Since 1973, when helmets became compulsory for motorcyclists, the quality and reliability of helmets have come a long way. The new ECE 22.06 standard takes safety to a new level. The new standard regulates the manufacture of motorcycle helmets, further enhancing their protection. Over and above the design process, the results will be verified by new, more comprehensive and more demanding tests, which will take place at different speeds and from new angles. The aim, of course, is to further reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to motorcyclists in the event of a fall or accident with a third party.
Current standards
Numerous standards already exist for helmets to be approved. Otherwise, you risk a fourth-category fine ranging from €90 to €375 and a deduction of three points from your driving license. In addition, your motorcycle may be immobilized by the police, forcing you to leave on foot ! Finally, in the event of a fall or accident, your insurance company may legally lower the amount or refuse to compensate you at all.
Certification labels
Helmets sold on the European market must bear a white label sewn onto the chinstrap. The letter E stands for Europe, followed by the number representing the country in which the helmet has been approved. For France, this is number 2.
Reflective strips
When it comes to standards, France is always a champion at piling them up. It has therefore imposed an additional standard that only applies in France : mandatory reflective strips on helmets.
Every helmet in France must bear 4 reflective stripes : front + back + 2 sides. When you buy your helmet, the vendor is obliged to supply them separately, free of charge, at no extra cost to you. You can ask the seller to affix them, or you can do it yourself, if you prefer to adjust the positions as you see fit.
If you have a black or dark-colored helmet and you don't want to add too many flashy stickers, there are black reflective stickers. They're much more discreet, but just as effective when it comes to reflecting light.
It's rare to be fined for missing stickers, but it's legal. Once again, you risk losing 3 points on your driving license, as well as a fourth-class fine. What's more, given that it's possible to be ticketed for not wearing a helmet by video tagging, it's conceivable that cameras could prove that you don't have reflective strips. You could then be ticketed remotely. It may seem improbable, but some cities, which consider motorists and motorcyclists as pests, should not hesitate to take action soon.
The helmet fastening system
You are required to wear a helmet, but since January 2006 you are also obliged to fasten it with the chinstrap. If you don't comply with the law, you risk a fine of €135 and the loss of all three points on your driving license.
Apart from the fine, wearing a helmet without fastening it makes no sense. In the event of an impact, it will fly off, leaving your head and neck unprotected.
So much for your current obligations. Now let's take a look at what's about to change.
The new ECE 22.06 standard for motorcycle helmets
The new European ECE 22.06 certification dates from June 2020. Its aim is to reinforce helmets' protective capacity. It is the successor to European standard ECE 22.05, and aims to improve on it. Manufacturers have until June 2023 to comply.
After this date, older models can no longer be manufactured or sold. It remains to be seen whether, after June 2023, a motorcyclist wearing a helmet that only complies with the European ECE 22.05 standard will be liable to fines and penalties.
This point is all the more important given the insurance implications. If you are not wearing an approved helmet today, your insurance company may refuse to compensate you for all or part of your claim. It's important to know what will happen when the transition from ECE 22.05 to ECE 22.06 takes place.
What does ECE 22.06 change?
The ECE 22.06 standard applied to hulls
The new standard is more demanding, with more extreme tests. Tests are carried out at higher speeds, more varied angles and greater heights.
- The existing linear impact tests are supplemented by oblique impact tests. These are closer to the reality of impacts in a real accident.
- Helmets are now subjected to both low- and high-speed impacts.
- During the tests, additional sensors inside the helmet provide a better understanding of the energy transmitted to the head, and a more accurate measure of the cranial and brain damage incurred.
- Modular helmets are tested in both closed and open chinstrap configurations.
- Abrasion resistance is added, as is already the case for leather and textile equipment.
ECE 22.06 standard applied to the screen
Not only the shell is now tested, but also the screen. For your helmet to be approved, the whole assembly - shell + visor - must comply with the new standard.
- Shields must withstand standard impacts : a steel ball thrown at 60 meters per second (i.e. 216 km/h) against the shield must not deform, break or detach the shield from the helmet.
- Secondary sun shields must not restrict the peripheral field of vision, with a minimum accepted angle of 105°.
- The same internal sun shields must not prevent the main shield from closing.
- External smoked screens may be darker than in the past, with a minimum transparency of 35%, as opposed to 50% for ECE 22.05. In this case, they must bear a notice specifying that they may only be used during the day.
- Photochromic visors that change tint automatically according to brightness undergo a test using the maximum tint level.
ECE 22.06 : good or bad news?
We're delighted that safety for motorcyclists has been improved. However, the " side effects " of this new standard have yet to be defined.
Heavy helmets
Either the polystyrene caps and shells are reinforced, and the helmet becomes a heavier, bulkier version of the ECE 22.05 standard, or the manufacturers find new tricks, with new materials, and the helmet becomes lighter and less bulky.
The second hypothesis is the more interesting, since a lighter helmet loses inertial force and gains in protection, whereas a heavier helmet weighs more on the cervical spine and the inertial force increases, implying less protection.
The price of a helmet
In both cases, the operation will be unfavorable for the biker's wallet. Manufacturers need to rethink helmet design as a whole. This involves studies by technicians and engineers, the renewal of helmet molds, and more complex and time-consuming tests.
So you can already anticipate a rise in helmet prices.
