EN 397:2025 Technical Guide
EN 397:2025 Technical Guide
EN 397:2025 Technical Guide
Learn about the technical guide regarding the latest revision of the EN 397 industrial safety helmet standard, which entered into force in 2025.
Overview
In the European Union and the United Kingdom, all head protection products (e.g., Industrial Safety Helmets) must meet strict compliance requirements, bear the CE mark, and be legally placed on the market in accordance with EU Regulation 2016/425 (the ‘Personal Protective Equipment Regulation’).
Industrial safety helmets play a vital role in ensuring the safety of workers, particularly in high-risk sectors such as construction, mining, and heavy industry. Therefore, it is critical that these helmets comply with relevant safety standards that guarantee reliable performance, specified durability under hazardous conditions, and compliance with applicable EU and UK laws.
EN 397 is the European Norm or ‘Standard’ that Industrial Protective Helmets (as currently defined) must generally comply with to receive CE marking as Personal Protective Equipment. It defines minimum performance requirements, testing methodology, product labeling requirements, etc.
In one of the most significant changes to Safety (also known as ‘Protective’) Helmet standards in decades, the current standard version (EN 397:2012+A1:2012) will be replaced by EN 397:2025.
Key changes introduced by EN 397:2025 include:
- Protection and Performance: Introduction of new performance definitions for two different helmet “Types” (i.e., Type 1 and Type 2). This requires greater consideration of risk by the user/specifier during product selection while effectively removing the ambiguity or applicability of EN 12492 for industrial safety applications.
- Design: Removal of defined helmet design requirements, such as the internal clearance requirement between the outer shell and the suspension system. This potentially paves the way for innovation.
- Compatibility: Helmet ergonomic assessments must be conducted to evaluate the functionality and practicality of the product design. Helmet accessories that could affect the compliance of the helmet (e.g., during impact tests) must be attached during testing and effectively confirmed to be compatible; for example, face shields/visors, hearing protectors, neck guards, miner’s lamp brackets, etc.
What are the key differences between EN 397:2012 and EN 397:2025?
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Category of Change |
Summary of Changes |
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Introduction and Definition of Two “Types” of Industrial Protective Helmets |
Type 1: Designed to provide protection against vertical (crown) impacts, such as falling objects. Type 2: Intended to offer protection against lateral and rear impacts, as well as high-energy vertical (crown) impacts. |
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Impact and Shock Absorption (Mandatory Requirement) |
2012 Edition: Crown impact drop test only from 1 meter: 49 Joules of energy is applied to the crown (top) of the helmet, and the maximum force transmitted to the wearer’s neck must not exceed 5 kN. No side, front, or rear impact testing was performed. 2025 Edition: Type 1 (Crown Impact): The specified drop height (1 m) has been replaced by velocity (4.43 m/s) to achieve a more consistent, repeatable, and reproducible impact force of 49 Joules. Helmets are impact tested only at the crown on 2 different headform sizes. Helmets undergo pre-conditioning according to standard requirements and manufacturer instructions. Maximum force transmitted to the wearer’s neck remains 5 kN. Type 2 (Crown Impact): A preliminary test is performed according to Type 1, and ‘worst-case’ results are recorded (i.e., the headform size and conditioning combination recording the highest force transmission ≤5kN). Using only this ‘worst-case’ combination, the helmet is then subjected to a high-energy crown impact test with a specified energy of 98 Joules. A 5 kg hemispherical striker is dropped at a velocity of 6.2 m/s (approx. 2 m drop height). Maximum transmitted force is set at 10 kN. Type 2 (Off-Crown Impact): A preliminary test is performed according to Type 1. Using the ‘worst-case’ condition and headform size combination, the helmet is then impact tested on the front, rear, and sides with a specified impact energy of 24.5 Joules. A 5 kg flat striker is dropped at a velocity of 3.13 m/s (approx. 0.5 m drop height). Maximum transmitted force is set at 10 kN. |
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Resistance to Penetration (Mandatory Requirement) |
Type 1: Crown (vertical) penetration test: A 3 kg mass is dropped from 1 meter and visually checked for no contact with the headform. Type 2: According to Type 1, but with two impacts in the target area. |
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Off-Crown Penetration (OCP) Resistance (Optional Requirement) |
