PPE – FIM Public Affairs

Europe – FIM – Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme – Public Affairs attended and presented at the European Seminar on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to highlight needs of riders for new motorcycle clothing.

In our search around on the issues we missed this January report, were FIM & FIM Europe Director of Public Affairs John Chatterton-Ross, explained the development of the existing CEN (CE) standard and the new provisional standard for PPE which will run in parallel for the next few years.

This is an issue that again stirs up misconception that motorcycle clothing is about to be made compulsory for riders whilst traveling on public roads and somehow this is a “new” European Union (EU) law.

As explained in the report, “This is not about rules on what a rider should wear. It is about quality standards for the clothing that is on offer to buy.” with FIM supporting, “New standards for a wider range of clothing to reflect the different needs of riders across Europe.”

This is an issue that we have looked at since 2010 – CE Markings aka Caveat Emptor – Let the Buyer Beware – and reporting last year from FIM Europe – Protective Clothing – What’s New! – regarding new developments in motorcycle protective clothing for street riders.

Which way forward for the motorcycle clothing industry and how will the consumer make a good choice?

FIM set out that, “This is not about rules on what a rider should wear. It is about quality standards for the clothing that is on offer to buy. FIM supports new standards for a wider range of clothing to reflect the different needs of riders across Europe.”

Looking through the full Powerpoint Presentation and the Text of the FIM presentation shown at the seminar both set out the issue, the history in an understandable manner how riders as the consumer when buying motorcycle clothing can be confused with the labelling of the PPE – CEN Standards.

In the text of the FIM presentation they set out their concerns and a possible solution:

FIM is concerned that however the CE standards are developed it is too much to ask that riders do all the necessary research themselves in order to make an informed choice. This is clearly impossible in an environment where most of the staff in outlets selling motorcycling clothing have little or no knowledge about the products performance.

Some motorcycling enthusiasts will take a look at the internet sites of clothing suppliers. Some of these are very good with detailed explanations about EN 13595 and which of their products comply fully and those that comply with the abrasion test only in some areas of the garment.

Others have little detail with assertions about the products but no reference to the criteria used to make the claims.  

FIM welcomes the initiative being taken by the authorities in Australia to develop an independent star rating system to grade products. This will come on stream in July 2018.    

Independent testing using a star rating system is an established easy to understand methodology.

With the use of the internet we have seen that the UK system produced by the Department for Transport – the SHARP system – sharp.dft.gov.uk – to inform riders about helmets.  The internet site is used by millions of riders every year from across the world.

SHARP has been awarded the UK Prince Michael road safety award. In 2013 the FIM Road Safety award was presented to SHARP. The FIM Road Safety award is made by a panel of independent judges.    

An added benefit is that the website is used not only to rate helmets but also to give advice on how to select the right fit.

A website on motorcycle clothing will be able to explain the star rating and what protection is really offered.

This initiative is being financed by authorities in Australia with the support of academia.

Star rating for clothing (which will be easy to understand) is something that riders have been asking for since the first research was done in Australia some years ago.”      

As we have said before riders recognise that personal protective equipment may help to reduce injuries and death. However, there is some confusion with regards to the standards for protective clothing.

If riders are spending, sometimes around a thousand pounds on protective equipment then we need to know that what we are buying is up to the job and similarly for the more budget riders (us) then that protective equipment must have the same level of protection and a star rating would provide a level playing field.

Original Source – FIM at 14th European Seminar on PPE to highlight needs of riders for new motorcycle clothing