CE vs ASTM: What's the Difference for Motorcycle Gear?
If you've shopped for motorcycle gear across UK, European, and US brands, you've likely encountered two different certification systems: CE (used in Europe and the UK) and ASTM (used primarily in the United States). Both are safety standards. But they're not the same — and understanding the difference matters if you're buying gear from international brands or trying to compare protection levels.
What Is CE Certification?
CE stands for Conformité Européenne — European Conformity. For motorcycle protective gear, CE certification is governed by EU regulation and tested to specific EN (European Norm) standards:
- EN 17092 — the standard for motorcycle clothing (jackets, trousers, suits). Covers abrasion resistance, impact cut resistance, and seam strength. Rated A, AA, or AAA.
- EN 1621-1 — the standard for limb protectors (shoulder, elbow, knee, hip armor). Rated Level 1 or Level 2.
- EN 1621-2 — the standard for back protectors. Rated Level 1 or Level 2.
- EN 1621-3 — the standard for chest protectors. Rated Level 1 or Level 2.
CE certification requires independent third-party testing by a notified body. Manufacturers cannot self-certify to CE standards for motorcycle protective equipment.
What Is ASTM Certification?
ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) develops voluntary consensus standards used widely in the United States. For motorcycle gear, the relevant standard is ASTM F2687, which covers protective clothing for motorcycle riders.
ASTM standards are developed by industry consensus and can be used for self-certification — meaning a manufacturer can declare compliance without mandatory independent testing. Some manufacturers do use third-party testing, but it's not required by the standard itself.
Key Differences
| CE (EN standards) | ASTM | |
|---|---|---|
| Geography | Europe, UK, global adoption | Primarily USA |
| Independent testing required | ✅ Mandatory | ⚠️ Not mandatory |
| Self-certification allowed | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Abrasion resistance rated | ✅ A / AA / AAA | ✅ Yes (different scale) |
| Impact protection rated | ✅ Level 1 / Level 2 | ✅ Yes (different scale) |
| Globally recognised | ✅ Widely recognised | ⚠️ Primarily US market |
Which Standard is Better?
CE certification provides stronger consumer assurance because independent third-party testing is mandatory. You know the gear has been tested by an accredited body to a defined standard — not just declared compliant by the manufacturer.
ASTM standards are technically rigorous and widely used by reputable US brands, but the lack of mandatory independent testing means the certification mark alone provides less assurance than CE. Reputable US brands often voluntarily use third-party testing, but it's not a requirement of the standard.
For riders in the UK and Europe, CE certification is the relevant standard and the one to look for. For riders buying US-market gear, look for brands that use third-party testing even when not required.
What Streetbrawl Gear Uses
All Streetbrawl gear is CE certified to EN standards — independently tested, not self-declared. The FlexGuard® Hydro Jeans are CE AAA rated to EN 17092. The armored shirts and hoodies carry CE Level 2 armor certified to EN 1621-1 and EN 1621-2. These are the highest tiers of each standard, independently verified.
The Bottom Line
CE and ASTM are both legitimate safety frameworks, but CE requires mandatory independent testing while ASTM allows self-certification. For riders who want independently verified protection, CE certification — particularly at the AAA and Level 2 tiers — is the clearer benchmark.
