CE certification explained
What is CE certification?
Why does this matter to you? We’ll give you an overview of PPE regulations and CE certification, explaining what they mean for you.
The PPE regulation
Since April 2018, all motorcycle protective gears has been classified under the PPE regulation. This means that any garment marketed as protective motorcycle clothing, boots and gloves is considered personal protective equipment and must be tested by an official notified body to meet strict regulatory standards.
In this article, we’ll cover the fundamentals of CE certification and compliance, explaining what it means for you as a consumer. This way, you’ll know what to look for when purchasing motorcycle gear, whether online or in-store. you can by from raxid.co.uk
What does ‘CE’ stand for?
You’ve probably noticed the “CE” marking on various products you’ve purchased, such as children’s toys, electronics, and cookware. CE stands for “Conformité Européenne,” which translates to “European Conformity” in French.
A CE mark on a product signifies that it meets the necessary health, safety, and environmental protection standards required for sale within the European Economic Area (EEA). It can also be found on products sold outside the EEA if they are manufactured in or intended for the EEA market.
How are CE-standards and PPE related?
Absolutely! Motorcycle clothing—particularly jackets and pants (excluding gloves, boots, and impact protectors)—is classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Just like kitchenware or electronics, PPE is subject to its own set of regulations, which vary based on how the products are used, classified, and categorized.
Here’s where things get a bit complex. The standards that regulate PPE, specifically motorcycle clothing for leisure use, fall under CE-standard EN 17092, which has now been established as a harmonized European standard.
A harmonized standard means it is officially recognized across the EU as a widely accepted framework for certifying PPE motorcycle garments. We’ll explore this in more detail later.
That said, it’s important to note that this is a general overview of a highly complex topic, influenced by both political and economic factors. Our goal is to help riders understand that while the system may not be perfect, the CE certification label does hold significance. It indicates that the garments have undergone testing to meet at least the minimum safety standards, ensuring you know their intended purpose—providing personal protective equipment in the form of motorcycle protective gears.
The birth of the EN 13595 standard
Any product classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has historically been required to comply with the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC, which was introduced on December 21, 1989, and fully implemented by June 30, 1994. This earlier directive outlined extensive requirements for PPE compliance. However, these requirements were somewhat vague, leaving compliance open to interpretation by manufacturers and accredited test institutes.
Here’s where things take a turn—the PPE directive differs from the PPE regulation. For CE certification to be granted, PPE must be tested against specific standards relevant to its intended use. Essentially, it must meet a defined set of criteria within a broader framework of rules and regulations. This is where EN 13595 comes in. Created to standardize testing criteria across European countries, EN 13595 provided a structured approach for evaluating motorcycle apparel. However, it was largely ignored by the motorcycle apparel industry because it only applied to professional use.
EN 13595 outlined certification requirements in four parts:
- General requirements,
- Test methods for determining impact abrasion resistance,
- Test methods for measuring burst strength, and
- Test methods for assessing impact cut resistance in motorcycle clothing for professional use.
Professional riders include individuals who rely on motorcycles for work, such as couriers, passenger transport operators, emergency medical responders, or roadside assistance providers. If a motorcycle is essential for performing a job, the clothing worn must comply with EN 13595 to be CE certified. However, since the majority of motorcycle apparel was intended for leisure use, many in the industry disregarded this standard.
Time for new rules!
Since the industry largely overlooked the professional EN 13595 standard, the PPE Directive was also effectively ignored. As a result, there was no scientific backing or guarantee that the motorcycle gear sold for personal or leisure use met even the most basic safety standards. After all, without a defined set of testing criteria, ensuring compliance becomes nearly impossible. For years, very few garments in the leisure segment were CE-certified under the EN 13595 standard.
This led consumers to rely on appearance and feel when choosing protective gear, believing it to be safe. However, in reality, many of these garments could fail catastrophically when put to the test. Developing a standardized system for testing motorcycle clothing as PPE was no simple task—it required extensive collaboration and time. The process involved numerous stakeholders, including legislators, government officials, industry experts, and testing authorities. Reaching a consensus on these standards, incorporating diverse perspectives from lobbyists and organizations, demanded countless hours of effort, debate, and expertise from those at the heart of the industry.
