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Riding Hat Standards Explained

Modern technology has enabled manufacturers to produce hats which are very strong, lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear. There is however a wide variety of colours, shapes and types to fit every riding discipline, with a similar array of standards to match. Following is an overview of the current standards as well as a summary of those that have now become obsolete and may not therefore be accepted in competition, depending on the discipline. BETA's What to Wear book also has full details of what standard to required for the relevant riding discipline. 

Current standards

BS EN 1384:1997
This standard replaced both the riding hat and jockey skull British Standards. It is exactly the same as EN 1384: 1996 published by the Centre for European Normes in Brussels. This standard may be found prefixed by other initials belonging to the country testing the helmet, e.g. DIN EN 1384:1997. Certain people demand BS EN 1384 because the helmet has been tested in Britain. Though in theory there should be no difference, Germany and Italy have approved helmets that would have failed if tested in Britain. To resolve these differences, a more explicit wording of the standard is being devised.
This European standard is a major leap forward over the previous British standards. Though the height from which helmets are dropped has been reduced, the injury allowed to the brain has been reduced by nearly 40% and bottom edge protection is now required. Chincups have also been banned. All organisations allow this standard to be worn during competitions.

PAS 015:1994
This standard is BSI's enhanced EN 1384 standard and was introduced at the formal request of the BHS following a number of serious accidents. Though it predates BS EN 1384 by nearly 3 years, it provides improved protection to the crown and the intermediate areas which together account for 75% of most general riding impacts. As the test line is lower at the front, it tends to lead to slightly bulkier helmets. Most organisations recommend this level of protection.

PAS 015:1998
With the official publication of EN 1384 certain differences occurred between PAS 015 and EN 1384 which were not foreseen in 1994. This revision removes those differences as well as addressing new areas of protection which were found in most existing PAS 015 models. Namely - crush resistance and prevention of brain injury when landing on an edged surface. Due to initial problems with more rigid, chincupless helmets, a stability test is also included to limit excessive movement during wearing or a fall.

ASTM F 1163
This American standard is the one used by Americans who feel the need for a safety helmet whilst riding (sadly less than 1 in 8 riders). The main reasons for helmets being promoted to this standard are:-

  • helmets are allowed larger ventilation slots
  • helmets are tested using a hazard anvil (now incorporated in PAS 015:1998

The argument about ventilation slots is fiercely debated and revolves around why there are no penetration injuries with existing helmets. Is it because there is a penetration test to simulate branches and sharp objects or is it because there are never any such accidents? Statistics on wearers of this type of helmet are sure to eventually decide this issue.

SNZ indicates the Australian /New Zealand test house.

Obsolete standards

BS 6473: 1984 
Was the standard which replaced the first riding hat standard (BS 3686) and was the standard used for headgear with permanent peaks. 

BS4472:1988
This was the second revision of the standard designed for race jockeys and their headgear called jockey skulls. Both these standards were withdrawn in 1997 and are no longer seen as suitable by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) for employed, self employed and loan schemes, except during competitions run by organisations which allow this standard e.g. Showing and Dressage.

 

The Kitemark
The kitemark is the registered trademark of the British Standards Institute and can only be affixed to products certified by them as meeting the required standard. The standard itself is a public document and can be printed on any product if the manufacturer believes it complies.
The kitemark's guarantee of compliance is backed up by a system of regulation which includes:
  • Design approval
  • An approved Quality Control System of Manufacture
  • A regular audit of helmets produced and the quality system used
  • Testing of representative samples priory to release of the production batch
  • All testing is overseen by BSI

There is always slight variance in materials which can produce differing test results. All manufacturers have occasional test failures which prohibit helmets being released onto the market place and so justifies the expense of regular testing.

BSI Standards
The foundations were laid for the world's first national standards organisation in 1903. This was a voluntary body, formed and maintained by industry, approved and supported by Government for the preparation of technical standards. The need to indicate to buyers that goods were 'up to standard' led to the British Standard Mark - to become known later as the Kitemark. It was first registered as a trade mark for tramway rails. An extension to its activities in 1930 led to a change of name to its current British Standards Institution (BSI).

The first riding hats to hold the Kitemark were seen in 1963. The Technical Committee responsible for agreeing the hat standard is made up of technical representatives, doctors and manufacturers including a BETA representative. The standards are voluntary, manufacturers do not have to pursue them except where Government legislation insists that they do.

Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) 
SEI is an organisation similar to BSI in the USA which was set up to test the claims of manufacturers that their product met the claimed standard. Its system or regulation includes:

  • Design approval
  • Audit testing of product following a complaint and subsequent recall of the defective product if required.

CE Mark 
This mark was introduced to allow government officials a way of ensuring that products entering a European country met the basic safety requirements of Europe.

Its system or regulation includes:

  • Design approval
  • A requirement for a system of quality control by the manufacturer.

Unfortunately it can be only too easy for manufacturers to mark goods which sometimes fall below the required standard. We can see this by the all too frequent recall notices for toys, which has used this system since 1989.

BSI Kitemark