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March 16, 2004
By: Terry Bilt
Website: http://www.all-motorcycle-helmets.com
Motorcycle helmets - be safe, look for the Kitemark
The BSI Kitemark for motorcycle helmets
and visors was extended in the year 2000 to include new European regulations.
The regulations, under the UK Road Traffic Act, state that new European
regulations can now be used in addition to the current British Standards.
Until recently, the only helmets and visors that could be legally sold
for use on the UK's roads had to be Kitemarked to show they met the requirements
of BS 6658 and BS 4110.
Now, in addition to this approval, helmets and
visors are also legal if approved to United Nations ECE Regulation 22, 05 Series
of amendments (Reg 22.05). To avoid confusion, the Kitemark is now offered for
all current approvals so motorcyclists can ensure they are protected with BSI.
Although 'E' marked, helmets and visors approved to the less stringent
Reg 22.04 cannot legally be sold for use on the road in the UK, this is not the
case in mainland Europe where the majority are currently only approved to Reg
22.04. The more stringent Reg 22.05 will be phased in over the next few years
throughout most of mainland Europe.
The Vehicle Certification Agency, which is the UK approval authority for ECE Regulations, has accepted BSI,
one of the world' s leading test laboratories for protective headwear, as its
first technical service provider for the new European regulations.
Alan
Hope, General Manger of BSI Product Services, said: "BSI provides a
cost-effective testing and certification service for manufacturers to
demonstrate that their products are legal and fit for purpose.
"The
Kitemark indicates to the consumer that the product is regularly tested by BSI
against the requirements of its related standards and that the manufacturer's
quality system is assessed on a regular basis, thus ensuring continued quality
of production.
"BSI is proud to be a part of any process that saves
lives. We are committed to ensuring that helmets that comply with the law give
the best protection available. This is the only way to protect both the
motorcyclist and the motor cycle industry in the long term," Alan Hope
added.
Author Notes:
Terry Bilt contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.all-motorcycle-helmets.com.
A buyers guide to all types of motorcycle helmets plus shields, googles, custom and wired radio helmets.
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