SIST EN 12492:2026

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2026
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 12492:2012
Alpinistična oprema - Alpinistične čelade - Varnostne zahteve in preskusne
metode
Mountaineering equipment - Helmets for mountaineers - Safety requirements and test
methods
Bergsteigerausrüstung - Bergsteigerhelme - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und
Prüfverfahren
Équipements d’alpinisme et d’escalade - Casques d’alpinistes - Exigences de sécurité et
méthodes d’essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12492:2025
ICS:
13.340.20 Varovalna oprema za glavo Head protective equipment
97.220.40 Oprema za športe na Outdoor and water sports
prostem in vodne športe equipment
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 12492
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.20 Supersedes EN 12492:2012
English Version
Mountaineering equipment - Helmets for mountaineers -
Safety requirements and test methods
Équipements d'alpinisme et d'escalade - Casques Bergsteigerausrüstung - Bergsteigerhelme -
d'alpinistes - Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und
Prüfverfahren
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 25 August 2025.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12492:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Requirements . 10
4.1 Construction requirements . 10
4.1.1 Materials . 10
4.1.2 Design . 10
4.1.3 Retention system . 10
4.1.4 Ventilation . 10
4.1.5 Ergonomics . 10
4.1.6 Weight information . 10
4.2 Performance requirements . 10
4.2.1 Shock absorption . 10
4.2.2 Penetration . 11
4.2.3 Retention system strength . 11
4.2.4 Retention system effectiveness (roll off) . 11
5 Test methods . 11
5.1 General examination of material and construction . 11
5.2 Retention system design . 11
5.3 Ergonomics . 12
5.3.1 General. 12
5.3.2 Procedure . 12
5.4 Sampling . 12
5.5 Helmet adjustment . 12
5.6 Conditioning . 12
5.6.1 General. 12
5.6.2 UV ageing . 13
5.6.3 Ambient conditioning . 13
5.6.4 “Thermal plus” conditioning . 14
5.6.5 “Thermal minus” conditioning . 14
5.7 Headforms . 14
5.8 Force transmission . 14
5.8.1 Impact points . 14
5.8.2 Principle . 14
5.8.3 Apparatus . 14
5.8.4 Procedure . 17
5.8.5 Report . 17
5.9 Resistance to penetration . 18
5.9.1 Impact area . 18
5.9.2 Principle . 18
5.9.3 Apparatus . 18
5.9.4 Procedure . 20
5.9.5 Report . 20
5.10 Determination of retention system strength . 20
5.10.1 Apparatus . 20
5.10.2 Procedure . 20
5.10.3 Report . 20
5.11 Retention system effectiveness . 20
5.11.1 Principle . 20
5.11.2 Apparatus . 20
5.11.3 Procedure . 21
5.11.4 Report . 23
6 Marking . 23
7 Manufacturer’s instructions and information . 23
Annex A (informative) Recommendations on the materials and construction for thermal
comfort of helmets for mountaineers . 24
Annex B (informative) Standards on mountaineering equipment . 25
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
Requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment aimed to be covered . 27
Bibliography . 29
European foreword
This document (EN 12492:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 158 “Head
protection”, the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2026 and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 12492:2012.
— the scope is extended to activities with similar hazards as in mountaineering, including, but not
limited to, climbing, caving, canyoning, rope courses and via ferrata climbing;
— the helmet positioning index (HPI) (3.9) has been added in the terms and definitions and test
methods;
— ergonomic requirements have been added;
— a weight requirement has been added;
— off-crown requirements have been added;
— retention system strength requirements and test method have changed;
— the test method to measure the force transmission has been modified using speed instead of the drop
height of the mass;
— the clause ‘Marking’ has been updated and the subclause ‘Labelling’ has been deleted;
— Annex B has been replaced by a new Annex A: ‘Recommendations on the materials and construction
for thermal comfort of helmets for mountaineers’;
— the Bibliography has been updated and replaced by the Annex B: ‘Standards on mountaineering
equipment’;
— Annex ZA has been updated.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
The intention of this document is to reduce the potential injury risk to the head during mountaineering
activities associated with the hazards but will not eliminate them completely. A proportion of the energy
of an impact is absorbed by the helmet, thereby reducing the force of the blow sustained by the head. The
structure of the helmet may be damaged whilst absorbing this energy and any helmet that sustains a
severe blow needs to be replaced even if damage is not apparent. There are limits to the amount of
protection that can be provided and wearing a helmet cannot always prevent death or long-term
disability. A helmet may only be a part of the protection that is required to carry out this activity.
