Contents Menu

Body & Shoulder Protector Standard Explained | Fitting Body Protectors | Approved Manufacturers | Riding Hat Standards Explained | Guide to Riding Hats | Tack Safety

 

  
 

Body and Shoulder Protector Standard Explained

HISTORY

A standard for Body Protectors was conceived by a farsighted manufacturer who was concerned about garments flooding the market which offered little protection. Under BETA's banner a Committee of riding organisations (BHS, Pony Club, Jockey Club and BSJA), doctors and manufacturers was formed, with a riders representative and a retailer joining later. Because of the small number manufactured the BSI were not able to introduce a Standard, so an independent test house was employed. The Standard was agreed by the riding organisations and the medical consultants, with technical advice from RAPRA. 

PREVIOUS STANDARDS & THE CE MARK

Originally the Standard was a 2 tier level of shock absorbency on a scale of 10, most commonly made were Level 5 and Level 7. 
In 1995 the Standard was revised because of the legal requirements of the European Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive which became law on 1 July 1995. This Directive made it illegal to make any PPE which does not carry the CE Mark. The revised Standard offered considerably enhanced performance compared with previous garments. The BETA '95 Standard has now been superseded by the new BETA 2000 Standard which is a performance standard that meets all the all the requirements of EN 13158:2000, otherwise called the European Standard. 
Manufacturing to the BETA 1995 Standard will cease in August 2001 and no further testing to this standard is being carried out. 

 

Having the right equipment for the job is vital for rider safety. The selection and the fitting of the right body protector, riding hat and tack, with the assistance of a qualified BETA retailer, will reduce the risk of injury to both horse and rider.

 

BETA 2000 - CURRENT STANDARD

The BETA 2000 Standard came into force in March 2000 and still insists on annual re-testing of garments to ensure consistency of the Standard, a requirement that is not needed for the European Standard and which sets it apart. The level of protection offered for Level 2 & 3 differs little from the BETA '95 Standard. Level 1 provides significantly less protection than a Level 2 garment as it is designed to meet the weight of licensed jockeys while racing. It is not intended for general horse riding.

LEVELS OF PROTECTION

There are three Levels of protection. The reason for this is that the Directive requires manufacturers to make protectors suitable for different activities and users. 

No Body Protector can prevent serious injury in certain accidents. 

Level 1
Black label		 Protectors providing a lower level of protection that is only considered appropriate for licences jockeys.
Level 2
Brown label		 Protectors providing a lower than normal level of protection that is only 
considered appropriate for use in low risk situations. These DO NOT include riding on roads or other hard surfaces, riding over jumps, riding young or excitable horses, or riding while still inexperienced.
Level 3
Purple label		 Protectors providing a level of protection that is considered appropriate for normal horse riding, competitions and for working with horses. Protectors to this level should:
  • Prevent minor bruising that would have produced stiffness and pain.
  • Reduce significant soft tissue injuries to the level of bruising.
  • Prevent a limited number of rib fractures.

Testing and Registration procedure

Manufacturers wishing to take part in the scheme should contact a Test House and BETA to arrange for type approval testing. 

The manufacturer shall agree with the Test House the sizes of the product that will be supplied for testing and the fee for such testing. A completed Product Examination Form 121 for each model of each product, plus the agreed testing fee, shall be sent to BETA who will then authorise the test house to carry out the testing.

When a garment has been approved the Manufacturer may apply to join the scheme. 
Application shall be made to BETA enclosing the License fee, a signed form of Indemnity 
and an order for Swing tickets and Labels.

Approved garments

The Test House will notify the applicant and BETA of the results of the tests which will remain confidential. BETA will issue a Certificate for approved garments valid for the production run of the product or for one year, whichever is the shorter. The names of certified models and of the Manufacturers will be published in Equestrian Trade News.

Indemnity

All Manufacturers participating in the scheme will be required to sign a form to indemnify BETA in the event of any legal action or claims against them.

Renewal of registration

Samples of all products shall be submitted for re-test annually. The renewal date is July 1st.
Garments may be submitted for testing from 1st May until June 30th. Any garment not tested 
and meeting all requirements at 1st September will be deemed no longer approved.

  • If any alteration is made to the design or construction of a garment during its period of Certification it shall be submitted for re-testing.

Sanctions

Any garment carrying the BETA 2000 label and suspected of being in breach of the Standard 
may be reported to BETA. BETA will notify the Standard Committee of each case reported 
and will warn the manufacturer concerned. No further action will be taken.

If a second report is received on the same garment the Standard Committee will be convened 
and the manufacturer notified. The Standard Committee will be able to call witnesses and the 
manufacturer will have the right to submit evidence. The Standard Committee will arrange 
for testing of the garment. They will do this by purchasing three garments on the open market 
and submitting them to a Test House for test. The cost of this shall be charged to the 
manufacturer. If the garment does not meet the requirements of the standard, BETA will 
issue a press statement notifying the public and the trade that the garment has failed the retest 
and no longer has BETA approval.

The BETA Body Protector General Committee

The Committee shall consist of the following voting members:

The Chairman of the BETA Retail committee
A representative of the Medical Equestrian Association
A representative of each recognised riding organisation
A riders representative
All manufacturers who are current members of the scheme

There shall also be non-voting members including:
Technical representatives from each of the participating test houses and Notified Body who shall be co-opted.
Co-opted members of interested parties.

The Committee shall meet at least once a year.

! Any manufacturer has the right to submit his own point of view to the committee in writing and may request the committee to discuss any relevant topic
! Any manufacturer or other voting member of the committee has the right to request a meeting of the committee.

BETA Standard Committee

A Standard Committee can be convened on the initiative of the Chairman in order to resolve a dispute in the General Committee. The Standard Committee shall consist of :

The Chairman
Two representatives of the recognised riding organisations.
A riders representative.
A medical representative.
A manufacturers representative
A technical representative who will be advisory non voting.

Terms of reference of the BETA Body Protector General Committee

The terms of reference of the committee are that it should monitor the performance of the Standard and advise BETA on changes that should be made to it to bring any other relevant matters to the attention of the BETA Council.

Companies interested in joining the BETA Standard can request a full copy of the BETA Standard which includes details of the testing houses and charges, by contacting Candy Taylor