ECE 22.05 Helmets Approved for Victoria
Victorian riders welcomed an announcement by VicRoads legalising the use of European ECE 22.05 motorcycle helmets. This step brings Victoria in line with Queensland and provides Victorian riders with the opportunity to access and use the world’s safest helmets.
Research shows that Australian helmet standard AS1698 does not represent world’s best practice in helmet construction and design. The Victorian Motorcycle Council has long lobbied for the inclusion of the internationally recognised ECE 22.05 helmet standard alongside AS1698.
The VMC applauds VicRoads for taking this step which puts motorcycle safety above commercial interests and regulatory complexity.
Peter Baulch, Deputy Chair of the VMC and key member of the Australian Motorcycle Council’s Helmet committee said, “This is a significant step towards simplifying the complex helmet regulation picture across Australia. The Australian helmet standard has fallen behind the rest of the world and now we need the other states to come into line and for the ACCC to step up and legalise the sale of ECE 22.05 helmets in Australia.”
All motorcycle helmets sold in Australia are fully imported and require recertification to AS1698 per Australian consumer law. This adds significant costs and acts as a barrier reducing the available range of safer helmets in Australia and state law dictates what can be worn.
The Victorian Motorcycle Council calls upon all state roads authorities and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to work together to align helmet sale and use laws, and to nationally adopt ECE 22.05 helmets.
