- 1 - ICS 13.340.20 
  
 
 
 
 
National Standard  
of the People's Republic of China 
  
GB xxxx-xxxx 
 
 
Sports helmets - 
Safety requirements for sports helmets  
for cyclists and users of skateboards and roller skates 
 
 
   
(Draft for approval) 
 
 
 
 
 Issue Date: XXXX – XX – XX Impl ementation Date: XXXX – XX – XX 
 
 
 
Issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and 
Quarantine of the People 's Republic of China  
Standardization Administration of  the People's Republic of China 
 
  
 
- 2 - Table of Contents 
 
 Foreword 3 
1 Scope 4 
2 Normative references 4 3 Terms and conditions 4 4 Specifications 7 5 Requirements 7 5.1 Structures 7 
5.2 Performances 8 6 Test methods 9 
6.1 Laboratory environment conditions 9 
6.2 Helmet structures, specification sizes, in spection for protection range and contents 
checking of marks 9 
6.3 Inspection for mass of helmet 9 
6.4 Inspection for visual field of helmet 9 6.5 Stability test for the rete ntion system of helmets 11 
6.6. Strength test for the rete ntion system of helmets 12 
6.7 Performance test for impact energy absorption of helmet 13 7 Marks, packaging, transportation and storage 18 7.1 Marks 18 
7.2 Packaging, transportation and storage 18 8 Product instruction 18 - 3 -  
Foreword 
Clause 5, Clause 6, Article 7.1 and Clause 8 of this  Standard are mandatory, whilst the rest are 
recommended clauses.  The technical requirements and test methods  specified in BS EN1078:1997 and F1447-06 are 
adopted as the main technical requirements and test  methods of this Standard. The clauses of this 
Standard and the clauses in the normative st andard correspond to each other as follows:  
 
− Article 5.2.2 of this Standard corres ponds to Article 4.3 of BS EN1078:1997; 
− Article 5.2.3 of this Standard corres ponds to Article 4.6.6 of BS EN1078:1997; 
− Article 5.2.4 of this Standard corres ponds to Article 4.6.5 of BS EN1078:1997; 
− Article 5.2.5 of this Standard corr esponds to Article 10.2 of F1447-06; 
− Article 6.4 of this Standard corres ponds to Article 5.7 of BS EN1078:1997; 
− Article 6.5 of this Standard corres ponds to Article 5.6 of BS EN1078:1997; 
− Article 6.6 of this Standard corres ponds to Article 5.5 of BS EN1078:1997; 
 
The aim of drawing up this Standard is to ensure  that helmets manufactured according to this 
Standard, in actual use, protect the safety of the wearer's head to the greatest possi ble extent. Each 
test aims to ensure the strength of the helmets.  This Standard is proposed by China National Light Industry.  This Standard is under the juri sdiction of the China Station & Sporting Goods Standardization 
Centre.  
The main organisations that participated in the drafting of th is Standard are:  
China State Sporting Goods Quality  Control & Inspection Centre; 
Hebei Provincial Product Quality S upervision & Inspection Institute; 
Shunde Moon Helmet Co., Ltd. (Foshan); Kylin Motorcycle Fitting Co., Ltd.; Zhuhai Tailian Sports Equipment Co., Ltd.  The main drafters of this Standard are:  Wang Yanling, Zheng Genchao, Tian Xu, Zhang Ming, Lu Mingchuan, Liu Fei, Yu Wenchuan, Li Weisheng, and Niu Congmin.    - 4 -            
Sports helmets - Safety requirements for sports helmets  
for cyclists and users of skateboards and roller skates 
 
