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First held in March 2009 as an invitational event to Member National Authorities interested in finding out how they could get involved, this year it is open to everyone to come and find out more. The ISAF In-House Certification scheme has seen some significant growth during 2010, with manufacturers now spanning 5 countries across 3 continents and some 8500 certification stickers on equipment.

What will be covered?

We will be covering everything you need to know about the ISAF In-House Certification scheme; how it works, how and what is needed to get involved and how this impacts on Class Associations, Member National Authorities, manufacturers and the sailors themselves.

The ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing are the backbone of the IHC scheme. They are used to produce the training courses and ensure all measurements are taken in the same way, leaving the specific class rules to determine actual dimensions.

During the afternoon we will go through some of the training course material highlighting the need for a standard course that is given to all manufacturers which in turn allows them to apply a consistent and repeatable measurement procedure to the equipment they supply. This, along with periodic audits and re-training, ensures everyone involved in the IHC scheme measures equipment in the same way. Using the same techniques across the world is absolutely key to the credibility and success of the scheme.

We will have input from Class Associations already using the IHC scheme and find out how this has been working for them as well as finding out first hand from event equipment inspectors how the introduction of IHC has made their role easier. The Federazione Italiana Vela is the latest MNA to become involved as an Authorizing Authority and we will have their views on how they found the process of setting up the IHC scheme in their country.

Get Involved!
Classes wishing to be involved in the Programme will need to ensure that their class rules and other equipment controls lend themselves to IHC. The way to achieve this is by the application of the ISAF standards for class rules (SCR) and the Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS).

Any class association wishing to become involved in the ISAF In-House Certification Scheme should read Section 8 of the Criteria and Responsibilities document before contacting the ISAF Technical Department for further information

MNAs and manufacturers wishing to become involved or find out more about the ISAF In-House Certification scheme should also contact the ISAF Technical Department , visit the ISAF IHC microsite or check out the ISAF IHC Facebook page for further details.