• EN 15151-1: Mountaineering Braking Devices with Assisted Locking
This category includes GriGri-style active assisted-braking devices used for rope descent, as well as top-rope and lead belaying in mountaineering, rock climbing, caving, and similar activities. The standard divides them into four subtypes, based on two criteria: whether the device has an anti-panic function, and whether it is intended for descent only or for both descent and belaying.
• EN 15151-2: Mountaineering Manual Braking Devices
This category includes figure-eights, racks, tube-style devices, belay plates, and passive assisted-braking models where the braking effect depends on the user’s control of the brake strand. The standard divides them into four subtypes, based on two criteria: whether the device is intended for descent only or for both descent and belaying, and whether the device has a built-in friction-adjustment function.
• EN 12841: Personal Fall Protection Equipment. Rope Adjustment Devices. Type C: Descenders
These are Type C rope adjustment devices used for controlled descent and positioning on the working line. In practice, this means professional active assisted-braking descenders for work at height, such as the Petzl RIG, Skylotec Spark, CAMP Druid, and similar devices.
• EN 341: Personal Fall Protection Equipment. Descender Devices for Rescue
These are descender devices intended for rescue operations and evacuation. In practice, these are often more robust devices, such as the Petzl Maestro or Harken Clutch, designed for higher loads — for example, lowering a rescuer together with a casualty. The standard divides them into two types: Type 1 devices with automatic control and Type 2 devices with manual control. They are also divided into four classes based on descent energy.