English Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-10-07 Origin: Site
CE EN 1077 and CE EN 1078 are both mandatory European safety standards, but they govern different sports: EN 1077 applies to ski and snowboard helmets, while EN 1078 applies to bicycle, skateboard, and roller skating helmets. The key difference is that EN 1077 requires a penetration resistance test to protect against ski pole tips and tree branches, a test EN 1078 does not include. Any helmet sold in the EU for these activities must carry a CE mark backed by the relevant standard.
For sports helmet manufacturers and distributors sourcing products for the European market, understanding exactly which standard applies — and what each one tests for — is essential for product compliance, liability protection, and accurate marketing claims.
CE EN 1077 is the European safety standard specifically designed for helmets used in alpine skiing and snowboarding. It covers two helmet classes — Class A (hard shell, full coverage, designed for higher speeds and racing) and Class B (lighter weight, often with ventilation, designed for recreational skiing with slightly reduced coverage).
EN 1077 requires helmets to pass tests for:
Shock absorption — measuring how well the helmet reduces impact force to the head
Retention system strength — ensuring the chin strap holds under load
Rigidity — confirming the shell maintains its structural integrity under pressure
Penetration resistance — a test unique to EN 1077, which checks that a sharp striker (simulating a ski pole tip or tree branch) cannot pierce the shell
Field of vision — ensuring the helmet does not obstruct peripheral or downward sight lines needed while skiing
CE EN 1078 is the European safety standard for helmets used in cycling, skateboarding, and roller skating. Like EN 1077, it is a mandatory CE-marked standard, but its test requirements are built around the specific risks of wheeled sports rather than alpine terrain.
EN 1078 requires helmets to pass tests for:
Shock absorption — similar in principle to EN 1077, but calibrated for cycling-related impact scenarios
Retention system strength — chin strap and buckle performance under load
Retention system stability — ensuring the helmet does not roll off the head during a fall
Extent of coverage — confirming the shell protects the areas most commonly impacted in bike and skate accidents
For a full breakdown of these requirements, see our guide to CE EN 1078.
The main difference is the penetration resistance test: EN 1077 requires it, EN 1078 does not. This reflects the distinct hazards of each sport. Skiers face the risk of sharp, pointed objects — ski pole tips, tree branches, ice edges — striking the helmet at speed, so EN 1077 mandates a test where a pointed striker is dropped onto the shell to confirm it cannot penetrate through to the head. Cyclists and skaters are more likely to experience blunt, rolling, or sliding impacts against pavement, which is why EN 1078 focuses more heavily on retention stability and coverage area instead.
The table below summarizes the core distinctions:
Test Requirement | CE EN 1077 (Ski) | CE EN 1078 (Bike) |
|---|---|---|
Shock absorption | Required | Required |
Retention system strength | Required | Required |
Penetration resistance | Required (unique to EN 1077) | Not required |
Retention system stability | Not specified | Required |
Field of vision test | Required | Not applicable |
Helmet classes | Class A and Class B | Single standard |
A helmet can technically be tested and certified under both standards, but in practice, few helmets are designed to meet both because the shell construction needed for penetration resistance (EN 1077) differs from the lighter, more ventilated builds optimized for cycling under EN 1078. Manufacturers producing cross-sport helmets — for example, a multi-use helmet marketed for skiing, skating, and biking — should verify independently that the shell passes each standard's distinct test battery rather than assuming one certification covers the other.
Choosing the correct certification matters because selling a bike helmet labeled for ski use (or vice versa) without the correct testing can create liability exposure and regulatory non-compliance in EU markets. Buyers sourcing helmets for alpine resorts, ski rental shops, or winter sports retailers should confirm EN 1077 certification and class (A or B) based on intended use. Buyers sourcing for cycling, bike-share programs, or skate parks should confirm EN 1078 certification specifically.
As an OEM/ODM sports helmet manufacturer with 28 years of experience producing both ski helmets and bicycle helmets, we test and certify each product line to the standard that matches its actual use case, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Is CE EN 1077 mandatory for all ski helmets sold in Europe?
Yes. Any helmet marketed for alpine skiing or snowboarding in the EU must carry a CE mark backed by EN 1077 testing before it can legally be sold.
What is the difference between EN 1077 Class A and Class B?
Class A helmets offer full shell coverage and are built for higher-speed skiing and racing, while Class B helmets are lighter and better ventilated but offer slightly reduced coverage, making them suited for recreational skiing.
Does EN 1078 apply to electric bike or e-scooter helmets?
EN 1078 covers conventional cycling, skateboarding, and roller skating helmets; e-bike and e-scooter helmets intended for higher speeds may require additional certification depending on local regulations, so manufacturers should confirm requirements with their target market's regulatory body.
Can one factory produce helmets certified to both EN 1077 and EN 1078?
Yes, an experienced sports helmet manufacturer can produce and certify both ski and bike helmets, but each product line must be independently tested and certified to its own applicable standard.
Looking for a manufacturing partner who can deliver both EN 1077-certified ski helmets and EN 1078-certified bike helmets? Contact our team to discuss OEM/ODM solutions for your market.
