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ECE 22.05 vs 22.06: what changed

ECE 22.06 is the newer version of the UN helmet standard. Here's what its tests involve, from the regulation itself, what SHARP and GOV.UK say changed, what it means if your helmet is 22.05, and how to tell the two apart. Every point is numbered to its source, with the regulation's paragraph numbers.

At a glance

  • ECE 22.06 is the 06 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 22, in force from 3 January 2021. A helmet or visor approved under it has an approval number starting 06 (paragraphs 5.1.2 and 5.2.2).[1]
  • SHARP describes the change as the test speed going from 7.5 m/s (22.05) to 8.2 m/s (22.06). In the 22.06 text, 7.5 m/s is still the speed of the main impact test, and 8.2 m/s is a separate high-energy test (paragraph 7.3.1.4).[2][3][1]
  • SHARP and GOV.UK say 22.05 helmets are still legal to wear in the UK, so SHARP says there's no need to rush out and replace yours.[4][5]
  • The regulation doesn't say which of its tests are new. So apart from SHARP's points and the rules for phasing out older approvals, this page doesn't say what 22.05 lacked.[1]

What 22.06 is

22.06 is the 06 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 22, in force from 3 January 2021, and SHARP says its tests are more like real-world accidents.[1][4]

Technical detail (3 points)
  • 22.06 is the 06 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 22, "Uniform provisions concerning the approval of protective helmets and their visors for drivers and passengers of motor cycles and mopeds". The text we read (Revision 5, 24 August 2021) gives the 06 series' date of entry into force as 3 January 2021.[1]
  • Revision 5 says it "is meant purely as documentation tool": the legally binding texts are the UN working party documents it lists, which we haven't read.[1]
  • SHARP says it took 23 years to bring in the new standard, and that "The new tests that helmets have to pass are more akin to real-world accidents and take into account the different types of injuries sustained in both high-speed crashes and low-speed tumbles."[4]

Impact tests: where and how fast

To be approved under 22.06, a helmet is dropped onto a steel anvil on its front, side, crown and rear at 7.5 m/s, on at least three more points from a set list of 12, and in faster (8.2 m/s) and slower (6.0 m/s) drops, and must keep the jolt to the head within set limits.[1]

Front7.5 m/sCrown7.5 m/sRear7.5 m/sSide7.5 m/sChin bar6.0 m/s
  • The chin bar impact is only for helmets with a protective chin bar, on the flat anvil only, after the other four (paragraphs 7.3.1.4 and 7.3.4.1).[1]
  • Plus at least three more impacts, on another helmet, at points chosen from a list of 12 (paragraph 7.3.4.2.1).[1]
Illustration: where the main impact test hits a full-face helmet, and how fast (paragraphs 7.3.1.4, 7.3.4.1 and 7.3.4.2). The dots show roughly where each point is, not the regulation's exact measurements.[1]
Technical detail (6 points)
  • The helmet is fitted to a metal test head (a "headform") and dropped in a guided free fall onto a steel anvil, either flat or shaped like a kerbstone, while instruments record how hard the head is jolted (paragraphs 7.3.1.1 and 7.3.2.3).[1]
  • Main test: four impacts on one helmet, at the front, one side, the crown and the rear, at 7.5 m/s on either anvil. A helmet with a protective chin bar also takes a fifth impact on the chin bar, at 6.0 m/s on the flat anvil only (paragraphs 7.3.1.4, 7.3.4.1 and 7.3.4.2).[1]
  • Extra points: at least three more impacts on another helmet, at points chosen from a list of 12 around the front, sides, rear and upper part of the helmet, spaced at least 130 to 150 mm apart depending on the headform size (paragraph 7.3.4.2.1).[1]
  • High and low energy: on the helmet in its basic set-up, a high-energy impact at 8.2 m/s (flat anvil only) and a low-energy impact at 6.0 m/s (either anvil) (paragraph 7.3.1.4).[1]
  • Pass marks: peak acceleration of the test head no more than 275 g in the main, extra-point and high-energy tests, and no more than 180 g in the low-energy test. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC, a figure worked out from the acceleration over the length of the impact) must stay at or below 2,400 for the main and extra-point tests, 2,880 for high energy and 1,300 for low energy. The helmet must not come off the test head (paragraph 7.3.6).[1]
  • Before testing, helmets are kept at room conditions, heated to 50 °C, cooled to −10 °C, or exposed to ultraviolet light and then sprayed with water (paragraph 7.2). Helmets sold with a visor are tested with it closed, and with any sun visor down (paragraphs 7.3.1.3.3 and 7.3.1.3.4).[1]