 1  Scope 
This standard specifies the terms and definitions, specifications, requirements, test methods, marks, 
packaging, transportation, storage and instructions for helmets for pedal cyclists and users of 
skateboards and roller skates.  
This standard applies to the helmets worn by  cyclists, skateboarders and roller skaters. 
 2   Normative references 
The provisions of the following documents become  provisions of this Standard after being 
referenced. For dated reference documents, a ll later amendments (excluding corrigenda) and 
versions do not apply to this Standard; however, the parties to the agreement are encouraged to 
study whether the latest versions of these doc uments are applicable. For undated reference 
documents, the latest versions apply to this Standard.  GB/T 10000 Human dimensions of Chinese adults 
 3  Terms and definitions  
The terms and definitions listed below apply to this Standard. 
 3.1  Sports helmet (hereinafter referred to as helmet) 
Sports helmet is referred to as the headgear used during sports activities to absorb the force 
encountered on impact, to reduce the risk of unintenti onal head injuries to th e wearer of the helmet. 
 3.2  Shell 
The outer surface structure of a helmet. 
 3.3  Cushion coat 
The layer of cushion that fits around the head which is used to absorb the encountered impact force. 
 3.4  Comfort pad  
The pad used to ensure the proper fit of a helmet to the wearer's head. 
 3.5  Retention system 
The complete assembly by which the helmet is retained in position on the head during use. The 
system includes the adjustment system and straps etc., which provide more co mfort to the wearer of 
the helmet. 
 3.6  Strap 
Part of the retention system, the strap which is ti ed down under the lower jaw of the helmet wearer, - 5 - used to secure the helmet. 
 3.7  Basic plane 
A plane through the centres of  the left and right external ear open ings and the lower edge of the eye 
sockets. See the 0-0' plane shown in Diagram 1. 
 3.8  Reference plane 
A plane above and parallel to the basic plane, at a distance (X) from the basi c plane. This distance 
(X) is determined by the model size of the headform . See Diagram 2 and the stipulations of Table 1. 
  
- 6 - Table 1 Distances and protection range dimens ions between different specific dimensioned 
basic planes and reference planes  Unit: mm 
Specification 
size X L/2 Y R S T U 
Extra small 23 85 87 38 24 142 80 
Small 
 25 90 95 39 25 147 84 
Medium 27 95 103 40 26 153 87 
Large 30 100 110 41 27 158 90 
 
 3.9  Test area and protection range 
The inspection range on the helmet when the helmet  is undergoing the impact test. It is consistent 
with the minimum protection range of the head (t he area above the ABCDEF lines). See Diagram 3 
and Table 1. 
 
 
- 7 -  4  Specifications 
According to the provisions se t out in GB 10,000, and the head circumfere nce dimensions of 
minors, helmets are divided into four sizes: Larg e, Medium, Small, and Extra Small. See Table 2. 
 
Table 2 Helmet sizes 
Specification size Head circumference dimensions, mm 
Extra small 500 ~ 540 
Small 540 ~ 560 
Medium 560 ~ 580 
Large 580 ~ 600 
The head circumference dimension for extra small helmets is allowed to be 40 mm smaller than the 
maximum circumference of the head size prescr ibed in Table 3. The head circumference 
dimensions for other size helmets are allowe d to be 20 mm smaller than the maximum 
circumference of the head. 
 
 5  Requirements 
 5.1  Structures 
A helmet consists of a shell, cushion co at, comfort pad and retention system, etc. 
 5.1.1  Shell 
The shell must conform to the following: 
a) made of tough textured, water resistant, heat  resistant and cold resistant materials; 
b) the surface of the shell should be solid a nd smooth, the shell edge should be round and 
blunt, to prevent direct head injuries; 
c) during the tests mentioned in this Standard, there should be no ruptures on the shell to 
endanger the wearer; 
d) projections outside of any helmet's shell shou ld not protrude more than 7 mm (objects which 
can easily fall off are excluded); 
e) ventilation holes may be provided. 
 5.1.2  Cushion coat 
The cushion coat must conform to the following: 
a) made of materials which can absorb the encount ered impact energy better and the materials 
must not be affected by contac t with sweat or cosmetics; 
b) the shapes and specification sizes should be prop erly fitted and  the cushion coat must not 
move when the helmet is worn; there shoul d not be any projecti on of over 2 mm and no 
sharp object on the inner surface; 
c) should cover the minimum protection area of the head specified in 3.9 and Diagram 3; - 8 - d) ventilation holes may be provided. 
 5.1.3  Comfort pad 
The comfort pad must conform to the following: 
a) materials for the comfort pad should be comforta ble to wear, be able to absorb sweat and 
allow ventilation. The materials must not be aff ected by  contact with  sweat or cosmetics; 
b) materials and adhesives which can caus e skin irritation must not be used; 
c) ensure that the helmet is comfortable to wear. 
 5.1.4  Retention system 
All components of the retention system should be safely and securely fitted onto the helmet and 
should meet the following requirements: 
a) the width of the strap should not be less than 15 mm; 
b) the adjustment system and retention system for tension tightening should be fitted. This 
system should be able to adjust the strap fa stener so that it is not positioned on the lower 
jawbone; 
c) the retention system should be able to be unloc ked where pressure is applied with one hand.  
 5.1.5  Protection range 
Helmet must be able to cover the area above the ABCDEF lines in Diagram 3. 
 5.2   Performance 
 5.2.1  Mass of helmet (including accessories) 
The mass of any helmet should be: nominal factory value ± 30g 
 5.2.2  Visual field of helmet 
The left and right horizontal visual field of  any helmet must not be smaller than 105o, the upper 
visual field must not  be smaller than 25o and the lower visual field s hould not be smaller than 45o. 
 5.2.3  Stability of helmet retention system  
The helmet must not fall off from the headform. 
 5.2.4  Strength performance of helmet retention system   
The dynamic elongation of the retention system mu st not exceed 35 mm, its static elongation must 
not exceed 25 mm and anomalies such as the strap tearing free, the fastener falling off or the 
fastener becoming l oose should not happen. 
 5.2.5  Performance of helmet absorb ing encountered impact energy 
The peak acceleration should not exceed 300 g. - 9 -  
 
