Helmet Approval Standards

This article is designed as an overview of what is a very complicated subject. We always recommend that you check with the relevant governing body for your class of motorsport competition, as to what the regulation is regarding helmets.

Your helmet is probably the most crucial part of your protective gear in motor racing and as such there are safety standards that competition helmets are required to adhere to. As per MSA’s rule book, all helmets used for motorsport purposes in South Africa, require some level of certification. Refer to the MSA rule book for your particular class, to see what certification your helmet should adhere to.

As 1^st Race we take safety seriously and as such, supply some of the world’s best competition helmets, such as, Stilo, Arai & Bell competition helmets. The standard of approval for these helmets can be found inside the helmet, around the crown of the lining, often just tucked underneath the padding. These helmets all have two standards of approval namely, FIA and Snell. The FIA approval is the more stringent of the two and is recognised internationally.

FIA Approval

 SNELL Approval

SNELL Karting Approval

The FIA homologation 8859-2015 is the current ‘Premium Helmet’ approval, which is the less strict of the FIA approvals. It certifies helmets for use in motorsport with HANS/FHR use. This approval is one of the most used standards in UK and Europe, as HANS/FHR use is mandatory.

Typical example of an FIA 8859-2015/Snell SA 2015 approved Bell helmet

The Stilo ST5F Composite complies to both FIA 8859-2015/Snell SA2015

Further to the FIA’s 8859-2015 standard, there are higher levels of approval that fall within the ‘Advanced Helmets’ standards. They are FIA 8860-2018 and 8860-2018ABP (Advanced Ballistic Protection). They are the most stringent helmet standards in the world, in terms of impact energy absorption, sharp objects penetration and HANS/FHR testing. 

The FIA 8860-2018 and 8860-2018ABP (Advanced Ballistic Protection) standards are the most stringent competition helmet standards in the world. You will notice that full-face helmets that are FIA 8860-2018ABP approved, have a noticeably smaller eye port to increase the strength of the helmet.

Currently the 8860-2018 ABP standard is only required in Formula 1, F2, F3 and Formula E, due to the open cockpit nature of competition but we do order these helmets on special request for customers.

Arai GP-7SRC is an example of an FIA 8860-2018 approved helmet

To simplify, below is a list compiled from the FIA’s technical list No.25 that recognises all the current helmet standards in the market today, along with their validity in international motorsport.

We hope that this information is of value for you and will assist you in choosing a helmet that is not only complaint to regulation but far more importantly, provides you with the ultimate in safety.