The rotational (oblique) impact test

A helmet is also dropped at 8.0 m/s onto an anvil angled at 45 degrees, to measure how much the head rotates in a glancing blow, with limits it must stay within.[1]

45°8.0 m/sHead rotationmeasured
  • The anvil is steel, covered in abrasive paper. Five impact sites, split across two helmets: front, front-right, rear-right, rear and left side (Annex 7, paragraphs 3.2.2 and 3.5).[1]
Illustration: the oblique impact test: the helmet on its test head is dropped onto an angled anvil, and instruments measure how the head rotates (Annex 7, paragraphs 1, 3.2.2 and 3.4).[1]
Technical detail (5 points)
  • An oblique impact is a glancing blow rather than a straight-on one. In this test the helmet on its test head is dropped at 8.0 m/s onto a steel anvil cut at 45 degrees and covered in abrasive paper, and instruments measure how the head rotates (Annex 7, paragraphs 1, 3.2.2 and 3.4).[1]
  • Five impact sites split across two helmets: front, front-right, rear-right, rear and left side, one impact per site (Annex 7, paragraph 3.5).[1]
  • Pass marks: peak rotational acceleration (how quickly the head's spin speeds up) no more than 10,400 radians per second squared at every site, and a Brain Injury Criterion (BrIC, worked out from how fast the head turns about each axis) no higher than 0.78 (paragraph 7.13.1).[1]
  • Test labs must keep the raw data from this test so it's available "for the purpose of improvement of the Regulation at a later stage" (paragraph 8.2).[1]
  • A separate test checks that parts sticking out of the shell (such as visor fittings) and the shell's surface don't snag: either a drop at 8.5 m/s onto an angled anvil fitted with steel bars or abrasive paper, or a sliding carriage test (paragraphs 6.6, 7.4.1 and 7.4.2).[1]

Visors and sun visors

A visor must let through at least 80% of light, or down to 35% if it's marked "DAYTIME USE ONLY"; for roads in Great Britain, GOV.UK says one letting through less than 50% can't legally be used.[1][6]