Angled and tangential (rotational) impacts are one of the causes of head injuries. CEN/TC 158 has
published a new test method, EN 17950:2024. CEN/TC158 WG 13 requires more time to evaluate the test
method which then can be used in future revisions of this document.
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements and test methods for protective helmets for use in mountaineering
intended to protect the head of the user in order to reduce the risk of impact injury.
This document is also applicable to protective helmets used in activities with similar hazards as in
mountaineering, including, but not limited to, climbing, caving, canyoning, rope courses and via ferrata
climbing.
This document does not apply to protective helmets used by ski mountaineers as defined in
EN 18100:2025.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 960:2006, Headforms for use in the testing of protective helmets
EN 13087-1:2000, Protective helmets — Test methods — Part 1: Conditions and conditioning
EN 13087-5:2012, Protective helmets — Test methods — Part 5: Retention system strength
EN ISO 13688:2013, Protective clothing — General requirements (ISO 13688:2013)
ISO 6487:2015, Road vehicles — Measurement techniques in impact tests — Instrumentation
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
helmet for mountaineers
headwear primarily intended to protect the upper part of a wearer's head against hazards which might
occur during mountaineering, including, but not limited to, climbing, caving, canyoning, rope courses and
via ferrata climbing
Note 1 to entry: Helmet for mountaineers is hereafter referred to as helmet.
3.2
shell
structure that provides the general outer form of the helmet

As amended by EN 13087-1:2000/A1:2001.
As amended by EN ISO 13688:2013/A1:2021.
As amended by ISO 6487:2015/Amd 1:2017.
3.3
helmet type
category of helmets, which does not differ in such essential respects as the materials or dimensions or
construction of the helmet, of the retention system (3.6) or of the protective padding (3.5)
3.4
helmet size
range of helmet adjustment to the head
3.5
protective padding
material which is used to absorb impact energy
3.6
retention system
complete assembly by means of which the helmet is maintained in position on the head, including any
devices for adjustment of the system or to enhance the wearer's comfort
3.7
chin strap
part of the retention system (3.6) which passes under the wearer's jaw to retain the helmet in position
3.8
headform
shape replacing the head which is used for testing certain characteristics
Note 1 to entry: The headform is designed in accordance with EN 960:2006.
3.9
helmet positioning index
HPI
vertical distance measured on the longitudinal vertical plane, between the brow of the helmet (front part)
and the reference plane (B), when the helmet is placed on the appropriate reference headform (3.8)
Note 1 to entry: The longitudinal vertical plane and the reference plane are defined in EN 960:2006.
Note 2 to entry: See Figure 1.
Dimension in millimetres (with a tolerance of ±1 mm)

Key
1 helmet positioning index (HPI) AA’ AA’ plane, see EN 960:2006
2 crown area B reference plane
3 off-crown area C central vertical axis
Figure 1 — Helmet positioning index
3.10
accessory
additional device which can be attached to the helmet and are intended to be fully removable by the user,
but which provide no protective function to the wearer
Note 1 to entry: A helmet accessory can be a lamp, camera, etc.
4 Requirements
4.1 Construction requirements
4.1.1 Materials
When checked according to 5.1, for those parts of the helmet that come into contact with the skin,
materials which are known to be likely to cause skin irritation or any adverse effect on health shall not
be used. For a material not in general use, advice as to its suitability shall be sought before its
introduction.
Helmet materials which come, or could come into prolonged contact with the skin, shall be in accordance
with EN ISO 13688:2013, 4.2.
