At its recent annual meeting, held as part of celebrations for its 50th anniversary, the UIAA Safety Commission accredited its first testing laboratory in North America: ACT Lab in Long Beach, California.
ACT Lab joins a network of 21 UIAA accredited laboratories in nine countries and on three continents. For a full list of the labs and the UIAA safety standards they test click here.
“The UIAA Safety Commission, after a rigorous and intense application process, is delighted to accredit its first laboratory in North America. The UIAA label on a piece of mountaineering or climbing equipment attests it to be of the highest international standards for safety having met the requirements of the relevant UIAA standard. Being able to test equipment and grant UIAA Safety Labels in North America is a significant step – it opens opportunities for more brands and manufacturers to certify their products and makes it easier for existing Safety Label Holders to do the same. We look forward to working with ACT Lab over the coming years.”
Stephen Gladieux, UIAA Safety Commission (American Alpine Club)
About ACT Lab
ACT Lab is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory and 17065 certification body offering mechanical, chemical, and electrical safety testing, consultation, auditing and inspections services for a wide range of consumer products and industries. They specialize in safety and compliance of outdoor sporting goods, bicycles, helmets, e-bikes, toys, and more. Its mission is to be a globally trusted leader in consumer product testing for an active world.
“ACT Lab is proud to be the first UIAA approved and accredited testing laboratory in North America. The UIAA label represents the highest international standard for safety in climbing and mountaineering equipment. This approval provides an expanded solution for UIAA validation and will further assist brands to complete all the necessary safety testing with increased efficiency. We’re excited to provide mountaineering product manufacturers with exceptionally qualified testing services in North America.”
Devin Walton, Director of Business Development, ACT Lab
ACT is planning on testing equipment to the following UIAA standards:
- EN 564 (UIAA 102) Mountaineering equipment – Accessory Cord – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 565 (UIAA 103) Mountaineering equipment – Tape – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 566 (UIAA 104) Mountaineering equipment – Slings – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 567 (UIAA 126) Mountaineering equipment – Rope clamps – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 569 (UIAA 122) Mountaineering equipment – Pitons – Safety requirements and test methods
- UIAA 109 Mountaineering equipment – Dynamic mountaineering ropes – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 893 (UIAA 153) Mountaineering equipment – Crampons – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 12270 (UIAA 124) Mountaineering equipment – Chocks – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 12275 (UIAA 121) Mountaineering equipment – Connectors – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 12492 (UIAA 106) Mountaineering equipment – Helmets for mountaineers – Safety requirements and test methods
- EN 13089 (UIAA 152) Mountaineering equipment – Ice-tools – Safety requirements and test methods.