Update to helmet standards
EA is updating its helmet standards in light of the recent changes to the FEI standards:
EN1384:2023 with a quality testing label is now an approved standard and will be added to the list of approved standards and published on the website.
VG1 remains approved by the FEI but only with a quality testing label (eg BSI Kitemark).
The BSI kitemark (or other similar quality testing labels) indicate that as well as having originally met the specified standard the product must have passed quality testing (quality testing monitors the ongoing quality of the product according to the original standard).
EA recognises that members may have purchased products allowable under the previous EA standards list which accepted VG1 without a quality testing label. As lack of ongoing quality testing does not necessarily mean that a product will not meet the original standard, EA will continue to accept existing yellow-tagged helmets and will yellow-tag any as yet untagged helmets with this standard up until 31 December 2026.
From 1 January 2027 a new tag (of a different colour) will be required to indicate compliance with the updated standards and a progressive system of retagging existing helmets that meet the updated standards will be introduced during 2026. More information will be provided prior to the roll out of the new tags.
The objective of the helmet standards is to ensure that our members can easily identify helmets that will provide them with the best protection that current research suggests. The tag is to assist event officials in identifying helmets that are manufactured to the correct standard.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding the above, please email [email protected].
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