• CE certification

  • CE certification

  • CE certification

  • CE certification

What does it mean and why should you pay attention to it? Here we would like to give you an overview of the regulations and what they mean.

CERTIFICATION OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

According to Regulation (EU) 2016/425, motorbike protective clothing falls under “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE) and is tested and certified according to the respective EN standards by an accredited testing institute

If a product from a certain category passes the test procedures of an accredited testing institute, the standard is considered to be fulfilled and the product is considered to be safe for this particular application. This is the prerequisite for the product to be awarded the CE mark (European conformity). Within the standards, a distinction is made between different protection classes, whereby the general rule is: the higher the level/class, the better the protection.

The following standards are relevant in the certification of personal protective equipment for motorcyclists:

  • EN 1150:1999 – High-visibility warning clothing for non-professional use.
  • EN 20471:2013 – Standard for high-visibility warning clothing
  • EN 17092:2020 – Standard for motorcycle protective clothing
  • EN 1621-1:2012 –Standard for articulated protectors
  • EN 1621-2:2014 – Standard for back protectors
  • EN 13594:2015 – Standard for motorcycle gloves
  • ECE 22.05 – Standard for motorcycle helmets
  • EN 13634:2017 – Standard for protective footwear for motorcyclists when riding motorcycles on and off road

Example of marking according to EN 17092:2020

The following standards are relevant in the certification of personal protective equipment for motorcyclists:

  • EN 1150:1999 – High-visibility warning clothing for non-professional use.
  • EN 20471:2013 – Standard for high-visibility warning clothing
  • EN 17092:2020 – Standard for motorcycle protective clothing
  • EN 1621-1:2012 –Standard for articulated protectors
  • EN 1621-2:2014 – Standard for back protectors
  • EN 13594:2015 – Standard for motorcycle gloves
  • ECE 22.05 – Standard for motorcycle helmets
  • EN 13634:2017 – Standard for protective footwear for motorcyclists when riding motorcycles on and off road

Example of marking according to EN 17092:2020

MOTORCYCLE CLOTHING

What are protective classes and what are they?

When testing motorcycle protective clothing, it is divided into different classes – depending on its area of use. This means, for example, that a sporty and tight-fitting leather suit with large protection zones has losses in the area of comfort and suitability for everyday use according to class AAA and the corresponding requirements.

MOTORCYCLE CLOTHING

WHAT ARE PROTECTIVE CLASSES AND WHAT ARE THEY?

When testing motorcycle protective clothing, it is divided into different classes – depending on its area of use. This means, for example, that a sporty and tight-fitting leather suit with large protection zones has losses in the area of comfort and suitability for everyday use according to class AAA and the corresponding requirements.

The 5 protection classes of EN 17092:2020

EN 17092:2020 is the standard for motorcycle protective clothing and provides for five protection classes. The rule here is that higher protection is usually accompanied by trade-offs in the areas of weight, ergonomics and heat stress, while lower protection means that protective clothing can be manufactured to provide better comfort and use more functional elements such as air-permeable mesh fabrics.

  • Passive and/or active protection against impact and passive protection against abrasion
  • Passive and/or active protection against impact and passive protection against abrasion
  • Reduced ergonomics and weight
  • Passive and/or active protection against impact and passive protection against abrasion
  • Minimal compromises in ergonomics and weight
  • Provides protection against abrasion, but does not have impact protectors
  • Additional impact protectors should be worn on shoulders, elbows and knees to ensure a comprehensive minimum level of protection
  • Refers to special motorcycle suits with impact protectors and without a shell, designed only to hold one or more impact protectors in place and serve as undergarments or outer garments
  • Are intended to provide protection against impact at the points where impact protectors are used
  • Do not provide minimum comprehensive protection against abrasion or minimum comprehensive protection against impact and should be worn in conjunction with Class AAA, AA, A, or B protective clothing

Risk categories

The basis for the assessment is the defined risk category areas. For this purpose, the human body is divided into three zones, measured by the risk of injury to the respective body parts. Joints such as the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are at greatest risk of injury. The outer sides of the arms and legs and the back are at moderate risk, and the inner sides of the arms, the backs of the legs, and the chest and abdominal areas are the least susceptible to injury.

RISK CATEGORIES

The basis for the assessment is the defined risk category areas. For this purpose, the human body is divided into three zones, measured by the risk of injury to the respective body parts. Joints such as the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are at greatest risk of injury. The outer sides of the arms and legs and the back are at moderate risk, and the inner sides of the arms, the backs of the legs, and the chest and abdominal areas are the least susceptible to injury.

ZONE 1

Areas of protective clothing that are at high risk for damage such as impact, abrasion and tearing.

ZONE 2

Areas of protective clothing that have a moderate risk of damage such as impact and tearing.

ZONE 3

Areas of protective clothing that have a low risk of damage such as impact and tearing.

ZONE 1

Areas of protective clothing that are at high risk for damage such as impact, abrasion and tearing.

ZONE 2

Areas of protective clothing that have a moderate risk of damage such as impact and tearing.

ZONE 3

Areas of protective clothing that have a low risk of damage such as impact and tearing.

Areas of protective clothing that are at high risk for damage such as impact, abrasion and tearing.

Areas of protective clothing that have a moderate risk of damage such as impact and tearing.

Areas of protective clothing that have a low risk of damage such as impact and tearing.

