CE standards for motorcycle helmets

The ECE 22/06 standard

In France, according to article R431-1 of the Highway Code, the wearing of a helmet is mandatory for any driver or passenger of a motorized two-wheeler. Helmets must also be marketed with four reflective stickers, which must be affixed to the front, back and sides of the helmet.

From July 2023, no more helmets can be produced with the 22.05 standard. In July 2027, the marketing of these helmets with the 22.05 standard will end but you will still be able to ride with your helmets.

The ECE 22.06 standard is characterized by a multiplication of tests that are much more advanced than those of the old certification, in particular with helmets hit at low and high speeds. Moreover, the new standard includes 18 impact points against 6 for the old one. The helmets’ ancillary equipment will now also be concerned (external screen, sun screen, peripheral field of vision, etc.).

 

The ECE 22/05 standard

All helmets marketed in Europe must be approved and meet the ECE E22.05 standard issued by the European Economic Commission. The homologation of a helmet is carried out by public or private laboratories.

 

TEST CRITERIA FOR MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

A helmet is certified according to its type, but also according to its resistance to several tests. A helmet approval is based on a large number of tests on each component, the helmet and the visor.


Ecrasement
ecrasement

Abrasion
abrasion

Impact
impact


The helmet is tested on the following criteria:

Shock absorption

Angle of vision

Abrasion resistance

Impact deformation

Screen quality

Restraint system


The visor is also tested on many criteria:

Fields of vision

optical characteristics :
light transmission and diffusion, spectral transmission, refringence réfringence

Mechanical characteristics

Opening angle of the screen

 

CE MARKING OF MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

The CE label must be affixed to the chinstrap

1 : The place of the test: The number after the E indicates the origin of the country of approval.
(1 for Germany, 2 for France, 3 for Italy, 4 for the Netherlands, 5 for Sweden, 6 for Belgium, 7 for Hungary, 8 for Czechoslovakia, 9 for Spain, 10 for Yugoslavia, 12 for Austria, 13 for Luxembourg, 14 for Switzerland, 16 for Norway, 17 for Finland, 18 for Denmark).

2 : The number of the test standard starting with 04 (standard 22-04) or 05 (standard 22-05).
The approval number.

3 : A letter indicates the inclusion of additional tests compared to the 22-04 standard. (Appeared with the regulation 22-05)
   
PJ (projective jet): double approval
   
J (jet)
   
P (protective)

4 : The production number