 6  Test methods 
 6.1  Laboratory environmental conditions 
Temperature should be 20 oC ± 3 oC, relative humidity should be 25% ~ 75%. 
 6.2  Helmet structures, specification sizes, insp ection for protection range inspections and 
contents checking of marks 
 6.2.1  Inspection instruments 
A dimensional measuring instrument with di vision value not exceeding 0.5 mm, and standard 
headforms of large, medium, small and extra small. 
 6.2.2  Inspection procedures 
a) Check the conditions of the structure, appearan ce and mark statues etc. of the helmet by 
sight. 
b) Use the measuring instrument to check the stra p and the inner, outer surfaces etc. of the 
helmet. 
c) Measure the specification sizes and the protectio n area of the helmet, place the helmet onto 
the corresponding size standard he adform. Adjust the retention system and apply a 5 kg load 
onto the top of the helmet, measure the protectio n area of the helmet and mark the test area. 
d) The inspection result should conform to the requirements specified in Clause 4, Article 5.1 
and Article 7.1. 
 6.3  Inspection of helmet mass 
 6.3.1  Inspection instrument 
A weight measuring instrument with  division value not exceeding 5 g. 
 6.3.2  Inspection procedures 
a) Weighing the helmet (including acce ssories), record as g (grams); 
b) The inspection result should conform to the requirement specified in Section 5.2.1. 
 6.4  Inspection of visual  field of helmet 
 6.4.1  Inspection system 
The inspection system consists of an angle scale, test headforms and a fixation frame to secure the 
headforms. The division value should be 1o and the measurement range may meet the requirements 
specified in Section 5.2.2. - 10 -  6.4.2  Inspection procedures 
According to the procedures specified in Sectio n 6.2.2 (c), place the helmet correctly onto the test 
headform: 
a) Left and right horizontal visual fields: two di hedral angles are form ed by the longitudinal 
vertical centre plane and the left right two sy mmetry direction planes which form an angle 
not smaller than 105o, located between the reference plan e and the basic plane, its boundary 
is the straight line LK. See Diagram 4: 
 
b) Upper visual field: dihedral a ngle is formed by the reference plane of the test headform and 
an upwards plane which forms an angle not smaller than 25o, its boundary L 1L2=31+31=62 
mm, see Diagram 5; 
c) Lower visual field: dihedral angle is formed  by the basic plane of the headform and an 
upwards plane which forms an angle not smaller than 45o, its boundary K 1K2=31+31=62 
mm, see Diagram 5; 
d) The inspection result should conform to the requirements specified in Section 5.2.2. 
- 11 -  
 6.5  Stability test for the retention system of helmets 
 6.5.1  Test equipment 
Consists of a base, test headforms, drop wei ght (mass of 10.0 kg ± 0.1 kg), a guiding unit (total 
mass of 3.0 kg ± 0.1 kg), a release unit, a pulley, an elastic belt  (under a load of 1000 N, its 
elongation should be lower than 18 mm/m), as shown in Diagram 6. 
 6.5.2  Test procedures 
a) According to the procedures specified in Section 6.2.2 (c), place a helmet correctly on a 
suitable test headform, secure the strap. 
b) As shown in Diagram 6, the hooks  of the guide unit and the re lease unit should be connected 
to the centre of the back of the helmet. 
c) The drop weight should be released from a he ight of 175 mm ± 5 mm, allow the drop weight 
- 12 - to free fall along the guide rail of the guide unit, drop onto each helmet once. 
d) The test result should conf orm to the requirements specified in Section 5.2.3. 
   
