What CE Certification Means for Motorcycle Clothing (EN17092 Explained Simply)

What CE Certification Means for Motorcycle Clothing (EN17092 Explained Simply)

If you’ve ever looked at a piece of motorcycle clothing and seen a little “CE” mark on the label, you’ve probably wondered what it actually means. Maybe you’ve noticed phrases like Level 1 armor, EN17092, or CE Approved Garment — but few riders truly understand how this certification works, or why it matters so much.

Let’s change that.

Understanding CE certified motorcycle clothing isn’t about memorizing technical jargon — it’s about knowing how your gear is tested, what those standards protect you from, and how to choose clothing that truly has your back.

This is your straightforward guide to CE certification — explained simply, with no engineering degree required.

What Does “CE Certified” Actually Mean?

“CE” stands for Conformité Européenne, French for European Conformity. It’s a legal mark showing that a product meets European safety standards.

For motorcycle gear, CE certification means your clothing has been tested and proven to meet specific performance and safety criteria defined under EU Regulation (EU) 2016/425, which covers Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

In simple terms:

If your motorcycle jacket, trousers, gloves, or suit is CE certified, it has been independently tested to confirm it offers genuine protection against abrasion, tearing, and impact.

This is more than marketing — it’s safety you can trust.

Why CE Certification Matters

When you ride, your gear is your last line of defense.
The road is unpredictable — one small slip, and it’s your clothing that stands between your skin and the tarmac.

CE testing ensures your gear doesn’t just look protective — it actually is. Certified motorcycle clothing has been exposed to rigorous lab testing to replicate real-world crash scenarios: sliding on asphalt, tearing at high speed, and resisting burst seams.

Without CE certification, you’re essentially guessing whether your gear would perform in an accident.

And as any experienced rider knows — guessing isn’t protection.

The Standard Behind It: EN17092

The current European standard for protective motorcycle clothing is called EN17092. It replaced the older EN13595 standard (previously used for professional or racing gear) with a more practical, real-world approach.

EN17092 breaks protective clothing into different categories (A, AA, AAA, B, and C) — each reflecting a level of protection and type of use.

Here’s what those ratings mean in simple terms:

AAA – Maximum Protection

  • The highest level available for road riders.

  • Designed for track use, high speed, and maximum abrasion resistance.

  • Tested to survive longer slide times and stronger impacts.

  • Common in full suits or high-end technical jackets and trousers.

Think of AAA as “track-level protection” for road conditions.

AA – Balanced Protection for Real-World Riders

  • The most practical standard for touring, everyday riding and commuting.

  • Offers a balance of abrasion resistance, comfort, and wearability.

  • Tested to withstand substantial slides and seam tension, but built to be lighter and more flexible than AAA garments.

AA is the standard most riders should aim for — it protects you during real-life riding without feeling like you’re wearing armor plating.

A – Basic Protection

  • Entry-level rating for urban and low-speed riding.

  • Offers minimal abrasion and impact resistance.

  • Gear rated “A” is better than casual wear but not ideal for serious riders or longer journeys.

B – Abrasion Protection Only (No Armor)

  • Similar to “A”, but without any impact protectors (like shoulder or elbow pads).

  • Not recommended for road use unless layered over other protection.

C – Impact Protectors Only

  • Covers standalone protectors (like separate armor pieces, back protectors, or knee pads).

  • Usually used in conjunction with other garments.

How CE Testing Works

CE testing is carried out by independent laboratories authorized to evaluate motorcycle PPE under strict conditions.

Each garment is tested across several key performance areas:

1. Abrasion Resistance

Simulates sliding across asphalt at speed.
Testers use specialized machines with real road surfaces to measure how long the fabric lasts before wearing through.
The longer it lasts, the higher the rating.

2. Tear Strength

Ensures the fabric doesn’t rip open easily when stretched or pulled.
This matters because once a tear starts during a crash, it can compromise the entire garment.

3. Seam Burst Strength

Tests how well the stitching holds under pressure.
Seams are often the weakest point — a strong fabric is useless if the stitching fails.
EN17092 requires seams to meet specific burst strength requirements to maintain structural integrity during impact.

4. Impact Protectors (Armor)

For jackets, trousers, and suits, armor inserts are tested separately under EN1621 standards.
These impact protectors absorb and disperse energy, reducing the force transmitted to your body.

Understanding Labels and Tags

Every CE-certified motorcycle garment should come with a permanent label inside that includes:

  • The CE mark ✅

  • The standard number (EN17092)

  • The protection class (A, AA, AAA)

  • Pictograms showing the body parts covered

  • The manufacturer’s information and product name

If you can’t find these details, or the tag just says “CE tested” or “CE approved” without a class, be cautious — some brands use misleading terms.
The only way to be sure your clothing is genuinely certified is to see that EN17092 rating on the label.

CE Certification vs. Marketing Claims

Not all gear that mentions protection is actually certified.
Many brands use terms like “Kevlar-reinforced”, “abrasion-resistant”, or “motorcycle style” without submitting their products for official testing.

Here’s the truth:

Without CE certification, those claims are just words.

Certified gear undergoes third-party testing and is legally registered as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) under European law.
It’s traceable, verifiable, and accountable.

If a product isn’t CE certified, the manufacturer doesn’t carry that responsibility — and you, the rider, carry the risk.

Does CE Certification Apply to All Motorcycle Clothing?

Yes — if it’s intended to be worn while riding a motorcycle, it must meet CE requirements to be legally sold in the UK and EU as protective gear.

That includes:

  • Jackets

  • Trousers / jeans

  • Gloves

  • One-piece suits

  • Boots

Even casual-looking items (like hoodies or jeans marketed for riding) should have a CE label if they’re meant for motorcycling.

So next time you shop, flip the tag over — those few letters could make all the difference.

How to Choose the Right Level for You

Your ideal CE rating depends on how and where you ride:

Riding Type Recommended CE Level Why
City commuting AA Great balance of comfort and protection for stop-and-go traffic
Short urban rides / scooter use A Light, flexible, good for low speeds
High-speed riding AAA Maximum protection for long distances
Track use AAA (professional) Designed for extreme performance conditions

Remember — even A-rated gear is better than non-certified clothing.
CE certification means your gear has proven data behind its protection.

The Real Value: Peace of Mind

CE certification isn’t just a regulation — it’s reassurance.
It means someone has tested, measured, and verified your gear to protect you in the moments you can’t control.

That label on the inside of your jacket? It’s a silent promise:

“If something goes wrong, I’m built to help you walk away.”

That’s worth more than any logo or trend.

The Future of CE Certified Motorcycle Clothing

As motorcycle culture evolves, so does the gear that supports it.
Riders today expect more than just safety — they want comfort, versatility, and design that fits their lifestyle.

The next generation of CE certified motorcycle clothing is already reflecting this shift — combining technical standards with modern style and sustainability.

Soon, CE certification won’t be something riders look for — it’ll be something they simply expect.

Because the best gear doesn’t just protect your body — it reflects your values.

Final Thoughts

Understanding CE certification isn’t just for professionals or engineers — it’s for anyone who rides.
When you choose CE-certified motorcycle clothing, you’re choosing gear that’s been proven to perform when it matters most.

At Santos&Stone, we believe true protection comes from knowledge as much as from materials.
When riders understand what those labels mean, they make smarter choices — and that’s how real safety starts

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