A new European standard for industrial safety helmets, EN 397:2025, replaces the existing EN 397:2012 standard and introduces more extensive safety requirements. This is reported by Prebes vzw, the Belgian professional association for prevention advisors. The standard, published in April 2025, is intended to provide broader head protection because the risk profile has changed: work at height has become more common, the risk of falls and impacts has increased, and visors and hearing protection are used more frequently.
Two helmet types with different levels of protection
The new standard distinguishes between two helmet types. Type 1 protects against impact from above up to 49 joules; a chin strap is optional, but if used it must have a retention strength of more than 150 newtons. Type 2 offers a higher level of protection, with impact protection from above up to 98 joules and at the sides, front and back up to 24.5 joules. For this type, a chin strap is mandatory, with a retention strength of more than 500 newtons.
Stricter basic and test requirements
New basic requirements apply to both helmet types: resistance to ignition, a penetration test for the ventilation openings, an ergonomics test for wearing comfort and fit, and an explicit sizing test. Accessories such as visors, ear defenders and lamps are now also tested together during certification; only combinations that have been tested together are considered compliant with the standard. Manufacturers must also have the so-called Helmet Positioning Index registered with the test laboratory. Additional application requirements have been added for specific working conditions, including low temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius, high temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius, electrical insulation, molten metal splashes and increased visibility.
Transition period runs until the end of 2027
Manufacturers may continue to produce helmets under both the old and the new standard until 16 December 2027. After that date, every newly manufactured helmet must comply with EN 397:2025. Helmets already certified under the old standard may still be sold and used after that date, as long as the CE certificate remains valid, the expiry date has not passed and the helmet is undamaged. According to Prebes, manufacturers will likely only switch over towards the end of the transition period, since the standard may still be amended. Organisations that purchase or manage helmets therefore do not yet need to specifically look for EN 397:2025 helmets. Prebes recommends taking stock of the helmets in use and their certification, analysing the risks per role and location, and determining whether type 1 or type 2 is required. Replacements can be planned based on the service life of the helmets. For new purchases, Prebes advises asking manufacturers about the HPI specification and checking the compatibility of accessories.
Context
EN 397 is the European standard that industrial safety helmets generally must meet in order to carry the CE mark as personal protective equipment, as helmet manufacturer JSP Safety explains in a technical guidance document. It states that EN 397:2025 replaces the standard EN 397:2012+A1:2012, and that helmets certified under earlier versions may remain on the market until their certificate expires. According to that guidance, the 1-metre drop height for the crown impact test has been replaced by a fixed velocity of 4.43 metres per second, while the energy of 49 joules remains unchanged. The earlier flame resistance test has also been replaced by an ignition resistance test, and the standard EN 50365 for electrical insulation has been added as a normative reference. This is in line with the new basic and application requirements described by Prebes.
Source: New standard EN 397:2025: what changes for your safety helmets, 23 October 2026
Also researched: EN 397:2025 Technical Guidance (JSP Safety)
