--- title: Your Helmet’s Safety Certification description: "You have chosen your helmet which is beautiful, comfortable and on budget: that’s great! But, are you sure it provides the best protection? There are actually certifications that will guarantee you are well-equipped." image: https://blog.kimpex.com/hubfs/Blog/Post/2018/07/Certification-Securite_Casque-Moto/KPNews-Certification-Securite_01-en.jpg --- [![kimpex-news-black-logo-1](https://blog.kimpex.com/hubfs/Blog/BASE/kimpex-news-black-logo-1.svg "kimpex-news-black-logo-1")](https://blog.kimpex.com) - [Motorcycle](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle) - [Gear](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle-gear) - [Helmets](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle-helmets) - [Parts and Accessories](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle-accessories) - [Maintenance](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle-maintenance) - [Manufacturers](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle-manufacturers) - [ATV/UTV](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/atv-utv) - [ATV-UTV](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/atv-utv) - [Helmets](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/quad-helmets) - [On the trails](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/on-the-trails-and-quad-trip) - [Parts and accessories](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/quad-parts-and-accessories) - [Maintenance](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/quad-maintenance) - [Manufacturers](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/quad-manufacturers) - [Snowmobile](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/snowmobile) - [Trails](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/trail-snowmobiling) - [BackCountry](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/backcountry-snowmobiling) - [Helmet](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/snowmobile-helmet) - [Clothing](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/snowmobile-clothing) - [Parts and accessories](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/snowmobile-parts-and-accessories) - [Maintenance](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/snowmobile-maintenance) - [Manufacturers](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/snowmobile-manufacturers) - [Marine](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/marine) - [Watersports](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/watersports) - [News](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/news-and-events) - [Kimpex News](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/kimpex-news) - [Industry News](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/industry-news) - [Events](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/events) - [Misc.](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/misc) - [Collaborators](https://blog.kimpex.com/en/collaborators/) - [Contest](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/contest) - [KIMPEX.COM](https://www.kimpex.com/en-ca/home) - [English](https://blog.kimpex.com/your-helmets-safety-certification) - [Français (French)](https://blog.kimpex.com/fr/certification-de-securite-de-votre-casque) # Your Helmet’s Safety Certification Posted by [Kimpex](https://blog.kimpex.com/author/kimpex) on 16, Jul 2018 ![Kimpex](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/01a13c33a19402f60542bd1977a2e3dd) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Helmet's Safety Certifications](https://blog.kimpex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Post/2018/07/Certification-Securite_Casque-Moto/KPNews-Certification-Securite_01-en.jpg?width=700&name=KPNews-Certification-Securite_01-en.jpg) **You have chosen your helmet** which is beautiful, comfortable and on budget: that’s great! But, are you sure it provides the **best protection**? There are actually **certifications** that will guarantee you are well-equipped. In fact, in Canada we have DOT, ECE and SNELL designations which **certify that your helmet is safe**.  To be legal in Canada, and especially in Québec, riders must comply with the Highway Safety Code stating: *“Every person riding on a motorcycle or moped, or in a sidecar, on in an off-highway vehicle under the* Act Respecting Off-Highway Vehicles*, or in a sleigh or trailer towed by an off-highway vehicle, **must wear a protective helmet that complies with any of the following established standards for the manufacture, installation and use**:* - *Standard CAN-3-D230 of the Canadian Standards Association;* - *Standard **DOT FMVSS 218** of the United States Department of Transportation;* - *Standard “Specifications for Protective Headgear for Vehicular Users Z90.1” of the American National Standards Institute;* - *Standard of the **Snell Memorial Foundation**;* - *Standard of the British Standards Institute;* - *Standard of the “**ECE Regulation 22**” of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.* *“A protective helmet must bear, at all times, the **label** affixed by the manufacturer **in compliance with the requirements of the standard of manufacture**” – [SAAQ](https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/modes-transportation/motorcycle/helmets-and-protective-gear/)*    ![DOT, ECE22.05 and SNELL Certifications](https://blog.kimpex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Post/2018/07/Certification-Securite_Casque-Moto/KPNews-Certification-Securite_2.jpg?width=700&name=KPNews-Certification-Securite_2.jpg) Although different types of certifications exist, the three most recognized are ***DOT***, ***SNELL*** and ***ECE***. You have surely noticed the affixed label at the back of your helmet, but what does it mean and why are there different ones?   ![DOT](https://blog.kimpex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Post/2018/07/Certification-Securite_Casque-Moto/KPNews-Certification-Securite_3b.jpg?width=700&name=KPNews-Certification-Securite_3b.jpg) **Dot FMVSS 218**: DOT certification stands for the **“normal” safety standard** a helmet must pass to be accepted in the market. It is also **the most common** and the best known standard. Numerous tests are carried out to ensure helmet compliance. ![ECE22.05](https://blog.kimpex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Post/2018/07/Certification-Securite_Casque-Moto/KPNews-Certification-Securite_4b.jpg?width=700&name=KPNews-Certification-Securite_4b.jpg) **ECE 22.05** : As its name suggests, the ECE (*Economic Commission for Europe*) standard is used mainly in Europe, but it is **recognized in many other countries**. With **stricter rules** than the DOT standard, every helmet model sold with the ECE label must pass different tests before hitting the market. The ECE standard aims to **avoid any risks** of injury in an accident, and not just decrease them as much as possible. That is why we find a **full list of tests** that take into account the helmet’s rigidity as well as the quality of the helmet visors. ![SNELL](https://blog.kimpex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Post/2018/07/Certification-Securite_Casque-Moto/KPNews-Certification-Securite_5b.jpg?width=700&name=KPNews-Certification-Securite_5b.jpg) **[SNELL](https://www.smf.org/cert) M2015** : The “Snell Memorial Foundation” is a **non-profit organization** that tests and develops standards aimed at **improving helmet efficiency**. The tests carried out for this certification are very rigorous and most **racing associations** demand a SNELL approved helmet.   ![Did you know](https://blog.kimpex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Post/2018/07/Certification-Securite_Casque-Moto/KPNews-Certification-Securite_6b.jpg?width=700&name=KPNews-Certification-Securite_6b.jpg) ***Did you know?*** ***Wearing visual protection is mandatory for the rider.** If the helmet is not equipped with a visor, the rider must wear protective glasses. This requirement applies when circulating in a zone where the speed limit is over 50 km/h.*   While it is important to validate the authenticity of your helmet, you must not worry too much about that because a retailer is **obligated to sell helmets that meet current manufacturing standards**. [Kimpex](https://www.kimpex.com/fr-ca/accueil) is the distributor of several brands of certified helmets such as [LS2](https://info.kimpex.com/ls2-helmets-full-face). Go to your favourite helmet’s product page to find additional information on its safety rating. [Motorcycle](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle) [Motorcycle Gear](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle-gear) [Trail Snowmobiling](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/trail-snowmobiling) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimpex.com%2Fyour-helmets-safety-certification%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimpex.com%2Fyour-helmets-safety-certification%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimpex.com%2Fyour-helmets-safety-certification%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimpex.com%2Fyour-helmets-safety-certification%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Your%20Helmet%E2%80%99s%20Safety%20Certification) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.kimpex.com%2Fyour-helmets-safety-certification%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![clickngo2](https://blog.kimpex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_KPN_recent/Images/Side-bar-pub/KPX_Blog_ClickNGo2_770x100_En.jpg?width=770&height=100&name=KPX_Blog_ClickNGo2_770x100_En.jpg)](https://info.kimpex.com/atv-quad-snow-plow-click-n-go) ### Related posts ## [The Making of The Atlas Helmet](https://blog.kimpex.com/the-making-of-the-atlas-helmet) By [Kimpex](https://blog.kimpex.com/the-making-of-the-atlas-helmet/author/) | on 04, Jun 2026 |  [Motorcycle](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle) [Motorcycle Gear](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle-gear) [helmets](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/helmets) [adventure](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/adventure) [Atlas](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/atlas) [CKX](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/ckx) The Atlas adventure helmet started with a simple idea: create a motorcycle helmet truly designed for the realities of North American riders, both on the road and out on the trails.[ Read more](https://blog.kimpex.com/the-making-of-the-atlas-helmet) ## [How to choose the right LS2 helmet for your riding style](https://blog.kimpex.com/how-to-choose-the-right-ls2-helmet-for-your-riding-style) By [Kimpex](https://blog.kimpex.com/how-to-choose-the-right-ls2-helmet-for-your-riding-style/author/) | on 12, May 2026 |  [Motorcycle](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle) [Motorcycle Gear](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/motorcycle-gear) [helmets](https://blog.kimpex.com/topic/helmets) Picking a helmet isn’t just about looks. It’s what determines your comfort, your safety, and even how much you enjoy the ride. 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