USCG Rulemaking Regulatory Update

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) completed publication of the Lifejacket Approval Harmonization final rule on Dec. 6, 2024.

The rule went into effect on Jan. 6, 2025. However, it will not be implemented until June 4, 2025.

For manufacturers, this means that after June 4, 2025, the USCG and UL Solutions can grant approvals for Level 50, Level 70 and Level 100 personal flotation devices (PFDs) complying with ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-5, the Standard for Personal Flotation Devices — Part 5: Buoyancy Aids (Level 50) — Safety Requirements, or ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-4, the Standard for Personal Flotation Devices — Part 4: Lifejackets, Performance Level 100 — Safety Requirements, without limitation.

Because UL 12402-5 and UL 12402-4 are bi-national standards, this comes with the caveat that the formal process for accepting these devices must also be completed in Canada before the approvals can be issued. The USCG is working with Transport Canada to ensure alignment between the U.S. and Canada.

The final rule can be found at Regulations.gov.

The small entity compliance guide (SECG) can be found in the rulemaking docket.

Before June 4, 2025, UL Solutions will still issue certifications to legacy Standards UL 1123, the Standard for Marine Buoyant Devices, and UL 1180, the Standard for Fully Inflatable Recreational Personal Flotation Devices, and the USCG will continue to issue new approvals under the current regulations and policies 02-21 and 02-18 (CG-ENG Policy).

The USCG is continuing to develop the policy to adopt ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-6 for special-purpose PFDs.

It is important to note that existing certifications/approvals are not affected by this rule. Existing approved PFDs may continue to be manufactured, sold and used by boaters to meet carriage requirements, even after June 4, 2025.

UL Solutions will update customers with further details in due course.