Division C.1 Requirements on the product design

Safety by design must be given priority compared to safety through instructions. Materials used and workmanship must correspond to the state of the art, taking into account the expected use of the articles and eventual consequences for the health of the user and the environment.

The following must be considered, as a minimum:

1. (a)

   floating stability in accordance with the intended and foreseeable use;

2. (b)

   minimum buoyancy and, in case of inflatable articles, residual buoyancy after failure of one air chamber. Additionally retention of function where appropriate and in particular where collective use is intended or likely;

3. (c)

   means of getting hold during use, easy gripping;

4. (d)

   easy escape in case of capsizing, avoidance of any other forms of entrapment or entanglement regarding parts of the human body;

5. (e)

   means to facilitate re-embarkation in particular where collective use is intended as well as means of getting hold when in the water in an emergency;

6. (f)

   presence of a reliable quick release for products moved (towed) at high speed;