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In 2007 at the Plenary meeting of TC 188 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical committee for small craft granted ISAF observer status at the working group and Plenary meetings.

This year the ISAF Secretariat chose to exercise their observer status and attend the annual meeting of TC188 in Berlin, Germany this June. Working groups met discussing ISO standards involving Lifejackets, Quick Release Trapeze Harness, Yacht Stability and Yacht Structure and in particular Yacht Keels.

The ISO Standards are referenced in the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations - find out more at www.sailing.org/specialregs - and the European Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). The Special Regulations govern offshore racing for monohulls and multihulls, structural features, yacht equipment, personal equipment and training. The RCD is a mandatory specification for new and some second-hand boats in the European Community and lists a number of essential requirements to do with safety and environmental protection.

Jason SMITHWICK, Head of the ISAF Technical and Offshore department, said, "Our attendance this year was used to glean a better understanding of the process of ISO standard creation and this will certainly aid the maintenance and development of the Special Regulations through awareness of protocol and timescales. In future we hope that ISAF may have further significant input at these meetings to help develop ISO Standards for the safety of the sailor."

ISAF Safety microsite - www.sailing.org/safety