Enter EN 17092
After years of discussion and deliberation, Working Group 9 (WG9)—a collective of 30-40 European representatives, including stakeholders, clothing manufacturers, and specialized testing institutes—developed a provisional set of standards aimed at establishing a reliable method for achieving CE certification for leisure motorcycle garments. This led to the introduction of EN 17092.
One of the key motivations behind the creation of EN 17092 was to ensure that riders could purchase genuinely protective motorcycle gear, even without prior knowledge of materials, construction methods, or testing processes. Just because a garment looks durable doesn’t mean it will provide real protection in an emergency. And just because it feels sturdy doesn’t mean it’s suitable for riding speeds. With the EN 17092 standard in place, motorcycle clothing that appears protective is now required to actually be protective.
The key difference between EN 17092 and EN 13595 is that EN 17092 applies specifically to PPE for leisure motorcycle use, covering various riding styles such as sport, adventure, and urban riding. It is a broader standard designed to accommodate different types of motorcycle use. Without going too far off track, this standard recognizes that riders have diverse needs based on how and where they ride.
For example, urban riders are unlikely to wear full-leather one-piece suits for their daily commute, even though it may be a “safer” option—nor would most adventure riders. The challenge lies in striking the right balance between safety and other essential factors like comfort, breathability, waterproofing, and flexibility. EN 17092 ensures that motorcycle gear provides the best possible protection while still being practical and suitable for different riding styles.
Why test on specific elements?
EN 17092, like EN 13595, outlines specific requirements for CE certification. While the standard details the necessary tests and procedures, it doesn’t always explain why certain elements are tested. That’s where we come in—to break down a few key aspects.
Impact Abrasion Resistance – One of the main differences between the professional and leisure standards, despite being a requirement in both, lies in how impact abrasion resistance is tested. This test evaluates whether a fabric can endure an impact slide without breaking down. If the material develops a hole larger than 5 mm when tested with the AART Machine (Advanced Abrasion Resistance Tester), it fails. The goal is to ensure that the fabric’s outer shell absorbs the impact—not your skin. A material’s lowest test result determines its safety rating.
Tear Strength – In this test, a pre-slit fabric sample is pulled apart to measure the force required to extend the tear. The purpose is to ensure that if a garment is punctured by a sharp object, the fabric won’t easily rip further, maintaining its protective integrity.
Seam Strength – Seam strength is tested on the key structural seams, such as the sleeve attachment to the body of a jacket. The test measures the force needed to tear the seam apart. The goal is to ensure that, in the event of a fall and slide, the seams at critical connection points remain intact, maintaining the garment’s protective function.
Dimensional Stability – This test evaluates whether a garment shrinks after multiple washes. It involves washing the garment five times in a specialized fabric-testing machine, with controlled factors such as water speed, volume, spin speed, and temperature. The purpose is to ensure the garment maintains its fit and that protective inserts stay properly in place. If the garment shrinks by more than five percent, it fails the test.
Innocuousness – This test ensures that the chemicals used in the garment, such as dyes, are safe, especially when they come into contact with the skin. The pH level is tested to ensure it’s gentle and doesn’t cause irritation. Additionally, substances that could pose a health risk to the user or harm the environment are also tested to ensure the garment is safe.
We’ve been fervently working at making sure our garments are not only at the CE-certification class, but at a class beyond. A level that gives you additional peace of mind when on the road.
Back to april 21, 2018
It was widely accepted that as of this date, in order to comply with the PPE regulation, companies were given one year to update their motorcycle clothing collections to make sure their garments lived up to the new standards. In short, that was a large demand for a standard that wasn’t even set in stone (at the time).
At REV’IT!, we never shy away from a tall order. Especially if it means your safety is at risk. We’ve been fervently working at making sure our garments are not only at the CE-certification class (EN 17092 parts 1 to 6), but at a class beyond. A level that gives you additional peace of mind when on the road.
