In the mid-1990s, the European Union decided to reinforce the safety standards of riding helmets.
Backed up by its experience in car racing, GPA naturally concentrated on the manufacture of the first approved riding helmet.
Backed up by its experience in car racing, GPA naturally concentrated on the manufacture of the first approved riding helmet.
EUROPEEN 1384 : laid down by all the European countries and recognised by many countries worldwide (China, Japan, Australia, South America, etc.)
USAASTM : official mandatory standard
SEI : optional standard with more stringent requirements
GRANDE BRETAGNEKITEMARK : additional standard required in competition, by pony clubs and some associations
The GPA specific features
The specific technical feature of the GPA helmets is the creation of 3 outer shell sizes and 6 different sizes of inner head liners to ensure the helmet's best "retention" and a level of comfort adapted to each head size.
In order to best meet the safety requirements, GPA has not hesitated to invest in research and development and has chosen the best manufacturers of materials. By relying only on quality brands recognised for their performance, GPA thus guarantees that its products are based on the highest level of research and cutting-edge technology.
In order to best meet the safety requirements, GPA has not hesitated to invest in research and development and has chosen the best manufacturers of materials. By relying only on quality brands recognised for their performance, GPA thus guarantees that its products are based on the highest level of research and cutting-edge technology.
The approval tests
In order to obtain full official certification, the GPA helmets must successively undergo a series of tests. Explanations :
ROUND ANVIL TEST
Objective : to verify the even distribution of the shockwave in order to limit the risks of traumatism.
The GPA response : the helmet's outer shell absorbs and distributes the impact of the shockwave around the inner lining of the helmet
POINTED ANVIL TEST
Objective : to verify that a sharp object will not pierce the helmet
The GPA response : the helmet's outer shell ensures the maximum of resistance thanks to the use of highly resistant materials (e.g. carbon is 11 times more solid than steel).
The inner shell lining also plays a role in absorbing the shockwave.
HELMET RETENTION TEST
Objective : to verify that the helmet stays on in the event of a fall and that the harness strap system is not too long.
The GPA response : the helmet's harness strap system is anchored by 4 rivets and uses a self-locking buckle (Dual-Lock).
VISOR TEST
Objective : to verify the flexibility of the visor to prevent nasal fracture in the event of a fall.
The GPA response : the visors of the helmets are flexible, and some models even propose a visor that will detach in a fall
The GPA requirements are so demanding that the results of the helmet tests are on average 20% higher than the results recommended by the standard.
GPA also has private tests carried out by the leading Italian laboratories to ensure your optimum safety.
ROUND ANVIL TEST
Objective : to verify the even distribution of the shockwave in order to limit the risks of traumatism.
The GPA response : the helmet's outer shell absorbs and distributes the impact of the shockwave around the inner lining of the helmet
POINTED ANVIL TEST
Objective : to verify that a sharp object will not pierce the helmet
The GPA response : the helmet's outer shell ensures the maximum of resistance thanks to the use of highly resistant materials (e.g. carbon is 11 times more solid than steel).
The inner shell lining also plays a role in absorbing the shockwave.
HELMET RETENTION TEST
Objective : to verify that the helmet stays on in the event of a fall and that the harness strap system is not too long.
The GPA response : the helmet's harness strap system is anchored by 4 rivets and uses a self-locking buckle (Dual-Lock).
VISOR TEST
Objective : to verify the flexibility of the visor to prevent nasal fracture in the event of a fall.
The GPA response : the visors of the helmets are flexible, and some models even propose a visor that will detach in a fall
The GPA requirements are so demanding that the results of the helmet tests are on average 20% higher than the results recommended by the standard.
GPA also has private tests carried out by the leading Italian laboratories to ensure your optimum safety.
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