TABLE
- A. PREAMBLE
- B. DEFINITIONS
- C. GOVERNANCE
- D. CODE OF CONDUCT
- E. MEASUREMENT
- F. ENFORCEMENT AND TERMINATION
- G. EFFECTIVE DATE
- H. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
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A. PREAMBLE
A.1 The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish clear and ethical standards for all Measurers for the F18 Class.
A.2 Measurers play a critical role in ensuring fair and equitable competition by enforcing the Class Rules.
A.3 The International Formula 18 Class Association (IF18CA) operates under the auspices of World Sailing.
A.4 The IF18CA has established a Self-Certification process for F18 boat builders and sailmakers.
A.5 The IF18CA desires to make purchasing an F18 boat and its sails easier for the sailors of the class so that the equipment arrives certified to meet the current Class Rules with all the required Certifications Marks and ready to race. The Self-Certification process facilitates this, and as a result is highly beneficial to F18 owners, manufacturers and the IF18CA. Therefore, the integrity of this process is paramount.
A.6 This code outlines the behavior and responsibilities expected of all Measurers, including those Measurers conducting Self-Certification.
B. DEFINITIONS
Certification Mark
A serialized sticker issued by the IF18CA attached to the equipment and sails which indicate that the item is certified. The serial number is the identifier in the Certification Database.
There are three shapes of stickers:
– Sails: Pink circular stickers with a serial number
– Hulls: Clear circular stickers with F18 Logo with a serial number
– Equipment: Small rectangular white stickers with a serial number
Certification Database
An on-line database accessible via the IF18CA website which contains all the certification data associated with each Certification Mark.
The key for a boat’s certificate is the World Sailing Plaque number (formerly ISAF) attached to the stern of each hull.
Access to the database is at: http://certificate.f18-international.org/
Class Rules
The current rules which govern the management of the Formula 18 Class published by World Sailing which are located on-line at: https://www.sailing.org/classes/formula-18/#Documents
ERS
Equipment Rules of Sailing published by World Sailing located on-line at: https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sailing/rules-regulations/equipment-rules-of-sailing/
First Article
The first boat, sail or other equipment manufactured with new design parameters.
F18 Circle Logo
A white circular sticker approximately 35 cm in diameter with the F18 logo in black to be affixed on the starboard side of each mainsail. This logo can be purchased from IF18CA using the number stickers ordering form or be produced using the graphics data located at: https://www.f18-international.org/technical/official-f18-logos/
F18 Class Insignia
The F18 class logo that is placed above the country letters on the starboard side of the mainsail. The graphics data to produce this insignia are available at: https://www.f18-international.org/technical/official-f18-logos/
IF18CA
International Formula 18 Class Association
IF18CA Measurement Regulations
Instructions for certification control in as far these are not covered by the ERS or the Class Rules, published by the IF18CA on its official website at: https://www.f18-international.org/technical/measurement-tutorials/
These instructions may refer to the IMM.
IMM
International Measurers Manual published by World Sailing located on-line at: https://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/IMManual2017-%5B21963%5D.pdf
Measurer
A person appointed or recognised by the IF18CA to certify F18 boats, sails and other equipment. This includes persons performing Self-Certification. All Measurers are listed in the Certification Database.
Self-Certification
Certification by a person for whom the IF18CA has waived ERS H.1.1 and thus who is allowed to certify an F18 boat, sail and/or other equipment, which is designed or built by that person, or in which that person is an interested party, or has a vested interest.
World Sailing Plaque
A serialize sticker supplied to IF18CA by World Sailing to uniquely identify boats. One plaque is affixed to each F18 hull with the same serial number. Boat manufacturers purchase the WS Plaques from IF18CA.
C. GOVERNANCE
C.1 The certification authority of the class is the IF18CA (see Class Rule A.3.1). The IF18CA, in its capacity as certification authority, acts as the official body for certification control of F18 boats, sails, spars and other equipment items, and ensures that the ERS, the Class Rules and the IF18CA Measurement Regulations are properly applied when certifying equipment.