CE Certification standards other than garments
While the focus of this article is primarily on motorcycle clothing, note that boots need to meet EN 13634:2017 standards, gloves EN 13594:2015, elbow, knee, hip and shoulder protectors to EN 1621-1:2012, back protectors to EN 1621-2:2014, and chest protectors EN 1621-3:2018. EN 1621-4:2013 covers lanyard-activated air bag protectors, while EN 14021:2013 is a specialized stone shield protector like those used in motocross.
Impact protectors aren’t clothing, so they require their own set of standards. So do boots and gloves, despite them generalized as clothing. That’s why it’s so important to certify something based on the appropriate set of standards depending on the foreseen use of the PPE product.
How to harmonize
For a standard to be harmonized, it must be published in the Official Journal of the European Commission. This ensures broad acceptance and promotes consistency in motorcycle clothing sold across different regions, countries, and cities in Europe and beyond. CE certification remains valid for five years from the date of certification
Zoning and classification
The As, B, and Cs of Certification Classes
For motorcycle clothing, we have various categories of classification:
- Class AAA/AA/A products that have both protection against impacts and abrasion.
- Class B products only offer protection against abrasion.
- Class C Over (CO) and C Under (CU) only holds one or more impact protectors and therefore only offers impact protection for the areas covered by the impact protectors that are included.
Let’s break down what these classes mean.
Class AAA Garments (EN 17092-2:2020)
Class AAA garments provide the highest level of protection against impact and abrasion, using materials and construction that meet stricter requirements than Class AA and Class A garments. However, they may have ergonomic, weight, and thermal limitations for certain riding activities. Common examples include one-piece or combination suits. All marked zones in the corresponding image have successfully passed the required tests.
Class AA Garments (EN 17092-3:2020)
Class AA garments provide protection against impact and abrasion, utilizing materials and construction that meet stricter standards than Class A garments but lower than Class AAA garments. They are designed to offer protection across a wide range of riding activities while typically having fewer ergonomic and weight limitations compared to Class AAA garments. All marked zones in the corresponding image have successfully passed the required tests.
Class A Garments (EN 17092-4:2020)
Class A garments provide the essential level of protection against impact and abrasion, using materials and construction that meet lower standards than Class AAA and Class AA garments. They are designed for maximum comfort, with minimal ergonomic and weight limitations. Examples include garments made for warm climates or those intended to be worn alone or over other clothing. All marked zones in the corresponding image have successfully passed the required tests.
Class B Garments (EN 17092-5:2020)
This class is specifically designed for garments that provide the same level of abrasion protection as Class A garments but without built-in impact protectors. Class B garments do NOT offer impact protection, so it is recommended to wear them with at least EN 1621-1 shoulder and elbow impact protectors for jackets or EN 1621-1 knee impact protectors for trousers/pants to ensure complete minimum protection.
For maximum protection, Class B garments (such as the Sierra jersey in the Raxid DIRT Series collection) should always be paired with Class CO or Class CU garments, like the Proteus protector jacket. This combination ensures both abrasion resistance and impact protection. We do not recommend wearing Class B garments without additional impact protection.
The zoning for Class B and CO garments follows the same standards as Class A garments.
Class C Garments (EN 17092-6:2020)
This class is specifically for non-shell impact protector ensemble garments designed solely to secure one or more impact protectors in place, either as an Undergarment (U) or an Overgarment (O), leading to the CO and CU classifications. Class C garments provide impact protection only in the areas covered by the protectors and do not offer complete minimum abrasion protection. They may also lack full impact protection on their own and are intended as supplementary protection.
Class C garments are meant to be worn alongside AAA, AA, or B garments to enhance overall protection. CU garments do not have zoning requirements, as their protection comes exclusively from the impact protectors integrated into the product.
We can test but we can’t certify
Thanks to our in-house test lab, we can subject potential fabrics and materials to rigorous testing—the same tests used in the CE certification process—before incorporating them into our garments. This gives us an advantage over many other clothing manufacturers. However, we do not self-certify for PPE regulations. Instead, we research, test, and analyze fabric performance, using this data to build a comprehensive library of approved fabrics and constructions. Only those that meet and exceed CE criteria, as well as our own Raxid standards, make it into our final products, such as jackets and trousers.
