The anatomy of a label: what do the J, P or P/J markings on the label mean?
A helmet sold legally in the UK compliant with UN ECE R22.06 regulations will have a fabric label sewn to the chin strap. It is a combination of letters and numbers. The number “06” on the label shows that the helmet has been approved under the most recent 06 series of amendments to the UN ECE Regulation 22.
You will also see the letters J, P or P/J on the approval label. These markings show the type of helmet and how it has been approved for use under UN ECE R22.06.
Understanding them will help you choose the right helmet for the intended style of riding, and remind you to use your helmet correctly.
Other numbers on the label identify details such as the approval authority and the individual approval or production reference and are not relevant to understand the safety features of a helmet.
J: open-face helmet
A helmet marked J is an open-face helmet. It does not have an approved protective chin bar, so the rider’s face and chin are exposed should they be involved in a crash. Some helmets may be designed with a face covering or a chin bar, but this is not approved to provide protective chin-bar performance.
P: protective chin bar
A P marking means that the helmet has an approved protective chin bar. You will find a P marking on both conventional full-face helmets, and some modular (flip-front) designs.
If a flip-front helmet is approved only as P, the wearer must ride with the chin bar closed and securely locked. Even if the chin bar can be raised, the helmet is not certified for use while riding in that position. The chin bar should be raised only when the rider is stationary, or to help put the helmet on or take it off.
P/J: approved for use open or closed
A modular helmet marked P/J (sometimes shown as PJ) has been approved in two configurations:
- P, with the chin bar closed and secured; and
- J, with the chin bar in its manufacturer-approved open position.
This means that a P/J helmet may be used while riding with the chin bar up (open) only if the chin bar is in the manufacturer approved open or down (closed) position, and the manufacturer’s instructions are followed.
However, riding with the chin bar open leaves the face and chin exposed, as if the rider is wearing an open-face helmet. P/J approval means that the helmet complies with the relevant safety standards to ride wearing the helmet with the chin bar up; however, it does not provide full-face protection while in that position.
Adventure helmets
There is a new generation of helmet designs being marketed as “adventure” style helmets. This is not a separate helmet type. Some adventure helmets have a fixed protective chin bar and are approved as P helmets. Modular/system/flip-up adventure helmets typically fall into the category of P/J modular helmets if approved for use in both configurations.
Check the SHARP star rating and latch score
SHARP tests flip-front helmets (P and P/J) with the chin bar in its closed position as if it is a full-face helmet. This configuration should offer the wearer optimum protection in a crash and is directly comparable to tests using full-face helmets. The latch score will show how successfully a chin bar stays closed when subjected to impact testing in the SHARP lab. A 100% latch score indicates that the chin bar stayed closed during all tests. There are many good flip-front helmets that score as well in SHARP tests as full-face helmets.
- Adventure helmets with fixed chin bars will be categorised as a full-face helmet in the SHARP listings, and
- Modular adventure helmets will be categorised as system/modular/flip-up by SHARP.
Your ride; your style: Choose the right helmet for how you ride
The primary purpose of a motorcycle helmet is to protect the wearer’s head, but open-face helmets do not provide the same degree of face and chin protection as full-face helmets. Some helmet types also include an approved protective chin bar. In the case of a P/J certified helmet, riding with the chin bar open – even when following the manufacturer’s instructions – removes the lower-face and chin protection that a closed chin bar provides. The choice of helmet type will be down to the kind of riding you do, while how well it fits and how comfortable you feel wearing it are important factors too. The SHARP star rating provides additional information about the safety performance of the helmet in its approved configuration.
Be clear about the rules for your helmet
If you choose a flip-front, modular style helmet, check carefully to see if it is marked P or P/J so that you understand if you can ride wearing the helmet open, or if you can only ride wearing it closed. If buying a modular adventure helmet, take extra time to check if it is a P or P/J approved helmet.