4.1.2 Design
When checked according to 5.1, there shall be no sharp edges, roughness or internal projection(s) on any
part of the helmet which is in contact or potential contact with the wearer when the helmet is worn, such
as is likely to cause injury to the wearer.
4.1.3 Retention system
The helmet shall be fitted with a retention system (3.6), including a chin strap. The chin strap shall be
adjustable in length. The part of the chin strap which comes into contact with the jaw shall have a
minimum width of 15 mm when tested according to 5.2.
4.1.4 Ventilation
The helmet shall be ventilated.
When checked according to 5.1, the overall sum of the ventilation areas shall not be less than 4 cm .
NOTE Holes that are designed to attach accessories (3.10) are not considered ventilation holes.
4.1.5 Ergonomics
The helmet shall be designed to minimize any discomfort to the wearer and shall remain in place when
fitted and fastened according to the manufacturer's instructions and information. When tested according
to 5.3, there shall only be YES responses recorded.
4.1.6 Weight information
Each helmet type shall be weighed using a weighing machine with an accuracy of 0,1 gram. Each
measurement shall be within the range of ±10 % compared to the weight claimed by the manufacturer in
subclause 6 f).
The tolerance indicated in 7 g) shall be no more than ±10 %.
NOTE The range of ±10 % covers the variability of 3 times the standard deviation in helmet production.
4.2 Performance requirements
4.2.1 Shock absorption
4.2.1.1 Crown top force transmission
When a helmet is tested according to 5.8 with the hemispherical striker described in 5.8.3.4, the force
transmitted to the headform shall not exceed 10 kN.
4.2.1.2 Off-crown and crown front, side and back force transmission
When a helmet is tested according to 5.8 with the flat striker described in 5.8.3.4, the force transmitted
to the headform shall not exceed 10 kN.
4.2.2 Penetration
When a helmet is tested according to 5.9, the two impact points shall be at least 50 mm apart from each
other. There shall be no contact between the striker described in 5.9.3.4 and the headform.
If this area has ventilation holes, the centre of a ventilation hole shall be impacted.
4.2.3 Retention system strength
When tested according to 5.10, the dynamic extension shall not exceed 35 mm and the residual extension
shall not exceed 25 mm. For this purpose, the extension shall include slippage of the fastening device.
Following the test, the retention system shall still permit the helmet to be released from the headform.
Damage to the retention system shall be accepted provided that the above requirements are met.
4.2.4 Retention system effectiveness (roll off)
When tested according to 5.11, for the front way and back way tests, the helmet shall not come off the
headform.
5 Test methods
5.1 General examination of material and construction
Confirm by reference to appropriate documentation (e.g. materials specification, safety data sheets
relating to the helmet), by normal or corrected vision and/or tactile examination and/or by measurement
of the helmet that it conforms to 4.1.1 and 4.1.2. Record if the requirements are fulfilled.
NOTE Examples of documents, which can be presented as evidence of chemical innocuousness, are given
below:
a) materials specifications;
b) safety data sheets relating to the materials;
c) information relating to the suitability of the materials for use with food, in medical devices, or other relevant
applications;
d) information relating to toxicological, allergenic, carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction or mutagenic investigations
on the materials;
e) information relating to ecotoxicological and other environmental investigations on the materials.
5.2 Retention system design
Check that the chin strap is adjustable in length.
The width of the chin strap shall be measured on sample 1 prior to testing and without any tension on
the strap. Record the result.
5.3 Ergonomics
5.3.1 General
The testing is a subjective assessment of the helmet by the test subject (the wearer) and the observer
during the test series. The sample and conditioning are as defined in Table 1.
The test subject shall be familiar with the use of helmets and shall select an appropriate helmet according
to the manufacturer's instructions and information for the assessment to start. If the helmet does not
properly fit on the wearer’s head, another test person with a suitable head shall be selected.
The observer shall record the test subject’s responses after the test series.
5.3.2 Procedure
The test subject shall don and adjust the helmet following the manufactu
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