 
 6.6  Strength test for the retention system of helmets 
 6.6.1  Test equipments 
Consists of a fixation frame, test headforms, dr op weight (mass of 4.0 kg ± 0.2 kg), a scale, loading 
unit (total mass of 5.0 kg ± 0.5 kg), simulated lowe r jaw (width should be 87 mm ~ 90 mm) etc. as 
shown in Diagram 7. 
 6.6.2  Test procedures 
a) According to the procedures specified in Sec tion 6.2.2 (c), place a helmet correctly onto  a 
suitable test headform, firmly secure the stra p  over the simulated lower jaw,  allow the 
loading unit (total mass of 5.0 kg ± 0.5 kg) to  free action on the retention system for 30 s 
and thus determine the initial  zero setting of the scale; 
b) When it is secured, rele ase the drop weight, al low it free fall from a height of 600 mm ± 5 
- 13 - mm and impact onto the end baffle plate; 
c) Use the scale to measure the maximum dynamic displacement of the simulated lower jaw 
and the residual displacement after two minutes  in order to determine the corresponding 
prolongation of the retention system; 
d) The retention system should be able to be unloc ked where pressure is applied with one hand; 
e) The test result should conform to the require ments specified in Section 5.2.4 and Section 
5.1.4 (c). 
 
 6.7  Performance test for impact energy absorption of helmet 
 6.7.1  Test equipment 
The test equipment consists of an impact test be nch and an analysis reco rder. The equipment should 
conform to Sections 5.2.5, 6.7.1.1, 6.7.4.1 and 6.7.4.2 and m eet the requirements related to ensure 
- 14 - the impact energy is consistent with the impact efficiency. 
 6.7.1.1  Impact test bench 
The impact test bench consists of falling guiding unit, headforms, fixation frame to secure the 
headforms, spherical joint, anvil, anvil base, re lease system and base as shown in Diagram 8.  
The main parts of the test bench should meet the following technical requirements: 
a) Headforms: made of metal materials and with a similar structure to the frequency response 
of the human head. The frequency response should be below 1400 Hz and the minimum 
resonance frequency should be 2500 Hz. The he adforms are divided into four sizes: extra 
small, small, medium and large (see Table 3 a nd Diagram 9). The total mass of the dropping 
headforms (including the acceleration transducer  and the connector) are as follows: extra 
small size should be 4+0.1
0 kg, small size should be 4+0.1
0 kg, medium size should be 5+0.1
0 kg 
and large size should be 6+0.1
0 kg. Among which, the mass of th e acceleration transducer and 
the connector should not be more than 25% of  the total mass of the dropping headform. An 
accelerator transducer should be fitted at th e centre of the gravity of the headforms. 
b) The anvil and the anvil base: Th e anvil should be made of t ool steel (TIOA). The roughness 
of the impact surface should not  be lower than Ra 0.8 and the hardness should not be lower 
than HRC 50. The anvil and the anvil base should be rigidl y connected, the anvil base 
should be rigidly fixed onto the base and the co llision surface must be perpendicular to the 
normal line of the impact point of the headform. 
Flat anvil: should be constructed of a steel plate with a diameter of 130 mm ± 3 mm and a 
minimum thickness of 15 mm as shown in Diagram 10. 
Curbstone anvil: the curbstone anvil has two sides intersecting at the impact edge and forming 
an angle of 105o ± 0.5o, the height should be 50+2
0 mm and the length should be 125+2
0 mm; 
as shown in Diagram 11. 
c) Base: made of reinforced concrete, the mass should be lower than 1600 kg. 
 
Table 3 Dimension of headforms 
 Model sizes Margin 
of errorSymbol Name 
Extra 
small Small  Medium Large  
a Maximum 540 560 580 600 ± 2 
- 15 - circumference 
of the head 
b Head length 170 180 190 200 
c Ear-forehead 
space 95 100 105 110 
d Head width 145 155 166 177 
e Ear-head height 110 120 130 140 
 
 
 
 6.7.1.2  Test for analysis recorder system 
The analysis recorder system consists of a single -axis acceleration transducer, an amplifier, data 
processing, displaying and recordin g etc. Its main performance requirements are as follows: 
a) the range of the frequency response should be 0+0.2
0 Hz ~ 1000 Hz, the cut-off point for 
frequency band should be -3+0.5
-1 dB, the subsidence frequency s hould be -9 dB/oct ~ -24 
dB/oct; 
- 16 - b) meet the detection requirements for acceler ation value mentioned in Section 5.2.5; 
c) measure the uncertainty U=5%(k=2). 
 6.7.2  Treatment of helmet sample before test 
Helmet samples must undergo treatment in accorda nce with the requirements specified in Table 4. 
Select only one treatment for each helmet sample. 
Helmet samples undergoing the hot or low temperature treatment should complete the test within 3 
minutes after the treatment; if the helmet has le ft the treatment environment for more than 3 
minutes, then it should be put back into the incubator for a minimum of a further 5 minutes of re-treatment before undergoing the test. For helmet samples undergoing water-immersion treatment, the sample should be air dried for 20 minut es before the sample undergoes the test. 
Table 4 Helmet treatments before test 
Condition 
Item 
Temperature, oC Duration, h 
High 
temperature 50 ± 3 4 ~ 24 
Low 
temperature -15 ± 2 4 ~ 24 
Water-
immersion  15 ~ 23 4 ~ 24 
 
