Victoria adopts ECE helmet ratings

Victoria's licencing authority has approved the use of helmets that meet the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) standards, with immediate effect. Queensland was the first Australian state to adopt the broader helmets standards laws earlier this year.

The move by VicRoads opens up the available pool of helmets which can be used by both riders and passengers. Previously, only helmets with AS1698 or AS/NZ1698 certification were legal, but now EXC can be added to that list. If a visor is fitted to the helmet, it must also meet the same requirements specified in the standard for the helmet to which it is attached.

For helmets that comply with ECE 22.05, the helmet must bear a label displaying an international approval mark. The label may, for example, appear as a sticker on the outside of the helmet or as a label sewn into the retention system of the helmet.
The mark will be in the form of a circle surrounding the letter "E", followed by the distinguishing number of the country that has granted approval. The number to the right of the "E" may vary from one model of helmet to another.

The mark must be accompanied by
•    The approval number under which approval was granted;
•    A ash and either the symbol "J", "P" or "NP", depending on whether the helmet does not have a lower face cover (J), has a protective lower face cover (P) or has a non-protective lower face cover (NP); and
•    A dash followed by the production serial number for the helmet concerned.

The broadening of the helmet laws is the start of a big month for Victorian motorcyclists, with lane filtering set to be officially introduced in September 2015. Or at least that’s what we're hearing — we're awaiting an update from VicRoads.