Overview
EN ISO 25649-6:2024 - "Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 6: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class D devices" (CEN adoption of ISO 25649-6:2024) specifies safety requirements and standardized test methods for Class D floating leisure articles. It applies whether buoyancy is achieved by inflation or by inherent buoyant materials and complements ISO 25649-1:2024. Typical Class D products include inflatable climbing structures, bouncing platforms, slides, water trampolines, teeter-totters and obstacle courses used in pools, lakes and sheltered marine areas.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard focuses on safety, performance, materials and consumer information. Main technical areas covered include:
- Design and fixings: requirements and test methods for buckles, straps and other fixings.
- Sizing and load capacity: product and user sizing, admissible number of users and maximum load limits.
- Components and valves: specific valve and stopper requirements and test procedures for inflatable devices.
- Buoyancy and floating stability: tests for minimum and residual buoyancy, and criteria for devices claiming stability.
- In-water performance: carrying handles, climbing facilities, re-embarkation provisions, anchorage, required water depth and horizontal safety distances.
- Safety features: visibility, protection against entrapment and corrosion, safety pads for trampolines and buoyant platforms.
- Modular systems and pool use: requirements for water park modules and arrangements, with annexes for devices exceeding 5 m height and anchorage guidance.
- Information and labelling: user instructions, warnings (e.g., “no protection against drowning”), recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), inflation/pressure guidance, and limits of use (number of users, total weight, wind/currents).
Practical applications and users
This standard is essential for:
- Manufacturers and product designers seeking to certify Class D floating leisure articles and demonstrate compliance with European safety expectations.
- Test laboratories and quality assurance teams performing standardized tests for buoyancy, stability, valves and structural fixings.
- Facility operators and water park managers who install, use and maintain floating modules in pools, lakes and nearshore areas.
- Regulators, conformity assessors and purchasers evaluating product safety, labelling and suitability for intended use.
Related standards and regulatory context
- Directly linked to ISO 25649-1:2024 (general classification and framework).
- Annex ZA maps the standard to EU requirements (Directive 2001/95/EC and Commission Decision implementing it), providing a route to presumption of conformity within its scope.
Keywords: EN ISO 25649-6:2024, floating leisure articles, Class D devices, water trampolines, buoyancy tests, inflatable water park safety, test methods, water park modules.