Clear (100%)Dark (0%)80%35%20%50%GOV.UK, GB roadsUN Regulation No. 22
  • 80% The minimum for a visor with no marking (paragraph 6.16.3.4).[1]
  • 35% The lowest allowed for a visor marked "DAYTIME USE ONLY" (paragraph 6.16.3.4).[1]
  • 20% The lowest for photochromic or liquid crystal visors, also marked "DAYTIME USE ONLY" (paragraph 6.16.3.4).[1]
  • 50% GOV.UK: visors letting through less than this "cannot legally be used on the road" in Great Britain.[6]
  • The regulation allows daytime-only visors down to 35% (20% photochromic or liquid crystal), while GOV.UK says under 50% can't legally be used on roads in Great Britain. We show both without interpreting them.[1][6]
Illustration: how much light a visor lets through, from clear (left) to dark (right), with the limits in the regulation (above the bar) and GOV.UK's point for roads in Great Britain (below it). The two sources differ.[1][6]
Technical detail (7 points)
  • A visor must let through at least 80% of light. A tinted visor letting through between 35% and 80% (down to 20% for photochromic or liquid crystal visors) is also allowed if it's marked "DAYTIME USE ONLY" or with the matching symbol (paragraph 6.16.3.4).[1]
  • Visors with that marking must come with the warning that they "are not suitable for use during the hours of darkness or in conditions of poor visibility" (paragraph 14.6.3.1).[1]
  • For the UK, GOV.UK says "Visors that transmit less than 50% of visible light do not fully comply with any of the standards above and cannot legally be used on the road", and that visors marked "Daytime Use Only" should only be used in daytime.[6]
  • High-speed particle test: a 6 mm steel ball is fired at 60 m/s at the visor in front of each eye, after it has been heated to 50 °C or cooled to −10 °C. The visor must not break through, bend enough to mark paper behind it, or come out of its mounting (paragraph 7.8.2.3 and Annex 17).[1]
  • Visors are also tested for scratch resistance, haze, distortion and whether traffic-light colours can still be recognised through them (paragraphs 6.16.3.5 to 6.16.3.8 and 7.8.3). Photochromic visors (which darken in sunlight) are tested both clear and darkened (paragraph 7.14).[1]
  • A visor must be removable, and you must be able to move it out of your line of sight with one hand (a helmet without chin protection can be exempt if it carries a warning label) (paragraph 6.16.1). An anti-mist ("MIST RETARDANT") claim is optional and has its own test (paragraph 6.16.3.9).[1]
  • Sun visors (the regulation's "sun shield", a tinted screen used with a clear visor) must let through more than 20% of light, not block the field of vision, and move out of view separately from the visor with a simple movement (paragraphs 2.8.1, 6.17.1 and 6.17.2).[1]

Accessories and intercoms

Only accessories tested when the helmet was approved keep its approval valid, and the regulation says the weight marked on the helmet should include every accessory in the box.[1]

Technical detail (3 points)
  • The regulation defines an accessory as "any object intended to integrate the secondary functionalities of the helmet (e.g. tear off inner visor, electronic devices and their support)" (paragraph 2.22).[1]
  • Helmets sold with accessories are checked with and without them, for example for energy absorption, sharp edges and field of vision. Accessories must be fitted as the helmet maker instructs, and "Only accessories tested during the type approval procedure of the helmet keep the type approval valid" (paragraph 7.3.1.3.5).[1]
  • The helmet must be marked with its maximum weight, to the nearest 50 g, and the regulation says that weight should include every accessory supplied in the box, fitted or not (paragraph 14.3).[1]

Chin strap and buckle

The chin strap must be at least 20 mm wide with red release parts, and is tested for strength, slipping, and whether the helmet tips off the test head.[1]

Technical detail (6 points)
  • The chin strap must be at least 20 mm wide, have no chin cup, and have a way to adjust and hold its tension (paragraphs 6.11.1 to 6.11.3).[1]
  • Double-D and sliding-bar fastenings need a red pull tab at least 10 by 20 mm. On a quick-release buckle, the parts you press or pull to open it must be red (paragraphs 6.11.6 and 6.11.7).[1]
  • Strength test: a 10 kg weight dropped 750 mm loads the strap system, and the loading point may move no more than 35 mm during the drop and 25 mm two minutes afterwards (paragraph 7.6).[1]
  • Roll-off test: a 10 kg weight dropped 0.5 m pulls the back of the helmet forwards, and the helmet must not tip more than 30 degrees on the test head. Modular helmets are tested both open and closed (paragraph 7.7).[1]
  • Straps may slip no more than 10 mm after 500 back-and-forth cycles, and worn straps must hold 3 kN where the wear test applies. Quick-release buckles go through 5,000 open-and-close cycles and 48 hours of salt spray, then must hold 2.0 kN (paragraphs 7.10 to 7.12).[1]
  • On a modular helmet, the chin bar needs a lock that holds it in place through the impact and roll-off tests, with a red control (paragraph 6.12).[1]

