A new standard will regulate the manufacture of motorcycle helmets

• The certification currently in force, the 22.05 standard, will give way to the 22.06 standard on July 1st.

• Technologically more advanced, more secure, the new helmets will have to undergo much more extensive testing.

• Helmets with the 22.05 standard will still be usable, but no longer manufactured.

  Reassuring news for motorcyclists, given the potential increase in the price of new helmets.

On July 1st, French legislation on motorcycle helmets will change.

As of today, the old ECE 22.05 standard will no longer be the one in force, and will give way to the ECE 22.6 standard.

But what is the difference between the two standards?

What will change for bikers?

sheds light on you.

What does the current standard, 22.05, guarantee?

If the 22.05 standard in force since 2007 is still in force today, it will soon be replaced by a new one: 22.06.

But what does the current standard guarantee?

On a French and even European scale, motorcycle manufacturers and drivers must respect certain rules.

First, all helmets sold must carry a white label, which displays the letter E (for Europe) and a specific number of the country where the approval was received.

They must also have four reflective bands placed in front, behind on the left and on the right, and the chinstrap of the helmet must be correctly fixed.

In terms of solidity, the 22.05 standard guarantees resistance to the projection of two anvils at 27 km/h on all points of impact.

A shock is also carried out at a speed of 7.5 m/s from a height of 3 meters.

A motorcyclist who does not wear a helmet approved to the 22.05 standard is liable to a fixed fine reduced by 90 euros and the withdrawal of 3 points on your driving license, according to article R431-1 of the Highway Code.

Standard 22.06: safer helmets

With the 22.06 standard, the requirements for labels, reflective strips and proper chinstrap closure will remain the same.

On the other hand, “the tests will be reinforced to be more relevant”, affirms Eric Thuillier, president of the French Federation of angry bikers.

To ensure the solidity and protection of the helmets, it will notably undergo three impact tests at different speeds, and no longer has 6 but 18 impact points.

The helmet will have to resist the projection of two anvils, but this time at 215 km/h.

The visor is also impact tested and a sensor will be installed in the helmet to test its abrasion resistance.

If such criteria are put in place, it is also to encourage manufacturers to innovate and make helmets even safer.

“It's a step in the right direction for better safety for motorcyclists,” says Eric Thuillier.

But is it sufficient?

“For the moment, yes, because we can make very specific standards, but financially inaccessible.

This new standard is a good compromise,” he replies.

What changes for bikers?

And so, what about the price?

One can imagine that a technologically more advanced helmet could cost the wallet more.

“The price of approval will increase, and the impact on the sale price may be passed on, according to Eric Thuillier.

On the other hand, this should not become a pretext to increase the price of helmets to the previous standard”.

But what if you have a motorcycle helmet with the 22.05 standard and you had not planned a new purchase?

Don't panic, you won't need to invest in a newer one.

"From July 1, motorcyclists will be able to continue to wear their helmets approved to the 22.5 standard", explains Eric Thuillier.

It will even still be possible to find some in stores.

On the other hand, from January 1, 2024, “the sale of these helmets will be prohibited”, explains Eric Thuillier.

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