Overview
ISO 12402-3:2020 - "Personal flotation devices - Part 3: Lifejackets, performance level 150 - Safety requirements" is the international standard that defines safety, performance and information requirements for lifejackets at performance level 150. It applies to lifejackets intended for adults, children and infants for general, offshore or rough-water use and for situations where users are fully clothed. This second edition (2020) updates and replaces the 2006 edition and clarifies requirements for materials, performance, marking and user information.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 12402-3:2020 covers the full product lifecycle from design to user information. Major technical topics include:
- Classification and performance levels - places lifejackets within the ISO 12402 series and describes the role of level 150 relative to other levels (50, 100, 275).
- Materials and components - general requirements for fabrics, buoyancy chambers and components to ensure durability and safety.
- Types of buoyancy - provisions for inflatable, hybrid and inherently buoyant designs and how total buoyancy is to be provided and assessed.
- Inflation systems and indicators - acceptable means of inflation (automatic, manual, oral) and requirements for inflation status indicators, rearming and repacking information.
- Fit, donning and ride-up prevention - requirements to ensure the lifejacket keeps the wearer in a safe position in the water.
- Strength and performance testing - mechanical and in‑water performance checks to verify safety claims.
- Conspicuousness and retroreflective material - visibility requirements for locating people in the water.
- Marking and user information - mandatory markings on the lifejacket and documentation to be supplied to purchasers and consumers, including point-of-sale information.
Practical applications - who uses this standard
ISO 12402-3:2020 is used by:
- Manufacturers and designers of lifejackets to design, test and certify level 150 PFDs.
- Test laboratories and conformity assessors that perform safety and performance testing.
- Procurement officers, safety managers and maritime operators selecting lifejackets for offshore work, recreational boating and rough-water operations.
- Regulators and standards bodies as a reference for non-SOLAS lifejackets (SOLAS requirements for seagoing ships are governed by IMO).
- Rescue organizations and employers to set equipment policies and maintenance routines.
Related standards
- ISO 12402 series (other parts cover different performance levels, buoyancy aids, accessories and test methods).
- Note: requirements for lifting loops were moved to ISO 12402-8:2020 in this revision.
- SOLAS/IMO regulations cover lifejackets for seagoing ships and are separate from ISO 12402.
Keywords: ISO 12402-3, lifejackets, performance level 150, personal flotation devices, safety requirements, lifejacket standard, inflatable PFD, inherently buoyant.