Sizes and shells

Every shell size of an approved helmet must meet the regulation, and each helmet is marked with its size, year of production and maximum weight.[1]

Technical detail (4 points)
  • One approved helmet type can come in several shell sizes, as long as the shell design stays the same and every size meets the regulation (paragraph 2.17.2).[1]
  • The largest size of each shell and padding combination is tested for impacts, rotation and rigidity, and two helmets in each smaller test-head size are impact tested, one hot and one cold. The extra-point, high and low energy and strap tests use whichever size is likely to do worst (paragraph 7.1).[1]
  • There are six test heads, from 495 mm to 625 mm around. Helmets of size 62 or larger are tested on the biggest, and size 48/49 helmets are approved without extra tests if the type already includes size 50 (paragraphs 5.1.13 and 7.3.3.2, and footnote 4 to paragraph 7.3.1.3.1).[1]
  • The helmet must be marked with its size (in letters and cm), its year of production and its maximum weight (paragraphs 4.1.1 and 14.3). It must also carry the label "For adequate protection, this helmet must fit closely and be securely attached. Any helmet that has sustained a violent impact should be replaced" (paragraph 14.1).[1]

What changed from 22.05

SHARP says the test speed went up from 7.5 m/s to 8.2 m/s and that a 22.06 helmet offers better protection, but the 22.06 text doesn't mark which of its tests are new.[2][3][4][1]

Technical detail (4 points)
  • SHARP gives the impact test speed as 7.5 metres per second for UN ECE Regulation 22.05 and 8.2 m/s for 22.06. SHARP's own tests go to 8.5 m/s.[2][3]
  • In the 22.06 text, 7.5 m/s is still the speed of the main impact test, and 8.2 m/s is the speed of the separate high-energy test (paragraph 7.3.1.4). We haven't read the 22.05 text, so we can't check its speeds.[1]
  • SHARP says the standard and testing process for ECE R22-06 helmets is higher than for R22-05 helmets, "and consequently a helmet marked ECE R22-06 offers better protection to riders".[4]
  • Revision 5 sets out the 06 series requirements without marking which are new, and doesn't include the 22.05 text. So it can't tell us which of the tests above (for example the rotational test, extra points, high and low energy tests, particle test or accessory checks) 22.05 didn't have.[1]

Phasing out 22.05 approvals

Counting from 3 January 2021: after 18 months (3 July 2022), new approvals must meet 22.06; after 30 months (3 July 2023), older approval marks can't be applied to helmets; after 36 months (3 January 2024), countries may (not must) ban sales of helmets that don't meet 22.06.[1]

Technical detail (3 points)
  • The regulation counts from the official date the 06 series came into force (3 January 2021, from its cover page), so 18 months is 3 July 2022, 30 months 3 July 2023 and 36 months 3 January 2024. Paragraph 15.1.2: "As from 18 months after the official date of entry into force of the 06 series of amendments, no Contracting Party applying this Regulation shall grant approvals and extension unless the helmet or visor type to be approved meets the requirements of this Regulation as amended by the 06 series of amendments."[1]
  • Paragraph 15.1.3: "As from 30 months after the official date of entry into force of the 06 series of amendments, all the Contracting Parties applying this Regulation shall prohibit the application of approval marks on helmets and visors if they refer to type approvals granted under the preceding series of amendments to this Regulation."[1]
  • Paragraph 15.1.4: "As from 36 months after the official date of entry into force of the 06 series of amendments, Contracting Parties applying this Regulation may prohibit the sale of helmets and visors which do not meet the requirements of the 06 series of amendments to this Regulation." It says "may", not "shall".[1]

If your helmet is 22.05

22.05 helmets are still legal in the UK, so SHARP says there's no need to replace yours straight away, though given the choice it recommends a 22.06 one.[4][5]

