Is your horse riding helmet compliant with new Australian Standards?
Author: Tania
If you are feeling confused about the new rules about horse riding helmets then you are not alone.
From January 2017 Pony Club Australia and EA Equestrian Australia have new standards on which horse riding helmets you can wear at any Pony Club or EA event.
This will be enforced at all events. You will not get away with wearing a non compliant helmet.
Look inside your helmet and you will find your helmets code. Many helmets sold within Australia are marked EN1384 this is no longer compliant with Australian standards. However if your helmet has EN1384 but is also marked VG1 (01.040:2014-12) Then it is fine. Take a look at the chart below to see if your helmet is compliant.
So what are your choices -
If your current helmet is not compliant with the new rules and you intend to attend any events run by Pony Club or EA Australia then you have no choice but to replace your helmet.
Luckily helmet manufacturers are taking appropriate actions to release us with helmets that are compliant.
GPA have released new helmets that are compliant to Australian Standards
Uvex Horse riding helmets are also compliant.
Remember that horse riding helmets are intended to be replaced every 5 years or sooner if they take a big knock so take this into consideration when choosing your helmet.
These are EA new regulations. Please see the chart below for the pony club new regulatiions. It is very easy to get a helmet that is compliant by both.
- Current Australian standard AS/NZS 3838 (2006 onwards) provided they are SAI Global marked.
- New Australian standard ARB HS 2012 provided they are SAI Global marked.
- Current American standard ASTM F1163 (2004a or 04a onwards) provided they are SEI marked.
- Current American standard SNELL E2001.
- Current British standard PAS 015 (1998 or 2011) provided they are BSI Kitemarked.
- Interim European Standard VG1 (01.040: 2014-12) with or without BSI Kitemark.
BSI Kitemarked: 
SAI Global marked: 
SEI marked: 
