Safeguarding Bikers: Navigating EU Regulations for Motorcyclist Protective Garments

First Published:  
July 2024 

When accidents occur, the only protection available to motorcyclists is the gear they wear. The quality of motorcycle clothing plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of riders on the road.

Due to the importance of how motorcycle clothing protects bikers, strict regulations and standards have been implemented to guarantee the protective quality of these garments within the European Union (EU).

This article explores the regulatory framework governing motorcycle protective clothing in the EU and its testing standards.

Requirements for Selling Motorcyclist Protective Garments in the EU Market

All motorcycle clothing in the EU is classified as Category II Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) under Regulation (EU) 2016/425. This regulation mandates that any clothing or personal equipment marketed as providing protection against injury must comply with the relevant standards to ensure the highest level of safety.

To sell motorcycle protective garments in the EU, they must be tested and certified by a third party to meet specific European Standards (EN). Items that meet these standards will bear the CE marking, indicating compliance with EU regulations.

Main Testing Standards for Motorcyclist PPE in the EU Market

EN 17092 Protective Clothing for Motorcycle Riders

The EN 17092 standard sets out the benchmark for motorcyclists’ protective clothing, covering jackets, trousers, one-piece suits, and two-piece suits.

The standard is divided into six parts, each specifying test methods and general requirements for differing levels of protection:

• EN 17092-1: Test Methods 
  Describes the test methods for protective garments. 
    

• EN 17092-2: Class AAA Garments – Requirements 
  Specifies requirements for Class AAA garments, which offer the highest level of protection. 
    

• EN 17092-3: Class AA Garments – Requirements  
  Specifies requirements for Class AA garments, which are intended for medium-duty protection. 
    

• EN 17092-4: Class A Garments – Requirements 
  Specifies requirements for Class A garments, which are light-duty and designed for the minimum necessary level of protection. 
   

• EN 17092-5: Class B Garments – Requirements 
  Specifies requirements for Class B garments, which are designed to provide the equivalent abrasion protection of Class A garments but without impact protectors. 
   

• EN 17092-6: Class C Garments – Requirements  
  Specifies requirements for Class C garments, which pertain to nonshell, impact protector ensemble garments, designed only to hold one or more impact protectors in place, either as an undergarment or an overgarment. 

EN 1621 Motorcyclists' Protective Clothing Against Mechanical Impact

Additionally, impact protectors are a critical component of protective garments for motorcycle riders, as they absorb impact forces for the users. These protectors are made from materials such as foam or rubber and are specifically designed to protect the users’ elbows, shoulders, hips, chest, back, knees and shins from falls. 

Here are the requirements for different class related to impact protectors: 

• Class A or higher: Impact protectors must be incorporated into the garments.
  
  

• Class B: While not mandated, it is recommended to include impact protectors for users’ shoulders and elbows.
   

• Class C: Impact protectors are not mandated, as garments in this class are designed solely to hold impact protectors.

And here are the relevant testing standards for impact protectors: 

• EN 1621-1: Motorcyclists' protective clothing against mechanical impact - Part 1: Motorcyclists' limb joint impact protectors - Requirements and test methods
  

• EN 1621-2: Motorcyclists' protective clothing against mechanical impact - Part 2: Motorcyclists' back protectors - Requirements and test methods
  

• EN 1621-3: Motorcyclists' protective clothing against mechanical impact — Part 3: Motorcyclists' chest protectors - Requirements and test methods

EN 1621 Motorcyclists' Protective Clothing Against Mechanical Impact

The EN 13594 standard is specific to protective gloves designed for motorcycle riders. It specifies the requirements for the following areas: 

• Innocuousness 

• Ergonomics 

• Sizing and cuff length 

• Restraint 

• Tear strength 

• Seam strength 

• Cut resistance 

• Impact abrasion resistance 

• Impact protection of the knuckles 

This standard includes three performance levels: 

• Level 1 without knuckle protection 

• Level 2 without knuckle protection 

• Level 2 with knuckle protection 

Level 1 is for gloves designed to give protection while having low ergonomic penalties, and level 2 is for gloves providing greater protection than level 1.

EN 13634 Motorcycle Riders’ Protective Footwear - Requirements and Test Methods

Protective footwear for motorcycle riders is covered under the EN 13634 standard, encompassing the following crucial aspects: 

• Ergonomics 

• Hydrolisis (PU) 

• Transverse rigidity 

• pH value 

• Chrome VI 

• Abrasion resistance 

• Colourfastness to water 

• Impact cut resistance 

• Tear strength 

How can the Eurofins Softlines & Leather network of laboratories help?

In addition to having an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory to perform the vast majority of the necessary tests, Eurofins Textile & Footwear Testing Spain is accredited as Notified Body No. 2865 under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 to issue CE type-certification of protective clothing, gloves, footwear and impact protectors for motorcycle riders.  

Our experts ensure a seamless CE marking application procedure for every manufacturer, importer and exporter. The team can offer essential technical and regulatory support throughout the process to ensure an accurate application procedure, leading up to the CE marking. 

Find out more on Eurofins Testing & Certification for Protective Clothing for Motorcyclists or contact us directly.