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European Standards for Motorcycle clothing (PPE)
The European Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive, 1989 requires that any clothing or personal equipment sold as providing protection from injury must comply with the relevant European Standard.
Proof of compliance requires the gear to be independently tested and certified. The manufacturer is then issued with a CE (Conformite Europeen) label which indicates that the item conforms with the relevant European standard.
The item must carry a permanently attached CE label with the number of the Standard. For example boots should be labelled CE EN 13634, where as jackets, pants and suits must be labelled CE EN 13595 and impact protectors are CE EN 1621. The relevant standards are listed below.
EN 13634:2002 Protective footwear for professional motorcycle riders. Requirements and test methods.
EN 13594:2002 Protective gloves for professional motorcycle riders. Requirements and test methods.
EN 1621-1:1998 Motorcyclists' protective clothing against mechanical impact. Requirements and test methods for impact protectors.
EN 1621-2:2003 Motorcyclists' protective clothing against mechanical impact. Motorcyclists back protectors. Requirements and test methods.
EN 1938:1999 Personal eye protection. Goggles for motorcycle and moped users.
- EN 13595-1:2002 Protective clothing for professional motorcycle riders. Jackets, trousers and one piece or divided suits. General requirements.
The following Standards are for the testing methods for jackets, trousers etc. They are included here for interest only.
EN 13595-2:2002 Protective clothing for professional motorcycle riders. Jackets, trousers and one piece or divided suits. Test method for determination of impact abrasion resistance.
EN 13595-3:2002 Protective clothing for professional motorcycle riders. Jackets, trousers and one piece or divided suits. Test method for determination of burst strength.
- EN 13595-4:2002 Protective clothing for professional motorcycle riders. Jackets, trousers and one piece or divided suits. Test methods for the determination of impact cut resistance.
Relevant Australian documents include:
- AS 1609 - 1981 Eye Protection for Motorcyclists and Racing Car Drivers
- Standards Australia (2000), Motorcycle Protective Clothing: Guidelines for Manufacturing, HB 173-2000.