Stay Safe on the Ice with CSA-Certified Hockey Helmets
As you prepare for the season, it is important to remember that only CSA-certified hockey helmets are approved for use in Hockey Canada sanctioned activities. As part of our commitment to player safety, we are providing important information about how to tell the difference between a CSA-certified hockey helmet and a counterfeit one.
Stay Safe on the Ice with CSA-Certified Hockey Helmets
Hockey helmets are essential for helping to protect hockey players of all ages from serious head injuries, but not all helmets offer the same level of protection. Trusted manufacturers work with third-party testing and certification organizations like CSA Group to rigorously test helmets for safety, durability, and effectiveness. However, some counterfeit helmets have recently been discovered for public sale using forgeries of the CSA label. These helmets have not undergone proper safety standard testing and pose a potential risk to player safety.
Tips to Help Ensure Your Helmet is CSA-Certified
- Check for the CSA Certification Label: Look for a round, blue and red label on the back or inside of your helmet. These tamper-proof CSA certification labels are applied with special adhesive so they will not peel off easily. A CSA certification label always includes three things: reference to the CSA Z262.1 standard, a serial number and the year the helmet was manufactured.
- Buy from Reputable Sellers: Purchase helmets from well-known brands or established retailers. If buying from lesser-known brands, online or second hand, take extra steps to verify the helmet’s authenticity.
- Look for a Booklet/User Manual: New CSA-certified helmets always come with a booklet or user manual. For some helmets, the booklet or users’ instructions may come as a QR code on the packaging, which can be scanned to access the booklet / user manual. If your new helmet doesn’t have one of these, take extra steps to confirm its legitimacy.
- Quality Check: To comply with the Canadian safety standard, a hockey helmet must be well-manufactured with high-quality materials and cannot be modified in any way. If a helmet feels unusually light in weight, flimsy, has loose parts, or appears to be modified, some additional steps are recommended, even if the helmet has a CSA label.
- Verify Online: Whether purchasing new or used, The CSA Group Product Listing provides a convenient list of all CSA-certified products. To verify that your helmet has been certified, enter the name of the helmet model in the Keyword field; enter the manufacturer’s name in the Manufacturer field; and select Recreational Safety Equipment from the Product Area menu. If the product appears to have a CSA certification label but is not found in the registry, consider submitting an Incident Report on the CSA Group website.
Beware of Counterfeit Helmets
While most helmets with the CSA label are genuine, some counterfeits have recently surfaced. Wearing a helmet that hasn’t been properly tested can increase the risk of injury.
How to Choose a CSA-Certified Helmet
CSA Group has compiled a list of tips to help you choose a certified helmet, which can be found on the CSA website. A helpful tip sheet is also attached to this email.
Stay Safe and Play Smart
Remember, wearing a certified hockey helmet is crucial for your safety on the ice. Always verify your helmet’s authenticity to help keep you and your loved ones protected.