For a garment to receive CE certification, testing must be conducted by a notified body, an independent third party. As the manufacturer, we provide a detailed technical file containing information about materials, design, and construction. The notified body then verifies that the garment matches the provided documentation and is not misrepresented. They conduct the necessary tests and determine whether the garment meets the required standards. A product either passes or fails for a specific classification.
Recognize CE-certified garments by their labels
Not everyone follows the rules, so it’s important to keep the following information in mind when determining whether a garment, boot, protector,
or pair of gloves is truly CE-compliant. Proper labeling is a key aspect of CE compliance, and it serves as a simple way to differentiate
between genuine and counterfeit certifications.
How to check if a garment is CE-certified?
Every garment, protector, glove, boot, or shoe released to the market after April 2018 and CE certified will include a booklet detailing its certification class. It will also have markings or labels specifying the level of protection it offers and the standard it was tested against. Additionally, care and maintenance instructions will be provided.
The booklet will also contain a special website address where you can request the product’s Declaration of Conformity (DoC). This document will be sent to you by mail. If the item is not CE certified, a DoC will not be available—simple as that! Check out if the product you own is a CE compliant garment.
Is wearing a CE-certified garment mandatory?
There is a lot of misinformation circulating about the requirement for riders to wear CE-certified motorcycle clothing. This is not true. Depending on your country or region, there may be minimum legal requirements (such as wearing a helmet, boots, or gloves, if even that), but the rest is up to you. However, this may change in the near future.
With the EN 17092 standard now harmonized, clothing sold for motorcycling must meet specific requirements. As mentioned, gear that is intended for riding must be tested to ensure it provides adequate protection in a worst-case scenario.
What you choose to wear while riding is still your decision. No one is forcing you to wear CE-certified gear. It’s important to note that clothing made before 2018 was not required to meet these standards, so you may still find garments at your local dealership that lack the proper labels. This doesn’t necessarily mean the gear isn’t safe—it simply hasn’t gone through certification. However, based on our experience and for your safety, we strongly recommend wearing the highest level of protection available while riding. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones.
Reality check
It’s important to understand that there’s a common misconception about motorcycle clothing—many people believe it will come out of an accident without any damage. They think it will stay intact, even after a fall at a certain speed on either abrasive or non-abrasive surfaces, simply because it meets strict testing standards. However, this is not always the case. Riding gear, including jackets, pants, gloves, and boots, acts as a second skin—a shield, so to speak. Its purpose is to reduce or minimize damage to your body. Essentially, the clothing is designed to absorb the impact so your skin and body remain protected.
When taking an impact, the outer shell of your gear will likely be damaged. Keep in mind that every crash and fall is unique. While we understand how a fabric should perform in certain situations, real-life circumstances can vary. Think of it like this: a car is designed to protect you during a crash, but the force of the impact has to go somewhere. This usually results in cosmetic or structural damage, yet the driver and passengers often walk away with minimal harm. Similarly, riding is inherently risky, and the key is to surround yourself with as many safety features as possible. This isn’t about us; it’s about your safety. If you’ve ever seen the aftermath of a motorcycle accident where the rider wasn’t wearing protective gear, you’ll understand exactly what we mean.
CE-certification is a serious business
At Raxid, our goal is not only to offer you some of the most innovative and design-driven technical motorcycle clothing on the market but also to ensure you’re as protected as possible. That’s why we take CE requirements very seriously. We fully support the fact that the new regulations apply to all apparel manufacturers, as they will prevent the market from being flooded with protective claims that don’t stand up to scientific testing. Certifying a garment based on EN 17092 is about striking the right balance between safety, engineering, affordability, weather protection, breathability, and more. It’s a well-thought-out standard created by industry professionals.
All you need to do is carefully check the labels, markings, and instruction manual provided with the garments, boots, impact protectors, and gloves to ensure you’re getting the real deal.
We’re proud to say that our entire collection of motorcycle clothing, boots, limb protectors, and gloves all meet CE certification requirements.
Ride safe!