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Test procedure

TEST PROCEDURE

The visual and tactile inspection ensures that:

  • the protector pocket and adjustment and fastening systems are in the correct position in the garment,
  • the protectors are in the correct places on the body and in the correct position in the garment,
  • the protector pockets are not too large and do not allow excessive movement of the protectors, and
  • protectors attached by other means cannot move excessively.
Visual & Tactile Testing
Impact abrasion resistance
Darmstadt - Machine
Seam strength
Tensile strength
Cones - Test
Visual & Tactile Testing
Impact abrasion resistance
Darmstadt - Machine
Seam strength
Tensile strength
Cones - Test

Joint & Back Protectors

The most important aspect of any type of protector is shock absorption.

When testing the shock absorption properties, a cylindrical body with a mass of 5 kg is dropped from a height of one meter onto the protector, which rests on a hemispherical anvil with an integrated force transducer. This constellation is intended to simulate the impact of a body part protected by a protector on a curb.

JOINT & BACK PROTECTORS

The most important aspect of any type of protector is shock absorption.

When testing the shock absorption properties, a cylindrical body with a mass of 5 kg is dropped from a height of one meter onto the protector, which rests on a hemispherical anvil with an integrated force transducer. This constellation is intended to simulate the impact of a body part protected by a protector on a curb.

When testing joint protectors according to the EN-1621-1:2012 standard, 3 impacts are performed on the protector. Two protection classes are tested. The class in which a protector is to be tested is at the discretion of the manufacturer.

The average residual force measured by the force transducer after impact must not exceed 35 kN for Level 1 articulated protectors, and no single impact must exceed 35 kN in Area A or 50 kN in Area B.

For Level 2 articulated protectors, the maximum permissible values of the average residual force are 20 kN and for a single impact 20 kN in range A and 30 kN in ranges B and C, respectively.

The certification of back protectors according to the EN 1621-2:2014 standard follows a similar procedure.

Unlike the 3 impacts that occur when testing articulated protectors, back protectors require 5 impacts. These must be in the cross-shaped, so-called minimum protection zone, which is calculated from the waist-shoulder distance of the protector.

3 of the 5 impacts are clearly defined, 2 individual impacts must be performed by the testing institute on potential weak points within the marked protection zone.

In the test, as in the testing of articulated protectors, two protection classes are tested. For a Level 1 back protector, the average residual force must not exceed 18 kN, and the residual force of a single impact must not exceed 24 kN. The maximum permissible values for Level 2 protectors are 9 kN average residual force and 12 kN for a single impact.

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Motorbike gloves

Motorbike gloves are a particularly important part of comprehensive protective equipment. Approved motorbike gloves provide protection from environmental conditions without compromising the user’s dexterity when operating the motorbike’s controls and controls. The primary areas to be protected in the event of a fall are the fingers, palms, and wrists.

All Held motorbike gloves with CE mark are classified as “Personal Protective Equipment” according to Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and have been certified at an accredited testing institute based on EN 13594:2015. Within the standard, the protection classes Level 1 and Level 2 exist. The overall protection class is determined by the following factors: Adjustment system, tear resistance, seam strength, cut resistance, abrasion resistance, standard sizes, gauntlet length, dexterity, and knuckle protector.

Motorbike gloves

Motorbike gloves

Motorbike gloves are a particularly important part of comprehensive protective equipment. Approved motorbike gloves provide protection from environmental conditions without compromising the user’s dexterity when operating the motorbike’s controls and controls. The primary areas to be protected in the event of a fall are the fingers, palms, and wrists.

All Held motorbike gloves with CE mark are classified as “Personal Protective Equipment” according to Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and have been certified at an accredited testing institute based on EN 13594:2015. Within the standard, the protection classes Level 1 and Level 2 exist. The overall protection class is determined by the following factors: Adjustment system, tear resistance, seam strength, cut resistance, abrasion resistance, standard sizes, gauntlet length, dexterity, and knuckle protector.

Motorbike boots

EN 13634:2017 is named “Standard for protective footwear for motorcyclists when riding motorbikes on and off road”. Motorbike boots are used to protect against environmental conditions and injuries in the event of falls and must meet the following requirements when tested: Protective function, ergonomic properties, harmlessness and mechanical properties. In addition, motorbike boots, just like any other certified “personal protective equipment”, are subject to compulsory labelling.

The classification into the respective level is based on the test for height of the shoe upper, transverse stiffness, abrasion resistance and cut resistance.

The test area consists of two zones, where in area A there is a moderate risk of injury, in area B, there is a high risk. Therefore, in zone A, abrasion-resistant materials should be used; in zone B, highly abrasion-resistant materials and protectors are needed.

Motorbike boots

EN 13634:2017 is named “Standard for protective footwear for motorcyclists when riding motorbikes on and off road”. Motorbike boots are used to protect against environmental conditions and injuries in the event of falls and must meet the following requirements when tested: Protective function, ergonomic properties, harmlessness and mechanical properties. In addition, motorbike boots, just like any other certified “personal protective equipment”, are subject to compulsory labelling.

The classification into the respective level is based on the test for height of the shoe upper, transverse stiffness, abrasion resistance and cut resistance.

The test area consists of two zones, where in area A there is a moderate risk of injury, in area B, there is a high risk. Therefore, in zone A, abrasion-resistant materials should be used; in zone B, highly abrasion-resistant materials and protectors are needed.

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Questions about our products?

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QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS?

You can also find all information in the Held App

Or check out our social media pages