Overview
ISO 10256-2:2024 - Protective equipment for use in ice hockey - Part 2: Head protectors for skaters - specifies performance requirements and test methods for head protectors (helmets) intended to reduce head injury risk in ice hockey. The standard applies to head protectors worn by ice hockey players (skaters) - excluding goalkeepers - and to referees. This second edition updates and reorganizes the 2016 edition and aligns measurement and test methods with related European standards.
Key topics and technical requirements
The document defines mandatory topics, test areas and procedures used by manufacturers and test laboratories:
- Ergonomics
- Fit and comfort assessments; placing and adjusting headforms during tests.
- Innocuousness (materials and design)
- Safety of materials and absence of harmful features or edges.
- Markings and user information
- Required labels, instructions and sizing/positioning guidance.
- Protected area
- Definition of the test area, ear aperture and ventilation requirements.
- Penetration resistance
- Penetration (test blade) procedures to check resistance to sharp impacts.
- Field of vision
- Measurement method and tolerances to ensure adequate vision when worn.
- Shock absorbing capacity
- Impact testing procedures (including guided fall impact in Annex A) to evaluate energy attenuation.
- Retention system
- Requirements for straps, extensibility, strength and releasing force to ensure secure retention under dynamic loads.
Test methods cover sampling, conditioning temperatures, apparatus (e.g., headforms, monorail drop assemblies), verification procedures (spherical impactor), impact sites, tolerances and reporting requirements.
Practical applications and users
ISO 10256-2:2024 is used to ensure consistent safety, performance and conformity of hockey helmets. Primary users include:
- Helmet manufacturers and designers - for product design, compliance and marketing claims.
- Independent test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform standardized impact, penetration and retention tests.
- Sports federations, leagues and rinks - for procurement specifications and safety policies.
- Regulatory authorities and conformity assessment organizations - to reference in approvals and legal frameworks.
- Teams, equipment managers and end users - to understand labeling, fitting and limitations of certified head protectors.
Adoption of the standard helps reduce head injury risk by standardizing test-based performance criteria and improving helmet quality across suppliers.
Related standards
- ISO 10256-1:2024 - General requirements for ice hockey protective equipment.
- EN 13087-6:2012 - Field of vision test methods (alignment of measurement methodology).
- EN 960:2006 - Headforms for helmet testing.
- ISO 6487:2015 - Instrumentation for impact tests.
Keywords: ISO 10256-2:2024, ice hockey head protectors, hockey helmets standard, performance requirements and test methods, shock absorption testing, penetration test, retention system, field of vision.
