Expect to see some changes in European motorcycle gear, thanks to recent proposed legislation from the EU parliament.
Visordown is reporting the European Parliament has added motorcycle gear to a list of protective gear covered under new legislation. Under the new rules, the listed equipment must carry the tag of CE approval, meaning it passes testing to ensure it lives up to its claims of protective capability.
The EU already requires CE testing for motorcycle gloves, boots, and armour, and helmets and visors carry their own certification. Presumably, the new legislation will cover items like protective jackets and pants.
Alternatively, what we may see is instead of across-the-board CE approval of all Euro gear (brands like Alpinestars, Dainese, etc.), the manufacturers may instead produce EU-friendly gear, and gear for other markets. This is already happening in the helmet segment.
Currently, the legislation hasn’t passed yet — it may take years for the changes to take effect, or they may not pass.
Do they require that you wear it or just that the available gear has the rating? For example the boots and gloves already requiring the ce rating.
I think currently the CE rating is strictly voluntary by the manufacturer ?
Just because it passes doesn’t mean you have to use it.
It will just be that if you market something as X, it had better conform to the standards that apply to X. This is pretty typical in the European market. I suppose it could help keep junk off the market, in theory.