Optional for Type 1 and Type 2: The impact velocity of the 3 kg striker used in the mandatory helmet penetration test is 2.71 m/s. This is a change from EN 397:2012, reducing the approximate drop height from 1 m (1,000 mm) to 375 mm (+/-). This is equivalent to an 11 J energy impact on “Zone 2” of the helmet. Helmets are pre-conditioned at +50 °C and -10 °C (or lower if specified by the manufacturer), then impacted at 3 points with 100 mm intervals within 1 minute after removal from the conditioning chamber. |
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Retention System (Chin Strap) |
2012 Edition: Fitting a chin strap is optional. If fitted, it must release at a force between 150 and 250 N to reduce the risk of injury from the helmet/chin strap snagging. 2025 Edition: Type 1: Chin straps are optional. The current version of EN 397:2025 has removed the upper limit (250N) required for chin strap release/breakage. BBU SAFETY considers this a serious risk to the user and will maintain the 150-250N release performance range for its EN 397 ‘Type 1 and Type 2’ Chin Strap series. Type 2: Fitting a chin strap is mandatory and must be factory-fitted with a break strength >500N. This is intended to ensure the helmet remains on the wearer’s head in the event of a fall, such as when working at height. BBU Safety’s Patented Design: The magnetic chin strap buckle with an adjustable breaking point allows the helmet to be used for EN 397 industrial or EN 12492 mountaineering purposes without removing the helmet from your head. |
Why the Change?
EN 397:2025 reflects the increasing demand for helmets that provide all-around head protection in industrial environments. With the introduction of the “Type 2” helmet classification, it effectively closes the gap between traditional industrial safety helmets and mountaineering/climbing helmets.
Until now, users seeking helmets with front, side, and rear impact protection and/or penetration features typically selected helmets tested and certified to EN 12492—a European Standard designed specifically for climbing and mountaineering. Consequently, these helmets were not always fully adequate and were certainly not originally designed for Industrial Safety applications.
EN 397: What is it and what does it test?
EN 397 is the European standard defining minimum performance requirements for industrial safety helmets. This standard has been in force for over 50 years and primarily focuses on protection against impacts to the top (crown) of the helmet.
Key Testing Requirements under EN 397:
- Shock Absorption Test: A 49-joule impact is applied to the top of the helmet to test shock absorption capacity.
- Penetration Resistance: A 3 kg conical striker is dropped from a height of 1 meter onto the crown to evaluate penetration resistance.
- Lateral Rigidity Test: A slow and gradual force is applied to the sides of the helmet to measure deformation. This does not simulate impact but checks structural flexibility.
NEW EN 397:2025 Industrial Protective Helmet Standard
With the most significant change in industrial helmet specifications in 30 years, the new EN 397:2025 Industrial Protective Helmet standard has been published.
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EN 397:2012 |
EN 397:2025 |
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Single performance level |
Type 1, for overhead impacts* Type 2, for overhead and off-crown impacts** |
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Chin strap release 150-250 N |
Type 1 release force: Over 150 N Type 2 release force: Over 500 N |
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440 V electrical insulation option |
Electrical requirements are now covered under EN 50365:2023 |
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No specific testing requirements for accessories listed in user instructions |
Attachments and accessories are tested and evaluated for helmet compatibility |
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Test requirements specify drop height |
Test requirements specify velocity |
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Flammability test |
Ignition test |
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Additional Features (Optional/New) |
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• Penetration resistance from the top (optional) • Electrostatic dissipative properties (optional) • Ergonomic evaluation (mandatory) • Enhanced visibility – day/night (optional) |
REMOVED OPTIONS: Lateral deformation
* Mandatory Type 1 impact tests: overhead shock absorption, overhead penetration resistance
** Mandatory Type 2 impact tests: overhead and front, side, rear shock absorption, overhead penetration resistance
IN CONCLUSION
EN 397:2012 helmets can continue to be used and sold until the CE/UKCA certification expires.
BBU Safety: Before Becoming Unsafe.