May 13th, 2019.


The law has changed regarding the manufacture of motorcycle safety clothing, with obligations on both manufacturers and distributors. The Motorcycle Industry Association outlines the changes in the May issue of Motorcycle Trader.

PPE legislation has changed. All products (with some exceptions) placed on the market by a manufacturer or importer from 21st April 2019 must comply with the new Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the new legislation, 425/2016/EU]. The majority of these requirements are the same as the old legislation and some products, impact protectors, for example, may not need a redesign to meet the new legislation.

However, the new guidance for the legislation makes it clear that products which have pockets for impact protectors (whether or not they are supplied with the product) or have some significant protection incorporated are “type II” PPE and will therefore require a type-examination by a “notified body” (i.e. a test house which is permitted to test for this legislation). Manufacturers would not be permitted to self-certify PPE. This would appear to cover almost all motorcycle clothing.

The product will also need to be supplied with the correct documentation and labelling. It is the duty of all parties in the supply chain to check this documentation.

Check out Motorcycle Trader, May 2019 for more information and to find out how key distributors are complying with the PPE law.