The popular (BS)EN1384 riding hat safety standard is being withdrawn by the governing body in charge of the safety regulations for riding hats, but what does this mean for horse riders? Do we need to go and buy a new hat immediately? Are hats certified to (BS)EN1384 now out of date and no longer safe? Here at Naylors we have all the information you need regarding this change.
Safety standards are typically revised every 5 years and often result in little change being made. The review of (BS)EN1384 has been underway for some years but due to there being a lack of progress towards consensus on whether the standard should be changed, BSEN 1384 has been completely withdrawn.
What does the withdrawal of (BS)EN1384 mean for riders?
The withdrawal of (BS)EN1384 does not necessarily affect riders unless you compete. If your hat only has the (BS)EN1384 safety standard then you may need to buy a new hat with the PAS015-2011 or VG1 standard if you intend to compete. Hats with the (BS)EN1384 standard are still permitted for competition in 2015 but not going forward into 2016. Leisure riders are not affected by this change and can continue to wear hats with (BS)EN1384.
Is your (BS)EN1384 Hat still safe?
Yes a hat with (BS)EN1384 safety standard is still safe. As long as your hat fits correctly and has not been dropped or damaged it will continue to keep you safe. The (BS)EN1384 safety standard has been in place for 20 years and in this time has saved countless lives and reduced the severity of many injuries. Just because the standard has been withdrawn does not make it any less safe or reduce the level of protection it will offer.
What does this mean for competition?
Different clubs may have different rules regarding the withdrawal of the (BS)EN1384 hat standard, so it is best to check with the club or organisation you compete with. With most organisations (BS)EN1384 is permitted in 2015 but this will change beyond 2015.
British Eventing: (BS)EN1384 permitted in 2015 but not thereafter. All hats will be retagged in 2016 at which stage no hats made solely to (BS)EN1384 will be tagged or permitted for use.
Protective headwear must meet one of the following standards:
- PAS 1998 & 2011 with Kitemark or Inspect IC Mark
- VG1 with Kitemark or Inspect IC Mark
- ASTM F1163 04a onwards with SEI mark
- SNELL E2001
- AS/NZS 3838 2003 onwards with SAI Global Mark
Riding Clubs: (BS)EN1384 permitted in 2015 but not thereafter. All hats will be retagged in 2016 at which stage no hats made solely to (BS)EN1384 will be tagged or permitted for use.
Protective headwear must meet one of the following standards:
- PAS 1998 & 2011 with Kitemark
- VG1 with Kitemark
- ASTM F1163 04a onwards with SEI mark
- SNELL E2001
- AS/NZS 3838 2006 onwards
Pony Club: (BS)EN1384 permitted in 2015 but not thereafter. Full details of the hat retagging procedure will be communicated out to the Membership and Volunteers shortly.
Protective headwear must meet one of the following standards:
- PAS 1998 & 2011 with Kitemark
- VG1 with Kitemark
- ASTM F1163 2004a onwards with SEI mark
- SNELL E2001
- AS/NZS 3838 1998, 2003 or 2006
- NOCSAE certificate (Polo only)
British Dressage: (BS)EN1384 will be removed from the list of recommended standards from 1st January 2017. (BS)EN1384 permitted in British Dressage Competitions throughout 2015 and 2016.
Protective headwear must meet one of the following standards:
- PAS 1998 & 2011 with Kitemark
- VG1 with Kitemark
- ASTM F1163 04a onwards with SEI mark
- SNELL E2001
- AS/NZS 3838 2003 onwards
British Showjumping: (BS)EN1384 permitted in 2015 but not thereafter.
Protective headwear must meet one of the following standards:
- PAS 1998 & 2011 with Kitemark
- VG1 with Kitemark
- ASTM F1163 04a onwards with SEI mark
- SNELL E2001
- AS/NZS 3838 2006 onwards
British Horse Society: (BS)EN1384 permitted in 2015 but not thereafter. From 01/01/2016 hats made solely to (BS)EN1384 will not be permitted for use in BHS Approved Centres.
Protective headwear must meet one of the following standards:
- PAS 1998 & 2011 with Kitemark
- VG1 with Kitemark
- ASTM F1163 04a onwards with SEI mark
- SNELL E2001
- AS/NZS 3838 2006 onwards
Showing Council: (BS)EN1384 will continue to be permitted for use in affiliated showing competitions throughout 2016 for those bodies that are Members of the Showing Council. (BS)EN1384 will be removed from the list of recommended standards from 1st January 2017.
Current recognised BHS standards are:
- PAS015: (1998 or 2011) with BSI Kitemark
- VG1 01.0404: (2014-12) with BSI Kitemark
- ASTM F1163: (2001a or 04a onwards) with SEI mark
- SNELL E2001: with Official SNELL label and number
- AS/NZS3838 (2006 onwards) with SAI Global Mark
PAS015:2011
Hats with the safety certificate PAS015:2011 are not affected by the withdrawal of (BS)EN1384 and are permitted in competition. If your hat has the PAS015:2011 or both PAS015:2011 and (BS)EN1384 then you are permitted to wear it for competition.
Do you need to buy a new hat?
YES
- If you are competing or planning to compete in 2016 and your current hat only has (BS)EN1384 certification.
- If the organisation or discipline you compete under no longer permits the use of hats with (BS)EN1384 in 2015 or beyond.
NO
- If you are a leisure rider or do not compete.
- If your hat has PAS015:2011 along with (BS)EN1384.
Hats with PAS015:2011
Here at Naylors we have a wide selection of hats that have the PAS015:2011 safety standard. We have chosen our favourite hats suitable for a variety of disciplines, that will be permitted in competition from 2016 onwards.
Champion Junior X-Air Plus Riding Hat – The Champion X-Air Hat has been updated to meet the PAS015:2011 safety standard and is suitable for a wide variety of disciplines. The X-Air Hat is suitable for everyday riding, hacking, schooling, show jumping, dressage and low level showing etc.
Charles Owen Pro II Skull Hat – The Charles Owen Skull is certified to PAS015:2011 and SEI ASTMF1163. The Pro II Skull is suitable for everyday wear and high level competition like cross country and eventing. The removable silk means you can easily match the skull to your competition colours or even your latest riding outfit!
If you have any further queries regarding the change to safety standard (BS)EN1384 please do not hesitate to contact us here at Naylors Equestrian.
We offer a full hat fitting service free of charge in store, so if you are looking to buy a new hat, why not pop in store to browse our range of PAS015:2011 certified hats.
