Impact Protection

Personal Protective Equipment PPE directive (89/686/EEC)

Personal Protective Equipment can be defined ‘any device to be worn or held by users for protection against one or more health and safety hazards’.  To meet legislation requirements, PPE manufacturers must ensure their products conform to the relevant National, European or International Standard or Technical specification.

PPE directive classification:

• Simple – products for use with minimal hazard, and where end user determines the risk.
  Self-certification by manufacturer
• Complex – Products that protect against mortal danger or can be seriously harmful to health.
  CE type examination conducted by notified body
• Intermediate – Products that fall into neither of the categories.
  CE type examination conducted by notified body

BSI can offer:

The majority of PPE products require the CE mark.  BSI can also offer the Kitemark – which helps the consumer to identify quality products that meet or exceed the industry standards.

Head protection covers a wide range of products. This ranges from a basic impact helmet such as used by a pedal cyclist, to a sophisticated helmet with integrated respiratory and communications equipment so that the helmet becomes a multi-function device rather than simple protection. The introduction of more stringent standards and improved testing methods means that helmets are now more comfortable for the wearer, a lighter weight construction and improved hygiene.

For legal road use all helmets and visors must be certified s specified by the Road Traffic Act (see Regulation 22.05, BS 6658, BS EN 4110:1999). As one of the world’s leading test laboratories in protective headwear, BSI is accepted as a technical service provider for the Vehicle Certification Agency, the UK approval authority for Regulation 22.05.

In addition, BSI is the UK test authority for Standards Australia Quality Assessment Systems for vehicle user helmets and visors to AS 1698 and AS 1609 respectively.

In a lot of cases, BSI has reciprocal agreements with many countries worldwide. Kitemark certification is also available for vehicle user helmets.

UN ECE Regulation 22.05
Protective Helmets for drivers and passengers of mopeds and motor cycles with or without side-car and for visors fitted to such helmets or intended to be added to them.
BS 6658: 1985
Protective Helmets for Vehicle Users
BS EN 4110: 1999
Visors for Vehicle Users
BS EN 1078:1997
Helmets for Pedal Cyclists and for users of Skateboards and Roller Skates
BS EN 397: 1995
Industrial Safety Helmets
BS EN 812: 1998
Industrial Bump Caps
PAS 017: 1995
Riot Helmets for Police Use
PAS 028: 2002
Marine Safety Helmets

Sports Helmets

The sports market is becoming increasingly global, with national and international regulations that manufacturers need to comply with, as well as individual regulations designated by the relevant Governing Bodies. BSI can help with all aspects of testing sports products that protect everyone from world champions to amateur enthusiasts, thrill seekers and future protégés alike!

BSI supports manufacturers of both novel and established sports goods, our client portfolio covers a complete cross
section of sports manufacturing, from large multinational corporations to small ventures covering such sports as Cycling, Rugby, Cricket, Motorsports, Equestrian and more.

Our reputation for high standards is such, that the British Equestrian Federation and the Pony Club will only allow riders to take part in an equestrian event if they are wearing a Kitemark Helmet.

BSI offer testing for the following standards:

BS EN 7928: 1998
Head Protectors for Cricketers
BS EN 1384: 1997
Helmets for Equestrian Activities
PAS 015: 1998
Equestrian Helmets
BS EN 966:1996
Helmets for Airborne Sports
BS EN 1077: 2007
Helmets for Alpine Skiers and Snowboarders

Impact Protection: Body Armour

Everybody at some time in their life will require protection from the potential of injury. When a product is called into action that saves, limbs, vital organs and other body parts knowing that the product has been tested to conventional limits means everything.

BSI Impact Protection Laboratory tests a wide range of protective products for the body, whether work or sport/leisure related.

BSI certification includes:

• Knee and elbow pads (Motorcycling)
• Knee and elbow pads (Sport)
• Gaiters and protective footwear
• Rugby clothing
• Cricket boxes
• Football shin pads

BS EN 1177: 1998
Impact absorbing Playground Surfacing
IRB/REG12/Iss 1/2005
Specific items for Rugby Players’ Clothing (headgear, shoulder padding & banned items)