Sourcing cycle helmets from China: PPE and testing
Cycle helmets sold in Great Britain are PPE. Head protection against impact is not a Category I or III risk, so it falls in Category II, which needs third-party assessment by an approved or notified body; UKCA or CE marking is accepted. Lock the shell, foam, straps and buckles, and retest after any change. Cambridge China Bridge audits helmet factories and manages testing in China.
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Products and search terms
cycle helmets, bike helmets, bicycle helmets, PPE helmets, helmet factory China
Helmets are PPE, and the category decides the route
The GB version of the PPE Regulation sorts protective equipment by risk. Category I lists minor risks such as superficial mechanical injury and non-extreme weather; Category III lists serious risks such as falling from a height. Category II is everything else, which is where head protection against impact sits. GOV.UK guidance says Category II and III PPE needs third-party conformity assessment by an approved or notified body.
GB recognises CE marking indefinitely, so a helmet can carry UKCA or CE marking. Importers of helmets from China must show their name and postal address on the product or, where this is not possible, on the packaging or accompanying documents. Ask the factory for the certificate and test report for the exact model, not a family.
| Part | Specify | Control in production |
|---|---|---|
| Shell | Material, thickness, moulding method and colour | Material batch records and shell weight on sampled helmets |
| Foam liner | Foam type and density, thickness by zone and bonding | Density and bonding checks against the approved sample |
| Straps and buckle | Webbing, buckle model, adjuster and fit system | Buckle and strap model matching the certified configuration |
| Marking and manual | Certificate reference, size, date, importer details and instructions | Labels and manual checked on each carton sample |
Qualifying a new factory after a failed test
A failed impact test usually traces to a change nobody approved: a different foam density, a thinner shell or a substituted buckle. Qualify the new factory against the certified configuration, test samples from its production line rather than hand-made pieces, and require written approval before any material or component changes.
Our own staff in China audit helmet factories, collect production samples for the test house, check each batch against the certified configuration and supervise loading. We quote one UK landed price or a direct-import arrangement; who you contract with explains the difference.
Frequently asked questions
Are cycle helmets PPE in the UK?
Yes. Head protection against impact is not a Category I or III risk in the PPE Regulation, so it is Category II, which needs third-party assessment by an approved or notified body.
Do cycle helmets need UKCA marking?
GB recognises CE marking indefinitely, so a helmet may carry UKCA or CE marking, with the conformity assessment behind it.
Why did my helmets fail impact testing?
Often a production change: foam density, shell thickness or a substituted buckle. Lock the certified configuration and retest after any change.