  
  
G/TBT/N/AUS/146  
27 October 2022  
(22-8068) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  AUSTRALIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if di fferent from above:   
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade  
Email: tbt.enquiry@dfat.gov.au  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [  ], 5.6.2 [  ], 5.7.1 [  ], 3.2 [  ], 7.2 [  ], 
other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Bicycle 
helmets are products which are designed to offer protection to the cyclist's head during 
impact. It featur es a shell, liner, and retention strap fitted along the lower jaw area. The 
mandatory standard prescribes requirements for the design, construction, performance, 
and safety marking of bicycle helmets.  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notif ied document:  Review of the 
mandatory standard for bicycle helmets - consultation email; (3 page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  The mandatory safety standard bicycle helmets references 
certain requirements in the 2008 edition of the voluntary Australian standard. The 
voluntary Australian standard was  updated in 2020.  
The ACCC is proposing to make a new mandatory safety standard for bicycle helmets to 
allow suppliers to comply with the most recent edition of the voluntary Australian standard 
which is the following:  
· Australian/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS 2063:2020, Helmets for use on bicycles and 
wheeled recreational devices ) 
In addition, the ACCC proposes to allow suppliers to comply with any of the following four 
widely adopted overseas volun tary standards:  
· International Standard (Snell B -95, 1995 Bicycle Helmet Standard, 1998 revision 
Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling ) 
· European Standard (EN 1078:2012+A1:2012,  Helmets for pedal cyclists and for users 
of skateboards and roller skates ) 
· American Standard (ASTM F1447:2018,  Standard Specification for Helmets Used in 
Recreational Bicycling or Roller Skating ) G/TBT/N/AUS/146  
 
- 2 - 
 
  · American Standard (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commiss ion (16 C.F.R. Part 1203), 
Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets )) 
The new safety standard would not impose any requirements other than those contained 
in these voluntary standards. Allowing compliance with these standards would permit 
supply of helmets with out the need to additionally test to the Australian standard. It is 
also intended to reduce regulatory complexity and duplication for suppliers, thereby 
further facilitating trade.  
The attached consultation email outlines the ACCC's proposed steps.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  The current mandatory safety standard was introduced in 2001 to minimise 
the risk of serious injury or death to cyclists. It was updated in 2008 in line with new 
technological advances.  
Referencing the latest edition of the voluntary Australian standard will ensure suppliers' 
regulatory obligations remain clear and consistent whilst maintaining consumer 
protections.  
In addition, referencing overseas standards reduces the regulat ory burden on suppliers 
in the form of reduction in administrative, testing and compliance costs where a product 
already conforms to overseas requirements.; Protection of human health or safety  
8. Relevant documents:   
Consultation email for new safety standard (attached)  
Current safety standard - Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard) (Bicycle 
Helmets) Regulations 2001  
Product Safety Austral ia page - Bicycle helmets  
The International, European and Australian/New Zealand standards are available for 
purchase from SAI Global . The American Standard is available for purchase from ASTM 
International . 
9. Proposed date of adoption:  The new safety standard would be ad opted the day after 
it is registered.  
Proposed date of entry into force:  The new safety standard would provide a 
transitional period (18 months in this case) to allow suppliers to move to the new 
requirements. During the transitional period suppliers may choose to comply with the new 
standard or the requirements set out in the current safety standard.  
10. Final date for comments:  60 days from notification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade  
Email: tbt.enquiry@dfat.gov.au  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2022/TBT/AUS/22_7262_00_e.pdf  
 