ECE 22.06 Certified Helmets — Standard, Brands & Org Acceptance

What ECE 22.06 Certification Means

ECE Regulation 22 is the helmet standard governing the European Economic Area, mandatory across the EU and accepted in 50+ countries. Version 22.06 replaced 22.05 in 2020 and became mandatory for new homologations in January 2024 — the first major update in two decades. Unlike DOT, which is self-certified, every ECE batch is independently lab-tested by an accredited European technical service before the cert is issued.

Both ECE 22.05 and ECE 22.06 helmets are still legal across the EU and accepted at most US motorcycle track events; 22.06 is the current version, but 22.05 isn't deprecated. Most US club orgs cite "ECE 22.05+" in their rulebooks, which means any helmet stamped 22.05 or 22.06 will satisfy them.

What ECE 22.06 Adds Beyond ECE 22.05

The 22.06 update tightened the standard significantly:

• Rotational acceleration test. Helmets are dropped onto angled anvils that induce twisting motion on the headform, mimicking real crash dynamics. Modern brain-injury research has shown rotational impacts cause more long-term damage than linear ones.
• 18 impact points tested vs ECE 22.05's 5. The new standard hits more locations on the shell, including the previously-untested side and crown.
• Higher and lower impact velocities both tested. ECE 22.06 covers a wider speed range — both low-speed urban impacts and high-speed track crashes.
• Visor abrasion, fogging, and light-transmission tests. The visor itself must meet new optical standards.
• Modular helmets tested in both open and closed positions. ECE 22.05 only tested closed.

The result: ECE 22.06 is closer to Snell M2025 in protection scope than to the older 22.05 standard, and arguably exceeds it on rotational acceleration coverage.

How to Find & Read an ECE 22.06 Helmet Label

Pull back the chinstrap. Sewn into the strap or on a small white tag attached to it, you'll find text like "E1 22-06 / ABCD-1234". Decoded:

• "E1" — country code that issued the cert. E1 = Germany, E2 = France, E3 = Italy, E4 = Netherlands, E5 = Sweden, E11 = UK, etc.
• "22-06" — standard version. Older 22-05 helmets are still accepted at most US racing orgs.
• "ABCD-1234" — manufacturer batch identifier. Not used for verification; this is for traceability only.
• You may also see suffixes: "P" for protective lower-face (full-face/modular tested closed), "NP" for non-protective lower face (open-face), "J" for jet-style without lower-face protection.

Unlike Snell, ECE doesn't publish a public per-helmet certified-product list. Verification means checking the label exists and the helmet was bought from a reputable dealer.

ECE 22.06 Helmet Brands & Models

Most premium brands that sell into the EU carry ECE 22.06 across their current lineup. Notable models:

• AGV — Pista GP RR, Pista GP R, K6 S, K1 S, Tourmodular (the entire current AGV lineup is ECE 22.06)
• Arai — Quantum-X, Corsair-X, Concept-XE, Tour-X4, RX-7V Evo (ECE 22.06 on most current Arai full-face)
• Shoei — X-15, RF-1400, NXR2, Neotec II, GT-Air II
• HJC — RPHA 12, RPHA 1N, F70, i90, i71
• Bell — Race Star Flex DLX (current production lots), Pro Star, MX-9 Adventure MIPS
• Schuberth — S3, C5, E2 (German-engineered, deep ECE roots)
• Scorpion — EXO-R1 Air, EXO-R420, EXO-Combat II
• Klim — TK1200 Karbon Modular, F5 Koroyd, Krios Karbon Adventure
• Stilo — ST5 GT (also FIM-homologated)

For karting and four-wheel auto, look for ECE-K2020 or SA-equivalent. Browse Gara's helmets collection for current ECE 22.06 inventory.

Which US Racing Orgs Accept ECE 22.06?

Nearly all US motorcycle road-racing and track-day orgs accept ECE 22.05 or newer in place of (or alongside) Snell. Examples:

• WERA, ASRA, CMRA, OMRRA, WMRRA, Penguin — ECE 22.05+ accepted (Snell M-series accepted as alternative)
• STT, N2 Track Days, 2Fast, Apex Assassins, MotoVid — ECE 22.05+ accepted across the board
• Precision Track Days — ECE 22.05+ or Snell M-series
• MotoAmerica pro classes — FIM FRHPhe-01 (which is built on top of ECE 22.06)

The full live reference table at /pages/compliance shows the exact rulebook citation per org and the date last verified. ECE 22.06 satisfies any rulebook calling for "ECE 22.05+" — newer always satisfies older within the same family.

ECE 22.06 vs DOT vs Snell — Which Should You Buy?

For US track use, ECE 22.06 is the most flexible single cert: it satisfies almost every motorcycle club org and is recognized in 50+ countries if you ever ride or race internationally. ECE-only helmets without Snell still pass tech at WERA, ASRA, all the major track-day schools, and most kart orgs.

The two situations where you might want Snell instead of ECE: (1) some kart and amateur auto orgs require Snell SA-series specifically, and (2) older WERA rulebook citations historically named Snell M-series first. Both are now resolving toward ECE acceptance, but check your specific org's current rulebook at /pages/compliance.

Browse ECE 22.06 Helmets at Gara

Every helmet at Gara lists its certification stack on the product page, cross-checked monthly against each org's live rulebook. Shop helmets or use the Track Finder to find your event org first, then pick gear that satisfies its rulebook.