This part of ISO 6185 specifies the minimum safety characteristics required for the design, materials to use, manufacture and testing of inflatable boats (including rigid inflatable boats) less than 8 m in overall length with a minimum buoyancy of 1 800 N.

This part of ISO 6185 is applicable to the following types of inflatable boats intended for use within the operating temperatures of −20 °C to +60 °C:

• Type VII: Inflatable boats capable of taking a motor power rating of 15 kW and greater;
• Type VIII: Inflatable offshore boats capable of taking a motor power rating of 75 kW or greater and with a stability factor greater than 250.

This part of ISO 6185 excludes single-chambered boats and boats made from unsupported materials, and is not applicable to aquatic toys and inflatable liferafts.