When and how can manufacturers, distributors and retailers request helmet models to be tested by SHARP?

SHARP is a consumer information scheme where most helmet models are selected for testing and rating based on public requests made through the SHARP website. The most requested models are shortlisted across a range of price bands and selected for testing. However, this process can lead to delays between the launch of a new motorcycle helmet model in the UK and the publication of its SHARP rating.

SHARP wishes to encourage greater collaboration with industry stakeholders, particularly through enabling the earliest possible publication of SHARP safety ratings so that they can be referenced once published. While SHARP maintains the integrity of its independent test process by purchasing helmets in the same way UK consumers do, it can also accept helmets supplied directly by manufacturers, distributors or retailers, provided they are supplied free of charge.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers can therefore help accelerate the publication of a SHARP star rating by directly requesting to test a particular helmet model and arranging for the supply of helmet samples free of charge for testing.

Where helmets are supplied directly by industry for testing, SHARP will independently purchase a helmet to validate the rating by repeating selected laboratory tests. This helps reduce the overall cost of testing, supports the publication of a greater number of ratings each year and aids the promotion of safer helmets, benefiting both consumers and industry.

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers wishing to request a SHARP rating for a helmet model can use the following industry-requested helmet testing routes:

1. To generate a SHARP rating for a helmet model already available on the UK market

  • A manufacturer, distributor or retailer may request a SHARP rating for a helmet model that has not yet been tested, but is already available on the UK market.
  • The manufacturer, distributor or retailer must supply, free of charge, seven samples of the helmet model to be rated.
  • These samples should ideally be supplied from retailer or distributor stock that is available for consumers to purchase on the UK market.
  • If these samples are provided directly from the manufacturer, SHARP will purchase validation sample(s) from retailer or distributor stock available for consumers to purchase on the UK market.
  • SHARP will test the samples and generate a provisional rating using the standard SHARP protocols. This provisional rating will be communicated to the requesting manufacturer or distributor.
  • Where validation is required, the validation sample(s) will be tested in accordance with SHARP validation protocols.
  • If the results of validation testing meet the defined acceptance criteria, the rating will be published.
  • The cost of testing all helmets and purchasing validation samples will be met by SHARP.
  • The SHARP safety rating for a helmet model may only be used in advertising or promotion of the helmet once it has been published by SHARP

2. To generate a SHARP rating for a helmet model that is not yet available on the UK market

a) If the helmet model is already available to consumers in markets outside the UK

  • Prior to the release of the helmet model into the UK market, SHARP can test and provisionally rate it using the process set out in Option 1, subject to the revisions below.
  • To be eligible through this route, the helmet model must already be available to consumers outside the UK and must be UNECE R22.06 certified.
  • Samples should ideally come from retailer or distributor stock available to consumers outside the UK and must be identical in construction and approval to the helmet model intended for the UK market.
  • When the helmet model becomes available on the UK market, SHARP will purchase validation sample(s) from retailer or distributor stock available for consumers to purchase on the UK market.
  • This will enable publication of the star rating at the earliest point after the helmet model becomes available on the UK market.

b) If the helmet model is a pre-production model and is not yet available to any consumers

  • Prior to the series production of a helmet model, SHARP can test and provisionally rate pre-production helmet models using the process set out in Option 1, subject to the revisions below.
  • To be eligible through this route, the helmet model must not yet be available to consumers, and UNECE R22.06 certification must be intended.
  • The cost of testing and procuring all test samples will be met by the manufacturer, with payment made directly to the contracted SHARP test laboratory.
  • When the helmet model becomes available on the UK market and UNECE R22.06 certification confirmed, SHARP will purchase validation sample(s) from retailer or distributor stock available for consumers to purchase on the UK market.
  • Once the provisional rating has been received, manufacturers, distributors or retailers can prepare materials ahead of the UK launch that refer to the SHARP rating for use once published
    The SHARP safety rating for a helmet model may only be used in advertising or promotion once it has been published by SHARP.
  • Where requested, SHARP may also be able to support research and development (R&D) testing of helmet prototypes, but a provisional rating will only be issued following testing and rating using SHARP protocols.

Helmet samples

The quantities and sizes of identical helmet samples required to generate a SHARP safety rating are:
3 x Medium (must fit headform size 570mm)
2 x Large (must fit headform size 590mm)
2 x Extra Large (must fit headform size 610mm)

In all cases, SHARP encourages manufacturers, distributors and retailers to liaise with each other so that validation samples are available for testing as soon as possible.

SHARP has the final and exclusive decision on accepting a helmet model into its testing programme, regardless of the method of supply.