C.2 ERS Section H describes the rules governing certification and other equipment control. Certification control shall be carried out in accordance with the ERS except where variations are specified in the Class Rules (see Class Rule preamble Part II).
C.3 The documentary proof of successful certification control of F18 equipment and underlying certification documentation (see Class Rule A.14.1) is by way of recording in the Certification Database.
C.4 The IF18CA has the authority to certify. The IF18CA may delegate its authority to certify to a Measurer (see Class Rule A.3.2). A Measurer certifies equipment on behalf of the IF18CA.
C.5 The IF18CA may waive ERS H.1.1, as decided in the IF18CA World Council Annual Meetings of 2021 and 2023, to allow Self-Certification.
D. CODE OF CONDUCT
D.1 Integrity and Impartiality
D.1.1 Act with integrity: Measurers must act with the highest level of integrity and honesty. This means performing all duties in a truthful and open manner.
D.1.2 Remain impartial: Measurers must make all decisions objectively, without prejudice or bias. Measurers must not be influenced by personal relationships, friendships, club affiliations with competitors, or other conflicts of interest.
D.1.3 Conflicts of interest: Measurers must declare any conflict of interest as described in
ERS H.1.1.
D.2 Competence and Diligence
D.2.1 Maintain up-to-date knowledge: Amendments are made to the ERS, Class Rules and IF18CA Measurement Regulations on a periodic basis. Measurers must stay informed about and always perform measurements according to the current rules in force on the date of certification. This includes reviewing all rules and regulations amendments and attending regularly training sessions.
D.2.2 Be thorough: All measurements must be performed with meticulous care and precision, following the prescribed rules and procedures exactly. No step should be skipped or rushed.
D.2.3 Be diligent: Measurers are responsible for ensuring that all paperwork and documentation related to their measurements are completed accurately and submitted and/or entered into the Certification Database in a timely fashion.
D.3 Respect and Professionalism
D.3.1 Treat everyone with respect: Measurers must treat all competitors, officials, volunteers, and spectators with courtesy and respect. This includes being approachable and patient when discussing a measurement with a competitor.
D.3.2 Communicate clearly: All interactions and communications should be clear, concise, and professional. When explaining a measurement decision, Measurers should refer to the specific rule or regulation in question.
D.4 Ethical Responsibility
D.4.1 Protect the sport’s reputation: Measurers must conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the integrity and reputation of the sport of sailing. Any behavior that brings the sport or F18 Class into disrepute is unacceptable.
D.4.2 Reject improper influence: Measurers must never accept gifts, favors, or other benefits from competitors that could be perceived as influencing their professional judgment. Measurers may accept a reasonable standard fee for the measurement service.
D.4.3 Respect confidentiality: Not disclose agreed upon confidential information to unauthorized parties except for information required to populate the Certification Database.
D.4.4 Avoid intimidation: Measurers must not engage in intimidating, demeaning, or threatening behavior toward competitors or other officials.
D.5 Enforcement and Compliance
D.5.1 Address rule infringements: If a Measurer identifies a potential rule infringement, it is their duty to notify the IF18CA or event officials as soon as practicable.
D.5.2 Comply with regulations: All Measurers must adhere to this Code of Conduct, as well as all applicable rules and regulations set forth by the governing body (e.g., World Sailing, IF18CA or their National F18 Class Association (NCA)).
D.5.3 Report misconduct: If a Measurer observes another Measurer, official or competitor violating this code or the rules, they have a responsibility to report it through the appropriate channels (IF18CA or their NCA).
D.6 Conflict Resolution
D.6.1 Handle disputes fairly: In the event of a dispute over a measurement, Measurers must follow the proper protest or appeal procedures. They should explain the process to the competitor and remain professional throughout the resolution.
E. MEASUREMENT
E.1 Certification – Boats and Equipment
E.1.1 A new design of an F18 boat or F18 equipment item, the First Article, cannot be certified by way of Self-Certification.
