Motorcycle Leather Gear
What CE Approval Means for Motorcycle Gear
CE approved means the maker declares EU conformity; for riding clothing that needs an independent type-examination. What the mark proves, and what it does not.
"CE approved" on motorcycle gear means the product carries the CE marking, the maker's statement that it meets EU product rules, as the European Commission's CE guidance puts it. For riding clothing, which counts as Category II protective equipment in the EU, that statement must rest on testing and certification by an independent notified body, according to the test house Eurofins. The mark alone does not tell you how much protection you get: the standard number and the level or class printed with it do.
This answer is part of our motorcycle leather gear guide.
What the CE mark proves, and what it does not
In the EU, personal protective equipment (PPE) has been covered by Regulation (EU) 2016/425 since 21 April 2018. Only minimal risks, such as superficial mechanical injury, fall into the lowest risk category, where makers can check their own products.
| The CE mark tells you | It does not tell you |
|---|---|
| The maker declares the product meets EU rules | Where it was made: the mark applies regardless of origin |
| For Category II gear, a type-examination was done before sale | The protection level or class |
| The product may be sold anywhere in the EU | Whether a pad was tested for motorcycling: a CE pad without an EN 1621 number may be certified for another sport |
"CE approved", "certified" and "tested": sellers' words
Sellers use these words loosely, and each may mean something different. One riding-gear brand says "CE-tested" can mean limited, possibly in-house testing, such as impact only, while "CE-approved" or "CE-certified" means the whole garment was tested at a certified facility. Whatever the wording, ask for two things: the standard number and the certificate.
Which standard to look for
Our guides explain each one: understanding CE Level 2 motorcycle protection for armor and EN 17092 garment classes explained for clothing.
| Gear | Standard | What the label adds |
|---|---|---|
| Jacket, pants, suit | EN 17092 | Class AAA, AA, A, B or C |
| Limb, back, chest armor | EN 1621-1, -2, -3 | Level 1 or 2 |
| Gloves | EN 13594 | Level 1 or 2 |
| Boots | EN 13634 | A 1 or 2 for each of four zones |
Does CE approval matter in the US?
US law does not require it. Apart from helmets, no US state requires any riding gear, and gear sold in North America does not have to meet the European standards. In Europe, armor sold must by law carry a CE mark. A US product page may therefore say nothing about CE at all. That is a reason to ask, not proof the gear is weak.
Checking a made-to-order suit
As an example, the Leather Collection race suits page lists armor pockets at the shoulders, elbows and knees, but states no CE level or EN 17092 class. Before ordering any suit, ask for the class, the protector levels and the certificates. Our guide on how to assess the quality of a leather motorcycle jacket covers the rest of the check.
LeatherGuru Editorial Team
LeatherGuru articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.