Cospas-Sarsat is an international satellite-based search and rescue (SAR) distress alert detection and information distribution system, established by Canada, France, the United States, and the former Soviet Union in 1979.

It is best known as the system that detects and locates emergency beacons activated by aircraft, ships and backcountry hikers in distress.

On this page on COSPAS/SARSAT website you can find all countries for registration in the IBRD (International Beacon Registration Database). On the link reported below you can find all useful informations for beacon registration: 

LIST OF POINTS FOR BEACON REGISTRATION IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

It is crucial that 406 MHz distress beacons be registered in recognized beacon registration databases which will be accessible to search and rescue authorities at all times.

The information contained in these databases concerning the beacon, its owner, and the vehicle/vessel on which the beacon is mounted is vital for the effective use of Search and Rescue resources.

The proper registration of a beacon could make the difference between success and failure of a search and rescue mission