The European helmet safety standard - ECE R22.05 is history. In one years it will be replaced by a new, much more severe ECE R22.06.

The European helmet safety standard - ECE R22.05 is history. In one years it will be replaced by a new, much more severe ECE R22.06.The ECE R22.05 standard was adopted in 2000 to normalize the requirements for motorcycle helmets in the various markets where these helmets are sold. Earlier, similar standards existed, but it was only R22.05 that became the universal one, recognized by 62 countries, therefore not only in Europe.In December 2017, the United Nations Global Road Safety Partnership organization began the process of developing a new standard - ECE R22.06. It's no secret that guidelines and definitions are already developed, it's just about formalizing the new standard.What's new in ECE R22.06The R22.05 standard developed 18 years ago did not include solutions that were not available on the market at the time, such as modular helmets, integrated communication systems and some types of sunblinds.New elements will be added to existing elements of the approval test, which will take into account current requirements. The five anvil impact points that are functioning in the current test (front, top, back, side, chin) will have four more (or six) depending on the type of helmet and approval granted.Read more about helmet certificatesThis means that the new test procedure will be similar to the one used by the SNELL organization, recognized as the issuer of the most reliable helmet safety certificates.The new standard will expand the range of impact resistance. According to R22.06, the helmet will have to withstand the impact of an anvil dropped from a height of 5.5 meters and 8.5 meters. Until now, this value was 7.5 meters.Head rotationA complete novelty will be the test of resistance to rotational acceleration, i.e. a situation in which the helmet in an accident rotates, hooking the details of the shell with elements of road infrastructure (for example, a curb). To test this feature, a magnesium head cast covered with material imitating human skin, with 9 accelerometers and angular velocity sensors mounted.The new R22.06 standard will also sanction the so-called double approvals, i.e. the possibility of using helmets with open or closed jaws. In practice, this means that the full-face helmets will be fully tested in both options.Novum will also examine helmets for their safe use with an integrated intercom. However, details on the procedures for such tests have still not been disclosed.