axis closed and locked static strength of 20kN
The stated strength is for loads applied along the major axis.
Mountaineering equipment meets a higher standard of 22kN minimum.
EN 569 – Pitons UIAA 122
EN 595 – Rock anchors UIAA 123 and 124
Snow/Ice
EN 893 – Crampons UIAA153
EN 13089 – Ice tools UIAA 152
EN 568 – Ice anchors UIAA 151 and UIAA 154