The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) officially published the revised version of EN 12492:2025 Mountaineering equipment - Helmets for mountaineers - Safety requirements and test methods.
EN 12492 Mountaineering equipment - Helmets for mountaineers - Safety requirements and test methods is the European standard for mountaineering and climbing helmets, which has been adopted for work-at-height and rescue helmets as well.
Originally developed for sport climbers and alpinists, it addresses hazards one encounters in vertical or rugged environments – not just falling objects, but also falls by the wearer, swinging impacts into structures, etc.
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) officially published the revised mountaineering helmet standard EN 12492:2025 on 15 October 2025. The new standard will come into force on 30 April 2026, at which point the EN 12492:2012 will be replaced.
EN 12492:2025 specifies requirements and test methods for protective helmets for use in mountaineering intended to protect the head of the user in order to reduce the risk of impact injury.
Products Included
EN 12492:2025 covers helmets intended for use in activities such as:
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Mountaineering and alpinism
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Rock climbing
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Ice climbing
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Mixed climbing (rock and ice)
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Via ferrata
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General climbing activities where protection against falling objects and impacts is required
This standard is applicable to protective helmets used in activities with similar hazards as in mountaineering, including, but not limited to, climbing, caving, canyoning, rope courses and via ferrata climbing.
Products NOT Covered by EN 12492:2025
EN 12492:2025 does not apply to the following types of helmets:
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Industrial safety helmets (EN 397)
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Cycling helmets (EN 1078)
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Ski and snowboard helmets (EN 1077)
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Motorcycle helmets (ECE R22)
Key Changes to the Standard from EN 12492:2012 to EN 12492:2025
EN 12492:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 12492:2012:
- the scope is extended to activities with similar hazards as in mountaineering, including, but not limited to, climbing, caving, canyoning, rope courses and via ferrata climbing; — the helmet positioning index (HPI) (3.9) has been added in the terms and definitions and test methods;
- ergonomic requirements have been added;
- a weight requirement has been added;
- off-crown requirements have been added;
- retention system strength requirements and test method have changed;
- the test method to measure the force transmission has been modified using speed instead of the drop height of the mass;
- the clause ‘Marking’ has been updated and the subclause ‘Labelling’ has been deleted;
- Annex B has been replaced by a new Annex A: ‘Recommendations on the materials and construction for thermal comfort of helmets for mountaineers’;
- the Bibliography has been updated and replaced by the Annex B: ‘Standards on mountaineering equipment’;
- Annex ZA has been updated.
EN 12492:2025 is the standard for testing and certifying mountaineering helmets. It specifies the requirements and test methods for protective helmets used in mountaineering activities, with the objective of protecting the wearer’s head and reducing the risk of impact-related injuries.
The revised standard expands its scope to include activities involving similar hazards, including but not limited to rock climbing, caving, canyoning, rope courses, and via ferrata. It does not apply to ski mountaineering helmets as defined in EN 18100:2025.
Read more:
EN 12492 Helmets for Mountaineers - Safety Requirements and Test Methods
