I recently decided that my crash helmet was looking a bit shabby, and whilst it hasn’t actually suffered a heavy blow in an accident it had a few blemishes which an exacting scrutineer might take exception to. Not only that, it still had a yellow MSA sticker which is no longer valid and would have to be replaced with a new blue one. Besides all that, I fancied a different colour.

With my credit card burning a hole in my pocket I took a trip to Fowlers to select a nice new Arai. But things weren’t as simple as that. We know that for motorsport approval you need a helmet ~ bearing either a Snell or BS standard. Until now there has been no difficulty finding helmets with a BS6658-85 sticker, but things are changing. The Japanese manufacturers have decided — in the interests of pan-European marketing — to adopt the ECE 22-05 standard, originally a United Nations standard whose origins date back to 1972. Even a model of helmet that has reached the BS standard and used to have a BS sticker now bears only an ECE22-05 sticker.

I spoke to both the British Standards Institute and the technical section at Motor Sports House, and discovered that there are significant differences in the tests applied. The ECE tests can be performed by the manufacturer, and each test is carried out on a new helmet. They do not include penetration tests nor flammability tests. By contrast, the BS tests are carried out independently (by the BSI), and do cover penetration and flammability. The tests are performed sequentially on the same helmet, and include a double-impact test — two impacts at the same point on the helmet, to simulate bouncing down the road on your head.

Specialist suppliers such as Grand Prix Racewear (the UK distributors for Arai motorsport helmets) and Merlin Motorsport, carry stocks of BS standard helmets, and would not let you buy a helmet for motorsport use that does not comply. The problem arises if you want to take advantage of the greater range of helmets available in a motorcycle store. If you find a helmet that you like that only has an ECE sticker, don’t lose heart. Shop around; you may find the same helmet in another shop that was delivered before the BS stickers were removed. I found the helmet I wanted in Hem Gericke, with a BS sticker — but not in my size.

Sadly for Arai Fowlers lost the sale. I ended up at Merlin where (for half the price) I bought a Shoei RXR with the approved standard sticker. It wasn’t my first choice of colour, but then it’s not a perfect world is it?