Will your riding hat meet new regulations?

One of the most popular standard of riding hats in Europe is being taken off the market.

EU compliance

The (BS)EN1384 specification is to be withdrawn from the Official Journal of the European Union, which contains all EU legislation.

As a result, hat manufacturers will not be able to use this standard to CE mark their hats. All riding hats must have a CE mark under EU law to show compliance with European safety standards.

Drastic step

A statement from the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) said the EN1384 is currently being revised, but a new standard had yet to be agreed.

“The withdrawal is due in part to the European working group responsible for the hat standard failing to reach an agreement on this overdue revision and subsequently causing the commission to take this drastic step,” the statement said.

In the meantime an interim specification called VG1 is being drawn up, which will be announced in a few days.

Saving lives

The ‘BS’ prefix shows the hat has been tested in Britain. According to the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) there should be no difference, however some European countries have approved helmets that might not pass British safety tests.

“The two standards are identical in content and were a major leap forward overthe previous British standards, offering bottom edge protection for the firsttime,” said a BETA spokesperson.

The BEF said the hat had “savedmany riders from head injury or death”.

Best technology

The standard remainsvalid until further notice and riding helmets with thisCE-markingare safe and allowed to be sold.

“The changes of the standard will only be a further development of the current safety rules according to the best available technology,” explainedMaria Wynne from Uvex.

“These will includeshock absorption, lateral rigidity, plus additional enhancements to the individual adjustment system and one-click harness.”

New hat rules

As a result of these changes, equestrian bodies within the UK will have to change their hat rules in the future.

British Eventingwill permit (BS)EN1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter.All hats will be retagged in 2016.

British Riding Clubswill permit (BS)EN1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter.All hats will be retagged in 2016.

ThePony Clubwill permit (BS)EN1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter. Full details of the revised hat tagging procedure to follow.

British Dressagewill permit (BS)EN1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter.

British Showjumpingwill permit (BS)EN1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter.

TheBritish Horse Societywill permit (BS)EN1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter. From 1 January 2016 hats made solely to (BS)EN1384 will not be permitted for use in approved centres.

When buying a new riding hat the BEF says to look for ones with the PAS015 (which was developed by theBritish Standards Institute), thenew VG1 specificationor the revised EN1384 once it has been published.