More Motorcycle Helmets to be Available in Singapore Following Standards Revision
Singaporean motorcyclists will soon have access to a wider variety of helmets, with the revised motorcycle helmet safety standards taking effect on November 1st. The changes address concerns about the previous 2014 standards, which importers found differed from those recognized in Europe and the US, creating a risk of failure for helmets approved elsewhere.
The 2014 standards also involved destructive testing, increasing the cost of helmet availability in Singapore. Furthermore, helmets featuring speedy-release chin straps – a convenient alternative to customary D-ring closures – frequently failed the tests. Some riders also reported that the inconvenience of D-rings might lead to improperly secured chin straps, reducing helmet effectiveness.
The revision, announced in October 2024 at a motorcycle event, will now allow helmets certified under the UNECE R22.06 standard to be sold in Singapore without further testing,a practise already adopted by other countries.
Mr. Rex Tan, President of the Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association and a member of the working group reviewing the standards, expressed surprise at the removal of the testing requirement for UNECE R22.06 certified helmets but acknowledged its international precedent. He anticipates sellers will adjust pricing to reflect the reduced compliance costs.Mr.Tan expects the increased availability of compliant helmets to begin immediately on November 1st.
Tags: Motorcycles, Traffic/Road rules, Police.
