EN 1078 is the European safety standard for helmets used by pedal cyclists (and for skateboards and roller skates) — it sets the requirements for impact absorption, strap strength, coverage, and labeling that a helmet must meet to be sold for cycling in Europe. Its American counterpart is the CPSC standard, and while the two are similar in purpose, they differ in some test details, which is why labels matter.
If you have ever bought a helmet in Europe, or seen a CE mark inside one, you have met EN 1078. Here is what it tests, how it compares with the US rule, and how to read the markings.
What Does EN 1078 Cover?
EN 1078 applies to helmets for pedal cyclists and for users of skateboards and roller skates. Within the European system, a helmet for these activities must conform to the standard and carry CE marking, which signals the manufacturer declares it meets the applicable European requirements.
The standard defines its requirements in the same broad families as other bicycle helmet standards:
- Impact energy attenuation — drop tests that measure how much force reaches the headform
- Area of protection — how much of the head the helmet must cover
- Retention system — the strength and performance of straps and buckle, including a roll-off style check that the helmet stays in place
- Field of vision — the helmet must not block the rider’s view unacceptably
- Marking and information — labels and user instructions the manufacturer must supply
Helmets are tested in different conditions, including after exposure to heat, cold, and artificial ageing, so the approval reflects more than a brand-new helmet at room temperature.
How Is a Helmet Tested Under EN 1078?
The impact test drops a helmeted headform onto anvils — including a flat anvil and a kerbstone-shaped anvil representing a curb edge — and measures the resulting acceleration at the headform. The helmet passes only if the measured values stay below the standard’s limits.
The retention system is tested dynamically: the helmet is subjected to a sudden load to confirm the straps hold and the helmet does not come off. There is also a check on how easily the helmet can roll off the head from behind, which reflects a real crash motion in which helmets are sometimes stripped away.
In general terms, the philosophy matches other bicycle standards — manage the impact, cover the head, stay on the head — but the specific energies, anvils, and thresholds are EN 1078’s own. That is why “it passed a standard” is not a complete sentence; which standard, and where you ride, both count.
How Does EN 1078 Differ From the US CPSC Standard?
Both standards test impact absorption, coverage, and retention, and both are mandatory in their home markets. In general terms, the differences are in degree rather than kind: the CPSC standard is commonly regarded as somewhat more demanding in impact energy and in the area of the head that must be protected, while EN 1078 helmets often end up a bit lighter in design as they are optimized to their own test.
There are also procedural differences. The US system involves federal certification and record-keeping duties for manufacturers and importers, while the European system works through CE marking and harmonized standards, with market surveillance by national authorities.
For a rider, the practical rule is simple: buy the helmet certified for your market. A helmet sold in the US must carry CPSC compliance; a helmet sold in Europe carries EN 1078 and the CE mark. Many international models are certified to both, and the labels inside will say so — that is the ideal answer for travelers who ride on both continents.
Does EN 1078 Test Rotational Forces or E-Bike Speeds?
Like the CPSC rule, EN 1078 was written around linear (straight-on) impact testing; it does not include an oblique rotational test of the kind recently added to the motorcycle standards. Rotational protection in bicycle helmets is therefore an extra design feature rather than a standards requirement — see our guide to MIPS and rotational protection for how those systems work and why riders seek them out.
Speed pedelecs — the faster class of e-bikes that assist to higher speeds — prompted a separate response in Europe: the Dutch NTA 8776 specification for speed pedelec helmets, which in general terms demands more coverage and higher impact performance than EN 1078. If you ride a fast e-bike in Europe, check whether your situation calls for that higher specification rather than a basic EN 1078 bicycle helmet.
For ordinary cycling and standard pedal-assist e-bikes, EN 1078 remains the applicable and appropriate benchmark in Europe. Ordinary e-bikes assist at speeds comparable to brisk conventional cycling, which is the riding the standard was written for; it is the faster pedelec category, with its higher sustained speeds and greater crash energy, that motivated the additional specification.
What Should You Check on the Label Before Buying?
Look inside the helmet for the CE mark and a reference to EN 1078, the manufacturer’s name, the model and size, and the date of production. The helmet should also come with instructions in a language you can read, covering fit, care, and the instruction to replace the helmet after an impact.
Be cautious with helmets that carry a CE mark but name a different standard, or no standard at all — CE marking appears on many product types, and it is the EN 1078 reference that ties it to bicycle helmet performance. Novelty helmets and very cheap imports are the usual offenders.
And as with any helmet: check the production date, try the helmet on for fit, and make sure the size you buy is the size that was certified. A standard only vouches for the helmet as tested; wearing it correctly is up to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is EN 1078 as safe as the US CPSC standard?
A: Both are rigorous, mandatory standards testing impact absorption, coverage, and retention. In general terms CPSC is somewhat more demanding in impact energy and coverage, but a properly fitting EN 1078 helmet is a legitimate, tested bicycle helmet.
Q: Can I legally use an EN 1078-only helmet in the US?
A: Helmets sold as bicycle helmets in the US must comply with CPSC, so an EN 1078-only helmet is not the compliant choice there. Many models carry both certifications — check the labels inside before buying.
Q: What does the CE mark on a helmet mean?
A: It indicates the manufacturer declares the product meets applicable European requirements. On a bicycle helmet, look for the CE mark together with a specific reference to EN 1078 — that pairing is what confirms the helmet standard.
Olivia
Writer at Helmet Today, covering helmet reviews, fit and riding safety.
