This mandatory standard prescribes requirements for the design, construction, performance and safety marking of bicycle helmets.

About bicycle helmets

A bicycle helmet is designed to offer protection to the cyclist’s head during impact. It features a:

shell

liner

retention strap fitted along the lower jaw area.

The mandatory standard prescribes requirements for the design, construction, performance and safety marking of bicycle helmets.

Mandatory standard

The Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standards) Regulations 2001—Bicycle Helmets sets out the mandatory requirements for bicycle helmets.

This mandatory standard is based on certain sections of the voluntary Australian and New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 2063:2008—Bicycle helmets. AS/NZA 2063:2008 is available from SAI Global.

You must consult the mandatory standard for these details.

Key requirements

The listed requirements aim to give suppliers a general idea of what is required by the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.

Testing

The mandatory standard specifies testing to ensure bicycle helmets meet requirements such as those for construction, design, performance, markings and safe use instructions. It is recommended that suppliers of bicycle helmets organise appropriate testing of helmets through specialist laboratories with the right skills, experience and equipment.

Design and construction

General

The helmet must consist of a:

means of absorbing impact energy

means of distributing load

retention system.

All components of the helmet must be permanently attached. Removable comfort pads are not considered to be part of the protective system.

Retention system

The retention system must be designed to:

include a retaining strap to be worn under the lower jaw

be adjustable to produce tension on straps between all points at which the strap is attached to the helmet when the retaining strap is properly fastened

ensure that the retaining strap fitted to the lower jaw area is at least 15 mm wide

meet the requirements of helmet stability and strength of the retention system under anticipated conditions of use.

Projections

A projection is any fixed part that extends abruptly beyond the internal or external surface of the helmet.

The helmet should have no external rigid projections greater than 5 mm in height, except for ventilation holes and associated depressions.

The helmet should have no internal projections or irregularities likely to cause injury to the wearer in case of an accident.

Materials

The manufacturer should regard provisions in AS/NZS 2063, which includes that materials should remain:

stable under the influence of ageing

durable under normal use

durable when exposed to sunlight, extreme temperatures and rain.

Ventilation

The helmet must incorporate features designed to transfer heat from the head.

Performance

Bicycle helmets need to comply with the following performance requirements:

the helmet should not move on the head during normal use, resulting in obscured vision

the helmet should significantly reduce force to the cyclist’s head upon impact

the helmet should distribute the force of an impact

the straps which hold a helmet on a cyclist’s head must not stretch sufficiently to let the helmet come off in an accident

a helmet's peak must not move less than 6 mm during testing with a weight of 2 kg for 30 seconds. A peak is a permanent or detachable extension of the helmet above the eyes.

Safety markings

On the helmet

Each helmet must be permanently and legibly marked in letters no less than 1.5 mm high indicating the:

registered name and address of the manufacturer and/or Australian agent

shell and liner construction material(s)

model and brand designation

front or rear of the helmet

helmet size

month and year of manufacture, which may be spelled out (for example 'November 2008') or in numerals (for example '11/2008').

Each helmet must also be clearly marked so that the safety instructions are accessible without removal of the comfort padding or any permanent part of the helmet. Safety instructions must appear word for word as follows:

Bicycle helmet—NOT intended for use in motor sports or by motor cyclists.

Helmet can be seriously damaged by substances such as petrol, paint, adhesives, or cleaning agents.

Make no modifications.

Fasten helmet securely under the jaw.

If helmet shows signs of damage, destroy and replace it.

If helmet receives a severe blow, even if apparently undamaged, destroy and replace it.

On the package

If the helmet is packaged, the following information must be clear and legible to the user without removal of the helmet:

the manufacturer’s registered brand name

model designation

helmet size

a list of sizes available in the model range, together with the nominal mass for each size

the activities for which the helmet is designed.

Instructions for safe use and care

Each helmet must be accompanied by a brochure or label that includes the following, word for word, in letters at least 2 mm high:

No helmet can protect the wearer against all possible impacts.

The helmet is designed to be retained by a strap under the lower jaw.

To be effective, a helmet must fit and be worn correctly. To check for correct fit, place helmet on head and make any adjustments indicated. Securely fasten retention system. Grasp the helmet and try to rotate it to the front and rear. A correctly fitted helmet should be comfortable and should not move forward to obscure vision or rearward to expose the forehead.

No attachments should be made to the helmet except those recommended by the helmet manufacturer.

The helmet is designed to absorb shock by partial destruction of the shell and liner. This damage may not be visible. Therefore, if subjected to a severe blow, the helmet should be destroyed and replaced even if it appears undamaged.

The helmet may be damaged and rendered ineffective by petroleum and petroleum products, cleaning agents, paints, adhesives and the like, without the damage being visible to the user.

A helmet has a limited lifespan in use and should be replaced when it shows obvious signs of wear.

This helmet should not be used by children while climbing or doing other activities where there is a risk of hanging or strangulation if the child gets trapped whilst wearing the helmet.

Information must also be provided, in words (with letters no less than 2 mm high) and pictures, on the following:

Instructions on the correct method of positioning, adjustment and fastening of the helmet.

Both the correct and incorrect fitment and wearing positions of that approximate type of helmet. These must be shown by a graphical representation of minimum height 25 mm. The two depictions must be the same height. The correct wearing position, as recommended by the manufacturer, must be shown in a circle. The incorrect wearing position (showing the helmet tilted back at a grossly incorrect attitude) must be shown in a circle with a slash through it.

Cleaning method and agent(s).

Details regarding suitability of the helmet in relation to specific activities.

Australian distributors'/agents' names and addresses if manufactured locally.

Related resources

Supplier bulletin - Pedal bicycles and bicycle helmets