Motorcycle Body Armor Certifications

When choosing motorcycle body armor, you may come across various certifications and the EN 1621 standards. These standards define the protection requirements for different parts of the body and verify that protectors have passed the required impact resistance tests. Each standard applies to a specific type of protector.

EN 14021 – Plastic Chest Protectors

The EN 14021 standard applies to plastic chest protectors used primarily in motocross and other off-road disciplines. These protectors are mainly tested against impacts from flying stones and other debris. This certification can still be found on current products, such as the Acerbis Linear.

EN 1621-1 – Limb Protectors

EN 1621-1 covers shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip protectors. It does not apply to chest or back protectors.

During certification testing, the protectors are subjected to repeated impacts using specialized test equipment that simulates a motorcycle crash. The main objective is to evaluate the protector's ability to absorb and dissipate impact energy.

EN 1621-2 – Back Protectors

EN 1621-2 applies to back protectors and is one of the most important certifications for motorcycle protective equipment.

During testing, the protector must withstand repeated impacts across its entire surface, including structurally weaker areas. Tests are performed using both a falling mass and a striker to simulate different types of crashes encountered both on the road and off-road.

EN 1621-3 – Chest Protectors

EN 1621-3 applies to front chest protectors.

The standard distinguishes between two types:

• Split chest protectors
• Full chest protectors

It also defines two levels of protection:

• Level 1 – Meets the minimum requirements for limiting transmitted impact force.
• Level 2 – Provides a higher level of protection by reducing the amount of impact energy transmitted to the rider.

The standard may also include testing at high (+40 °C) and low (-10 °C) temperatures to verify that the protector maintains its protective performance under extreme conditions.

EN 1621-4 – Airbag Protectors

EN 1621-4 applies to inflatable motorcycle airbag systems.

Like the other EN 1621 standards, it defines two protection levels: Level 1 and Level 2. In addition to impact absorption, the certification also evaluates the deployment speed of the airbag. High-speed cameras are used during testing to verify that the airbag inflates within the required time.

Acerbis Protector Certifications

All Acerbis motorcycle protectors available at MEFO comply with the relevant certification requirements according to their intended use. Each product includes a Declaration of Conformity specifying the applicable standard and additional certification information.

Important Notice

We recommend that you do not remove the original certification labels from any certified protector. These labels are part of the product certification and may be required during technical inspections or scrutineering at motorcycle racing events as proof of compliance with the applicable standard.

Level 1 or Level 2?

Protectors may be certified as either Level 1 or Level 2. In general, Level 2 provides a higher level of protection because it allows less impact energy to pass through during testing.

However, it is important to understand that no protector can prevent every injury. Its purpose is to reduce impact energy as much as possible and minimize the risk of serious injury. Choosing the correct size, ensuring a proper fit, and wearing the protector correctly are just as important as the certification itself.

Youth Racing Requirements

Some motocross competitions have specific protective equipment requirements for young riders. Children aged 5 to 12 must wear certified chest protection as well as shoulder and elbow protection.

Before participating in any event, we always recommend checking the latest technical regulations issued by the event organizer or the relevant motorcycle federation.

Last updated: July 23, 2026