ISAF In-House Certification Continues To Grow

If 2014 was a successful year for the ISAF In-House Certification (IHC) Scheme, then 2015 has started in much the same manner with manufacturers in two new countries already getting involved.

With over 46,800 IHC sail stickers issued to date, the ISAF IHC scheme continues to go from strength to strength.

North Sails – Palma de Mallorca, ESP

In what was a busy few weeks for the ISAF IHC scheme, at the end of January Rob Taylor, ISAF Technical Co-ordinator travelled to Palma, Mallorca to meet the team at North Sails in order to initiate the In-House Certification scheme.

Catering primarily for yachts at the larger end of the IHC scale, North Sails Palma looks after the sails for some of the world’s biggest and most prestigious yachts. Focussing entirely on sail certification for IRC, their involvement in the scheme highlights just how the training and traceability required by the ISAF IHC scheme can be applied to boats of all shapes and sizes.

Rob Taylor highlighted the importance of measurement training and why even experienced sailmakers are attending these courses in order to get involved in the ISAF IHC scheme, “The sail measurement training courses are key to the success of the ISAF IHC scheme as it ensures all sail lofts around the world are trained to the same standards which can be applied to a wide range of different classes.”

During their three day visit, the North Sails team undertook a training course in sail measurement and following the successful completion of the subsequent audit of procedures, ISAF is pleased to announce that North Sails are now fully involved in the ISAF In-House Certification scheme.

Ullman Sails – Durban, RSA

The ISAF In-House Certification scheme once again broke new ground earlier this month by heading to South Africa between 5-8 February.

Ullman Sails in Durban (RSA), is the latest loft to have undertaken the ISAF Sail Measurement Training Course on their way to becoming the first African sail loft involved in the IHC scheme.

During the three day visit, the Ullman Sails team undertook a training course in sail measurement and following the successful completion of the subsequent audit of procedures, ISAF is pleased to announce that Ullman Sails RSA are now fully involved ISAF In-House Certification scheme.

Craig Millar, Vice President of Business Development for Ullman Sails International and Managing Director of Ullman Sails Durban said, “Joining the ISAF IHC scheme is an important step forward for the Ullman Sails one design Durban loft and the rest of the Ullman Group. IHC certification allows us to provide better service to our customers in the ability to deliver sails premeasured whilst also assuring our customers that we have gone the extra mile to make sure that they receive accurately built quality sails. We are very excited to have taken this step.”

How It Works

In-House Certification (IHC) centres around a Certification System allowing the manufacturer to self-certify the equipment they produce at the point of manufacture – but only once their have met a designated standard. Each nation or region has an IHC Authorizing Authority (AA) approved by ISAF (normally the MNA), which approves, contracts and audits manufacturers with Certification Systems. Classes involved in the IHC scheme ensure their class rules are suitable for IHC and assist the development of control methods.

Get Involved

Classes wishing to use the ISAF IHC scheme for certification of equipment will need to ensure that their class rules and other equipment controls lend themselves to IHC. The most positive way to achieve this is by the application of the ISAF standards for class rules (SCR) and the Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS).

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