E.1.2 If a manufacturer is deemed by the IF18CA to have a manufacturing process that ensures consistency of the key metrics of the product including dimensions, material, and weights, certification can be performed based on the First Article measurements except for boat weight, and no further measurements, except boat weight, need to be taken.
E.2 Certification – Sails
E.2.1 A new sail design, the First Article, can be certified by way of Self-Certification.
E.2.2 If a manufacturer is deemed by the IF18CA to have a sailmaking process that ensures consistency of the product dimensions, weight and material, certification can be performed based on the First Article measurements and no further measurements need to be taken.
E.3 Certification Database
E.3.1 Candidate Measurers shall attend training on the IF18CA measurement processes and the Certification Database.
E.3.2 Once appointed or recognised as such, the IF18CA shall provide the Measurer with security access to the Certification Database.
E.3.3 Measurers shall strictly maintain the confidentiality of their Certification Database access codes.
E.3.4 Measurers shall record a certification in the Certification Database within five days after affixing a Certification Mark.
E.3.5 The IF18CA undertakes to resolve any Certification Database technical issues reported in a timely manner.
E.4 Certification Mark, Mainsail F18 Logos and World Sailing Plaque
E.4.1 Measurers shall purchase Certification Marks and WS Plaques from the IF18CA using the order form located on the IF18CA Website.
E.4.2 Certification Marks and WS Plaques are serialized for unique identification and tracking purposes. Measurers shall only affix Certification Marks and WS Plaques directly supplied to them by the IF18CA. Measurers are not allowed to forward or distribute otherwise Certification Marks or WS plaques to other Measurers or other parties.
E.4.3 Measurers shall affix Certification Mark, F18 Circle Logo and WS Plaque stickers as stipulated in the Class Rules Appendix B2, before delivery of the item to the customer.
E.4.4 Measurers shall verify that the F18 Class Insignia is on the starboard side of the mainsail in accordance with Class Rules section G.3.1(a).
E.4.5 Measurers are not allowed to delegate the affixing of Certification Marks, F18 Circle Logo and WS Plaques.
E.5 Questions Regarding Certification Control
E.5.1 If a Measurer is in any doubt as to the application of, or compliance with, ERS, the Class Rules or the IF18CA Measurement Regulations, the question shall be referred to the IF18CA as soon as possible and in any event before recording a certificate in the Certification Database or applying a Certification Mark (see ERS H.1.2).
E.6 Personal Use
E.6.1 A Measurer is not allowed to race with equipment that they have certified.
E.7 Equipment Inspection
E.7.1 Certified equipment may be subject to event equipment inspection carried out by a person appointed by the technical committee or by the IF18CA.
F. ENFORCEMENT AND TERMINATION
F.1 Termination
F.1.1 IF18CA reserves the right to remove a Measurer’s authority at any time for any reason with written notice.
F.1.2 A Measurer may withdraw at any time with prior notification to the IF18CA. The IF18CA will then terminate the security access of the Measurer to the Certification Database and remove their name from the list of Measurers in the Certification Database.
F.1.3 Upon a Measurers withdrawal or removal:
- Security access to the Database will be revoked.
- Measurers name will be removed from the List of Measurers on the website.
- All purchased Certification Marks not utilized must be returned to IF18CA for a full refund.
G. EFFECTIVE DATE
G.1 For sections E1 (Certification-Boats and Equipment), E2 (Certification-Sails) and E6 (Personal Use), these requirements apply to equipment and sails certified after March 1, 2026.
H. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
H.1 Any of the following actions signify that a person accepts the role of Measurer for the Formula 18 Class, and acknowledges that they have read, understand and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.
– signing a Code of Conduct document below;
– ordering/purchasing Certification Marks from the IF18CA;
– entering certification data into the Certification Database.
H.2 I understand that failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or removal from my duties.
___________________________________ _________________
Signature Date
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Printed Name Manufacturer Company (if applicable)