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If you are developing a motorcycle jacket, trousers, or suit, there is one standard you need to know: EN 17092. While EN 1621 covers individual protectors (like limb joint protectors or inflatable airbags), EN 17092 covers the garment itself—the jacket, trousers, or suit that holds everything together.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of EN 17092, explaining what the standard requires, how the five protection classes work, and what it means for your product.
What is EN 17092?
EN 17092 is the European standard for protective garments for motorcycle riders. Published in 2020, it replaced the older EN 13595 standard and introduced a new classification system that serves everyday riders as well as professionals.
All motorcycle clothing sold in the European market is classified as Category II Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) under Regulation (EU) 2016/425. This means it must be tested and certified by a third party to meet EN 17092 requirements before it can bear the CE mark.
The standard is divided into six parts:
| Part | Title | What It Contains |
|---|---|---|
| EN 17092-1 | Test Methods | Describes all test methods—zoning, ergonomics, mechanical properties, impact abrasion resistance |
| EN 17092-2 | Class AAA Garments | Highest level of protection; mandatory limb protectors |
| EN 17092-3 | Class AA Garments | Second-highest level; mandatory limb protectors |
| EN 17092-4 | Class A Garments | Minimum necessary protection; protectors for elbows, shoulders, knees |
| EN 17092-5 | Class B Garments | Same abrasion protection as Class A, but without impact protectors |
| EN 17092-6 | Class C Garments | Designed to hold impact protectors; no minimum abrasion protection |
The Five Protection Classes (AAA, AA, A, B, C)
EN 17092 defines five classes of protective clothing. Choosing the right class depends on your product's intended use and target riding conditions.
Class AAA – Maximum Protection
Class AAA garments offer the highest level of impact and abrasion protection currently defined by CE standards for motorcycle gear. They are typically intended for high-speed riding, racing, or track use.
Mandatory: Certified protectors for elbows, shoulders, knees, and hips
Test speed (Zone 1): Approximately 120 km/h
Typical use: Professional racing, track days
Class AA – High Protection
Class AA offers the second-highest level of protection and is suitable for sport touring and spirited road riding.
Mandatory: Certified protectors for elbows, shoulders, knees, and hips
Test speed (Zone 1): Approximately 75 km/h
Typical use: Sport touring, highway riding
Class A – Entry-Level Certified Protection
Class A garments provide the minimum necessary degree of protection from impact and abrasion.
Mandatory: Certified protectors for elbows, shoulders, and knees (hip protectors optional)
Test speed (Zone 1): Approximately 45 km/h
Typical use: Urban commuting, city riding
Class B – Abrasion Protection Only
Class B garments meet the same abrasion resistance requirements as Class A, but do not include impact protectors.
No mandatory impact protectors (though recommended for shoulders and elbows)
Typical use: Lightweight riding shirts intended to be worn with additional impact protection
Class C – Impact-Only Garments
Class C garments are designed solely to hold impact protectors in place, with no minimum abrasion protection required. They are intended to be worn with and supplement the protection offered by Class AAA, AA, A, or B garments.
No abrasion testing required
May be worn as undergarment or overgarment
Typical use: Airbag vests (many standalone airbag vests are certified as Class C)
Choosing the Right Class for Your Product
| Product Type | Typical Class | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Full-race leather suit | AAA | Maximum abrasion protection at high speed |
| Textile touring jacket | AA or A | Balance of protection and comfort |
| Urban commuting jacket | A | Minimum certified protection for city speeds |
| Lightweight riding shirt | B | Abrasion protection; intended to be paired with Class C under-garment |
| Airbag vest (standalone) | C | Holds airbag protectors; worn over or under other gear |
Understanding these classes is crucial because they directly affect which protectors are mandatory and how the garment must perform in abrasion testing.
Core Tests Required for EN 17092 Certification
EN 17092 evaluates garments across a comprehensive set of mechanical properties. The main tests include:
1. Impact Abrasion Resistance (Darmstadt Method)
This test simulates the stress placed on a garment when an average rider (75 kg, 1.75 m) slides on a real concrete road surface from various speeds to a stop. Material specimens are mounted on rotating arms and impacted against a concrete tile.
To pass: No holes larger than 5 mm in any direction on the layer closest to the body
Test speed varies by class: AAA (120 km/h) > AA (75 km/h) > A (45 km/h)
2. Seam Strength
Each seam type, zip fastener, and protector pocket seam must be assessed.
3. Tear Strength
For textile garments: Tested according to EN ISO 3377-2:2016
For leather garments: Tested according to EN ISO 4674-1:2016
Materials are evaluated individually
4. Dimensional Stability
If the garment can be washed or dry cleaned, dimensional changes must not exceed ±5%.
5. Two-Piece Suit and Sleeve Restraint
Two-piece suits are tested by applying a force of 100N to ensure no gapping or connection failures occur. Sleeve restraint systems are tested with a force of 50N.
How EN 17092 and EN 1621 Work Together
A common point of confusion is the relationship between EN 17092 and EN 1621. They serve different but complementary purposes:
EN 1621 certifies the protectors themselves—the impact-absorbing armour for shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, back, chest, and inflatable airbags
EN 17092 certifies the garment—the jacket, trousers, or suit that holds these protectors in place
For a complete motorcycle jacket, the full certification package typically includes:
| Component | Applicable Standard | What It Certifies |
|---|---|---|
| Outer garment | EN 17092 (Class A/AA/AAA/B/C) | Abrasion resistance, seam strength, tear strength |
| Shoulder/elbow protectors | EN 1621-1 | Impact absorption for limb joints |
| Back protector | EN 1621-2 | Impact absorption for spine area |
| Chest protector | EN 1621-3 | Impact absorption for chest (if present) |
| Inflatable airbag system | EN 1621-4 | Deployment timing, inflation reliability |
The Certification Pathway
To bring an EN 17092-certified garment to the European market, manufacturers must work with a Notified Body—an independent organisation authorised to assess PPE compliance under Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
The process generally follows these steps:
Pre-testing and design validation: Conduct internal testing against EN 17092 requirements
Submit samples to a Notified Body: Provide garment samples, technical documentation, and material specifications
Complete required testing: The Notified Body's laboratory performs the full suite of EN 17092 tests
Certification issued: Manufacturer receives a test report and certificate of conformity
CE marking applied: Garment may bear the CE mark and be placed on the European market
How EN 17092 Applies to Airbag Vests
Standalone airbag vests are typically certified as Class C (EN 17092-6). This classification recognises that the vest is intended primarily to hold impact protectors (the inflatable airbag) in place, rather than to provide comprehensive abrasion protection.
Important: If your airbag vest is intended to be worn alone (without a certified jacket underneath), it may need to meet higher abrasion requirements (Class A or above). The Class C certification assumes the vest will be worn with and supplement the protection offered by Class AAA, AA, A, or B garments.
Conclusion
EN 17092 is the essential standard for certifying motorcycle protective garments. The five classes (AAA, AA, A, B, C) provide a graduated system that matches protection levels to intended use. Understanding these classes, the core tests, and how EN 17092 interacts with EN 1621 standards is critical for anyone bringing a certified motorcycle protective product to the European market.
This article complements our previous guide on EN 1621-4 for inflatable airbag vests. Together, these two standards form the complete certification picture for motorcycle protective clothing.
Acknowledgment: The technical content of this article is based on publicly available information from SATRA, a leading independent authority on PPE testing and certification. If you would like a full list of reference sources, feel free to contact us—we are happy to share.
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