Major hat rule change: what you need to know
What has happened?
In December it was announced the (BS) EN 1384 will be withdrawn from European Legislation. This change means hat manufacturers will not be able to CE mark (an indicator of a product’s compliance with EU legislation) hats that only meet this level of certification.
The complete removal of the standard has occurred as an agreement could not be reached on updating the base European standard.
“The withdrawal is due in part to the European working group responsible for the hat standard failing to reach an agreement on this overdue revision, and subsequently causing the commission to take this drastic step,” a statement from the British Equestrian Federation explained.
Is the (BS) EN1384 safe to ride in?
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) has told H&H there is no need for riders who wear (BS) EN 1384 but do not compete to change their hats.
“Hats certified to this standard have reduced injuries and saved countless lives,” said BETA’s Claire Williams. “The protection that (BS) EN 1384 offers has not changed.
“When used and fitted correctly, (BS) EN 1384 hats will continue to be as protective as they have been for the best part of 20 years, since the standard first appeared.”
What if I compete in affiliated equestrian events/riding clubs/Pony Club?
All of the sport’s main governing bodies have announced that they will be phasing out the (BS)EN1384 standard.
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The organisations have released the following guidelines:
British Eventing — will permit (BS) EN 1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter. All hats will be retagged in 2016 at which stage no hats made solely to (BS) EN 1384 will be tagged or permitted for use. *UPDATE: 26 August 15* The accepted BE hat standards for 2016 are:
- British: all PAS 015, VG1 (both must be kitemarked)
- European: VGI (must be kitemarked)
- American: All SEI ASTM F1163 04a onwards and SNELL E2001
- Australia & New Zealand: AS/NZS 3838 2003 onwards
Riding Clubs — will permit (BS) EN 1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter. All hats will be retagged in 2016 at which stage no hats made solely to (BS) EN 1384 will be tagged or permitted for use.
Pony Club — will permit (BS) EN 1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter. Full details of the revised hat tagging procedure will be communicated out to the membership and volunteers shortly.
*UPDATE: 16 March 15* British Dressage — will permit (BS) EN 1384 hats in 2015 and 2016. BD is planning to remove BS/EN1384 from the list of recommended standards from 1 January 2017, but may extended this depending on the publication of the new harmonised European standard at a future date.
British Showjumping — will permit (BS) EN 1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter.
British Horse Society — will permit (BS) EN 1384 hats in 2015 but not thereafter. From 1.1.2016 hats made solely to (BS) EN 1384 will not be permitted for use in BHS Approved Centres.
What happens if my hat is marked (BS) EN 1384 but also has another recognised standard?
The new regulations will only impact hats that only meet the (BS) EN 1384 standard. Where hats are dual badged — for example (BS) EN 1384 with another standard such as Snell or PAS015 — then the hat will continue to be legal in competition.
What should I do if I am buying a new hat?
Contact your preferred manufacturer and they should be able to give you further information regarding their brand.
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.