ASTM Standards Committee Making Progress

• Base Standard (Describes test methods)
  1. Labeling requirement changes to clarify some warnings were approved and sent on to Main Committee ballot.

  2. New language on projections (smooth shells) was approved and sent on to Main Committee ballot.

  3. Technical revisions are progressing to specify anvil finishes (a wet polished and chromed anvil splits helmets more easily than a wet rough anvil). Other technical changes in the works will clarify anvil dimensions in the standard's drawings, improve verification of test lab equipment performance, and improve the uniformity of retention testing. In addition, the standard may be reorganized to clarify its content.

  4. A helmet strangulation case on a Canadian playground was discussed and a task group will look into the incident and determine if there is a buckle design possible that would prevent it without loss of performance for normal crashes. There are still no reported deaths in the U.S. from this problem, probably because of our playground equipment specs.

• Bicycle Helmets
  1. The committee appointed a task group to draft changes to ensure that our standard is equal to or surpasses the CPSC bicycle helmet standard that becomes law on March 10. 1999.

  2.The committee is discussing limits on shell projections or shell friction tests to require smoother shells.

  3. A forward field of vision requirement will be balloted for discussion, despite our objection that it will not help and will result in less protective helmets for most riders.

  4. An attempt to merge the identical bicycle and inline skating helmet standards was voted down.

• Infant-toddler Bicycle Helmets
  This new standard was sent on the ASTM Committee on Standards for final approval and publication.

• Downhill Bicycle Racing Helmets
  Sent back for revision and reballoting.

• Ski Helmets
  This draft standard was discussed and sent forward for Main Committee ballot. It is at least six months from publication.

• Skateboard Helmets
  Discussed and sent forward to Main Committee ballot. Some new changes will be balloted at the same time.

• Whitewater Helmets
  This draft standard was discussed and sent back for reballot.

• Rodeo Helmets
  A task group report was discussed and additional information will be sought.

• Equestrian Helmets
  A task group will ballot clarifications to various provisions.

• Roller Hockey Helmets
  This draft standard was discussed.

• Soccer Helmets
  A task group will look into the need for a soccer helmet standard.

CPSC Will be the Primary Standard by 1999

During the ASTM meetings earlier this month there was discussion of where the ASTM standard should fit in the post-CPSC world. Some manufacturers indicated that they would not be labeling their helmets with the ASTM label once the CPSC standard is widely known. We believe that the standards question becomes moot for most consumers when there is a law requiring a helmet to meet the current industry standard. When was the last time you checked a seat belt for a standards sticker? In most cases a buyer won't even have to look in the helmet for a standards sticker. So the message becomes simpler: buy a helmet that fits you. For the few who do research before buying, a Snell B-95 sticker is still the premium standard.

The ASTM committee discussed possible strategies for its bicycle helmet standard and appointed a task group to draft language revising the ASTM standard to make sure that it equals or exceeds CPSC's requirements. After that, the committee will be considering improvements that will eventually surpass the CPSC standard in some respects. Since it is likely that revisions of the CPSC standard will be slow and infrequent, ASTM's changes may serve to lead CPSC along a consensus path to upgrades.

The CPSC standard is on our Web server at http://www.helmets.org/cpscstd.htm.

This page was last revised on: November 9, 2005.

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