 6.7.3  Test area and impact points 
 6.7.3.1  Test area 
The test area is the part which is above the pres cribed lines of ABCDEF in Diagram 3 (see Diagram 
3 and Table 1). 
 6.7.3.2  Impact points 
Choose 4 weakest places at random w ithin the test area as the impact points, carry  out one impact to 
each impact point, out of which use the flat anvil for two impact points and the curbstone anvil for 
the other two impact points (along the length and wi dth of the ventilation hol e for one impact each), 
the space between two impact points should not be  less than 120 mm. See Table 5 for the impact 
velocity and number of impacts. 
Table 5 Test conditions for the performan ce of impact energy absorption of helmet 
Flat anvil  6.2 Velocity, m/s 
Curbstone anvil 4.8 
Number of impacts  on a same impact point 1 
Impact velocity is determined 40 mm be fore the impact, not less than 95% of 
the theoretical velocity. - 17 -  6.7.4  Test procedures 
6.7.4.1 Fix the acceleration transducer  rigidly onto the centre of grav ity of the headform. The angle 
between the sensitive axis of the acceleration tran sducer and the normal line of the impact point of 
the headform must not exceed 5o. 
6.7.4.2 Calibrate the impact test unit: ad just the impact velocity of th e headform of the impact test 
bench, cause it to impact with th e standard test block at a velo city of 5.44 m/s (measured 40 mm 
before the impact). Under the same conditions, conduc t three impacts with a time interval of 75 s ± 
15 s between each. The error for peak acceleration of each impact should not exceed 3%; conduct 
one calibration before and after the test respectively. If the differen ce between the peak values of the 
mean acceleration before and after the test is greater than 5%, then the result of  this test is invalid. 
6.7.4.3 Place an environmentally treat ed helmet correctly onto a su itable corresponding size test 
headform. Locate the impact point in the test area of the helmet, fasten the strap securely and carry 
out the test in accordance with th e requirements specified in Table 5. 
6.7.4.4 The test result should confor m to the requirements specified  in Section 5.2.5 and Section 
5.1.1 (c). 
 7  Marks, packaging, transportation and storage 
 7.1  Marks 
The following information should be permanently ma rked onto each helmet so  that it can be seen 
during the entire service life of the helmet: 
a) product name; 
b) name and address of the manufacturer; 
c) product usage; 
d) product specification and model number; 
e) manufacturing date, batch number or serial number of the product; 
f) standards compliance; 
g) helmet mass (g); 
h) mark of conformity; 
i) warning statement: read the instructions before  use; the strap must be fastened securely 
during use; stop using the helmet after the helm et has experienced a severe blow; corrosive 
solvents must not be used to clean the helm et; proper wearing of th e sports helmet can 
effectively reduce sports injuries, bu t cannot completely avoid injuries. 
 7.2  Packaging, transportation and storage 
7.2.1 The contents of the packaging mentioned in Ar ticle 7.1 must also be marked on the packaging 
of the product. 
7.2.2 During the transport and storage of the product,  there should be an indication that collision 
and contact with moisture must be avoided, as well as corrosion from orga nic chemical articles. - 18 -  8  Product instruction 
There should be a copy of a user's instruction in Chinese attached with each helmet and the 
instruction should include at l east the following information: 
a) remind the customer to choose a  certified helmet  which is suitable to his own headform and 
size when purchasing; 
b) the strap must be fastened securely during use; 
c) if the helmet has experienced a server collision, it should not be used or the helmet must be 
inspected and identified if it can be used; 
d) pay attention to the helmet maintenance - corros ive solvents must not be used to clean the 
helmet and must not impact the helmet; 
e) the service life of the helmet should be declared by the manufact urer in accordance with the 
condition of the product; 
f) the structure of the helmet must not be modified; 
g) the proper wearing of the sports helmet can be effective in reduci ng sports injuries, but 
cannot prevent inju ries completely.