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Understanding the New BS EN 397/2025
Standard for Industrial Safety Helmets
All head protection offered in the EU and UK is mandated to be tested against the appropriate safety standards and must feature the CE mark. Don’t forget to act promptly to ensure compliance with legal requirements
Industrial safety helmets are a very essential equipment when it comes to head protection, especially in industries like construction and mining.
And what’s even more important is that these safety helmets are able to comply with the specific safety regulations that guarantees outstanding protection and longevity on their usage.
BS EN 397 is the safety standard for industrial helmets in both British and European regions. This safety standard outlines the specific requirements and methodologies used for testing safety helmets that would protect the wearer from any head injuries.
Just recently, the new standard that will be implemented by the British and European regions is the BS EN 397 /2025, which superseded BS EN 397:2012+A1:2012 that introduced back in 2012.
What’s new in the BS EN 397/2025 Standard?
The BS EN 397:2025 is a newly-revised standard over the BS EN 397:2012+A1:2012, and is published in a 60-page document, highlighting every guidelines and requirements for industrial safety helmets.
One of the notable changes with the BS EN 397:2025 standard is the introduction of two classifications for safety helmets, compared to having one classification from BS EN 397:2012+A1:2012:
Type 1 – These types of helmets are designed for protection against vertical impacts (one-direction) throughout the crown (on-crown), such as falling objects.
Type 2 – Helmets with this type of classification have more protection against multiple directions (off-crown), such as side impacts.
What are the Main Differences Between the 2012 and 2025 Standards?
The main difference between EN 397:2012 and EN 397:2025 is a revised and modernized introduction, the introduction of two helmet types (one and two), improved measurement of drop speed, and the addition of electrostatic and enhanced visibility requirements. EN 397:2012 specifies requirements for industrial safety helmets, focusing on impact and penetration protection, while EN 397:2025 introduces a more nuanced classification system and aligns more closely with modern expectations for both safety and versatility in demanding environments.
Improved Drop Speed Measurement: Defines measurement of drop speed for improved reproducibility.
Electrostatic and Visibility Requirements: Added requirements for electrostatic discharge and enhanced visibility.
Scope: Applies to helmets for general use in industry.
In essence, BS EN 397:2025 builds upon the foundation of BS EN 397:2012 by introducing more specific requirements, a more detailed classification system, and enhanced performance features for modern industrial environments.
Who Should Follow the BS EN 397:2025?
The EN 397:2025 standard is beneficial to the parties that are involved on manufacturing / supplying and using the industrial helmets, such as:
Industrial Safety Helmet Manufacturers / Suppliers: Enables them to produce / supply competitive helmets in the market, by ensuring their quality meet the highest safety standard.
Industrial Safety Helmet Personnel: Using the standard to provide an assessment and improve the helmets’ safety used in the organisation, ensuring the helmets complied with the industry regulations
Industrial Employers: Providing your workforce with helmets that meet the latest and highest safety standard enables protection and preventing risk of injuries within the workplace.
Regulatory Bodies: Being able to take reference of the standard when developing regulations and guidelines for industrial safety equipment.
Why Should You Follow the BS EN 397:2025?
Improved Safety
This provides manufacturers / suppliers an opportunity to produces / supply higher-quality and safer helmets, by adhering to the detailed guidelines of the standard. As a result, their helmets can provide protection against a wide range of hazards, such as impacts, penetration and electrical shocks.
Regulatory Compliance
The compliance with specific safety standards are essential for the majority of the industries. The new BS EN 397:2025 standard provides assurance that their helmets meet these high standards, which further reduces potential risk of legal issues, and improve your reputation as a safety-first organisation.