Technical detail (3 points)
  • ECE R22-05 helmets worn in the UK remain compliant, so SHARP says "you do not need to rush out and replace your helmet immediately". R22-05 helmets may still be on sale in shops.[4]
  • GOV.UK lists both UNECE Regulation 22.05 and 22.06 among the standards a helmet worn on the road can meet.[5]
  • Given a choice between a helmet marked 05 and one marked 06, SHARP recommends the 06 one "so that you benefit from the higher safety standards and longer life before it needs replacing". It also says fit and comfort come first.[4]

How to tell them apart

Look at the approval number on the label sewn to the chin strap: if its first two digits are 06, the helmet is approved under 22.06.[1][7]

The approval numberE4061406/J-19521234
  1. E4 A circle around E and the number of the country that approved it: E 4, the Netherlands
  2. 06 First two digits: the series of amendments (06)
  3. /J A slash and the type: J, no lower face cover
  4. -1952 A dash and the production serial number
  5. 061406 The approval number
Illustration: the regulation's own example approval mark (Annex 2A), drawn by us on one line, with each part labelled as paragraphs 5.1.2 and 5.1.4.1 and Annex 2A describe it.[1]
Technical detail (7 points)
  • The first two digits of the approval number show the series of amendments, "at present 06" (paragraph 5.1.2). Visors approved on their own get a number that starts the same way (paragraph 5.2.2), and GOV.UK says a visor's will start 05 or 06.[1][6]
  • The approval mark is a circle around the letter E and the number of the country that approved it, then the approval number, a slash and the helmet type, then a dash and a production serial number (paragraph 5.1.4.1). The regulation's example, E4 (the Netherlands) with 061406/J, is an open-face helmet approved under the 06 series (Annex 2A).[1]
  • A helmet sold in the UK that complies with R22.06 has a fabric label sewn to the chin strap. It shows an E in a circle with a number for the country that approved it (E11 is the UK, E3 Italy), "06" for the standard, and a letter for the type.[7][4]
  • The regulation says the label is sewn to the retention system (the chin strap and its fastenings), unless another way of fixing it meets the same rules, and the mark may include a barcode or QR code (paragraphs 5.1.4.1.5 and 5.1.10).[1]
  • Type letters in the regulation: J (no chin cover), P (protective chin bar), P/J (a movable or detachable chin bar, approved both with and without it in place) and NP (a chin cover that doesn't protect the chin, which must be marked "Does not protect chin from impacts") (paragraphs 5.1.4.1.2.1 and 6.2.2).[1]
  • SHARP: a modular (flip-up) helmet marked P/J is approved both closed and in its maker-approved open position. A flip-up approved only as P must be ridden with the chin bar closed and locked.[7]
  • SHARP says an R22-06 helmet should say ECE R22-06 on the outside, at the back of the neck area.[4]

Sources

  1. [1] UN Regulation No. 22, Revision 5 (UNECE, 24 August 2021), E/ECE/324/Rev.1/Add.21/Rev.5: the 06 series text, checked 11 Oct 2026
  2. [2] SHARP: SHARP testing, checked 11 Oct 2026
  3. [3] SHARP: Does SHARP work? YES, it does! (1 Jun 2026), checked 11 Oct 2026
  4. [4] SHARP: ECE R22-06: what you need to know about the new helmet standard (4 Sep 2024), checked 11 Oct 2026
  5. [5] GOV.UK: Motorcycle helmets and safety equipment, checked 11 Oct 2026
  6. [6] GOV.UK: Motorcycle helmets, visors and goggles (updated 22 Jul 2025), checked 11 Oct 2026
  7. [7] SHARP: The anatomy of a label: what do the J, P or P/J markings mean? (23 Sep 2026), checked 11 Oct 2026

GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk and SHARP content is published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Quotes are exact; other points are summaries of the source. Each source shows the date we last checked it.

Safety ratings and test results: SHARP, Department for Transport. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Helmet Scout isn’t connected to or endorsed by SHARP or the Department for Transport.