EU tests find 29% of professional helmets fail

EU-funded tests found that 19 of 65 professional safety helmets, or 29 percent, failed key requirements, the European Commission DG GROW said.

The campaign tested helmets for shock absorption, resistance to penetration, flame resistance, chinstrap anchorage and the durability of markings and labels. The Commission said most failures involved shock absorption.

Market surveillance authorities sampled the helmets in Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. The helmets were bought online and in physical stores.

Authorities classified eight of the failed products as serious risk and four as high risk. Six products were withdrawn from the market, two were recalled from consumers and one was placed under a sales ban. Seven warnings were issued to economic operators, and other corrective measures are ongoing.

Eight products were listed on Safety Gate, the EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products. Thirty-nine were registered in the EU information and communication system for market surveillance.

The Commission said professional safety helmets are intended to protect workers in high-risk workplaces and that helmets that have sustained an impact should be discarded, even if no damage is visible.