How zoning helps us figure out the low and high-impact zones should a fall occur, and how this information is reflected by CE labeling
THE A's, B, AND C's OF CERTIFICATION CLASSES
For motorcycle clothing, we have various categories of classification:
Class AAA, Class AA, and Class A - products that have protection against both impacts and abrasion.
Class B - products that only offer protection against abrasion.
Class C - products that only hold one or more impact protectors and therefore only offers impact protection for the areas covered by the impact protectors that are included.
CLASS AAA (EN 17092-2:2020)
Class AAA garments offer the highest level of protection from impact and abrasion, using materials and constructions that meet higher requirements than for garments classified as Class AA and Class A. Class AAA garments may have limiting ergonomic, weight, and thermal penalties for some riding activities. Some common examples include one-piece or combi suits. All marked zones successfully pass required tests in the image.
CLASS AA (EN 17092-3:2020)
Class AA garments offer protection from impact and abrasion, using materials and constructions that meet higher requirements than for garments certified as Class A and lower requirements than Class AAA certified garments. Class AA garments generally offer protection against the risks of the greatest diversity of riding activities, and they may have lower ergonomic and weight penalties than Class AAA garments. All marked zones successfully pass required tests in the image.
CLASS A (EN 17092-4:2020)
Class A garments offer the minimum necessary degree of protection from impact and abrasion; using materials and constructions that meet lower requirements than garments certified as Class AAA or Class AA. Class A garments are expected to have the least ergonomic and weight penalties. Some examples can be garments designed to be worn in warm climates or garments designed to be worn alone or over other clothing. All marked zones successfully pass required tests in the image.
CLASS B (EN 17092-5:2020)
This class is specialized for garments designed to provide equivalent abrasion protection of Class A garments but without the inclusion of impact protectors. Class B garments do NOT offer impact protection. Keep in mind, to achieve maximum protection from Class B garments (for example the Sierra jersey in the REV’IT! DIRT Series collection), they should always be coupled with Class CO or Class CU (Proteus protector jacket); that way the rider is getting both abrasion resistance and impact protection. We do not recommend wearing Class B garments without impact protection. Zoning for a Class B and CO garments is the same as for a Class A garment.
CLASS C (CU / CO) (EN 17092-6:2020)
This class is for specialized non-shell, impact protector ensemble garments, designed only to hold one or more impact protectors in place, either as an Undergarment (CU) or an Overgarment (CO). Class C garments are designed to provide impact protection for areas covered by the impact protector(s) only and they do not offer complete minimum abrasion protection, and may not offer complete minimum impact protection. Class C garments are designed to offer supplemental impact protection only. It is intended for Class C garments to be worn in combination with AAA, AA, or B garments to enhance protection class.
WE CAN TEST, BUT WE CAN'T CERTIFY
Because of our in-house test lab, we have the ability to run potential fabrics and materials through rigorous tests (the same ones used in the CE certification process) that we could end up using in our garments: an advantage that other clothing manufacturers don’t necessarily have. That said, we don’t self-certify for PPE regulation. We investigate, we test, we see how certain fabrics perform and, based on this data, we compile a fabrics and constructions library. The fabrics that pass and exceed (based on CE criteria, as well as our own REV’IT! standard), can end up in your next favourite jacket or trousers. To have a garment CE certified, the tests must be conducted through/at a notified body: a third party that’s involved. As the company, we provide detailed product information (called a “technical file” which includes what materials are used where, drawings, constructions, etc) and the notified body will take those documents and compare them to the garment itself; making sure that what we provide on paper is not falsified and truly reflects the garment. The notified body will then run the required tests on the garment(s) and confirm compliance or not. A garment either passes or fails for a certain classification.
HOW TO RECOGNISE CE CERTIFIED GARMENTS BY THEIR LABELS
Not everyone plays by the rules, and so it’s important to take notice of the following information when trying to figure out whether a garment, boot, protector, or pair of gloves is actually CE compliant.
Part of CE compliance is also correct labeling, and this is a relatively easy way to distinguish fake labeling from authentic labeling.
HOW TO CHECK IF A GARMENT IS CE CERTIFIED
Every garment, protector, gloves, boots, shoes in the store (products launched to market after April 2018), which has been CE certified will always have a booklet explaining in which class it has been certified in. There will also be either markings or labels indicating which class of protection it provides and the standard against which it was tested. Care and maintenance instructions will also be provided, among others.
Furthermore, in the booklet, you will find a special website address, on which you can request a so-called DoC; the Declaration of Conformity of the product. This will then be provided to you by mail. If the item you’re looking at is not certified, there is no DoC. Easy, isn’t it?
REALITY CHECK
It’s important to remember that there’s a common misconception that your motorcycle clothing will walk away from an accident unscathed. That it will remain intact despite a fall at a certain speed on an abrasive/non-abrasive surface even if it lives up to strict standards by which it was tested against. That’s not always the case. Riding clothing - including jackets, pants, gloves and boots - are there as a second skin; a shield so to speak. They are there to mitigate/minimize damage to your body. Meaning, they’ll be there to take the hit so your skin and body can stay intact. In taking that hit, there will likely be damage to the outer shell.
Note: every crash and fall is different. While we have insight as to how a fabric should perform, real life can sometimes throw curve balls. Think of it like this: a car is designed to keep you safe in a crash, but the energy of the crash has to go somewhere. It usually results in damage, cosmetically or structurally. But the driver and the passengers can walk away with minimal impact on their bodies.
Riding is inherently dangerous. Making sure you have as many safety components around you as possible, is what we’re promoting. Not for us, but for you. If you’ve ever seen the end result of a motorcycle accident where a rider was not wearing protective gear, you’ll understand what we mean.
Note: every crash and fall is different. While we have insight as to how a fabric should perform, real life can sometimes throw curve balls. Think of it like this: a car is designed to keep you safe in a crash, but the energy of the crash has to go somewhere. It usually results in damage, cosmetically or structurally. But the driver and the passengers can walk away with minimal impact on their bodies.
Riding is inherently dangerous. Making sure you have as many safety components around you as possible, is what we’re promoting. Not for us, but for you. If you’ve ever seen the end result of a motorcycle accident where a rider was not wearing protective gear, you’ll understand what we mean.