Nearly 1,000 Chinese-made bicycle helmets recalled due to risk of head injury!

Recently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of an ABUS bicycle helmet because the product did not meet U.S. federal safety standards and posed a risk of head injury.

The recalled helmets come in two colors, Velvet Black and Polar White. The specific SKUs are ABUS 877353, H2 A5877353, QBP HE 5124, ABUS 877377, H2 A5877377 and QBP HE 5126, with approximately 790 units.

It is understood that this batch of products was manufactured by a Chinese company in March and October 2020 and sold from April 2020 to October 2021.

Bicycle helmets are used as safety equipment to prevent or minimize injuries to the head and brain in the uncontrolled environment of bicycling. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that approximately 900 people, including more than 200 children, die in bicycle-related accidents in the United States each year, and about 60% of these deaths involve head injuries. Bicycle helmets can help absorb the impact and save their lives.

Bicycle helmets are particularly important for cyclists. According to 360 Research Reports, the global bicycle helmet market size was US$735.1 million in 2020 and is expected to reach US$847.5 million in 2027, with a CAGR of 2.4% from 2021 to 2027. Europe is the largest consumer, with a market share of nearly 35.92% in 2017. After Europe, the United States is the second largest consumer, with a market share of 33.55%.

Searching for "helmet" on Amazon will bring up more than 2,000 results; searching for "bicycle helmet" will bring up more than 1,000 search results. Although the market share of bicycle helmets is not as large as that of clothing and electronic products, it has a relatively fixed consumer group. Therefore, some sellers will also layout in this field. However, it should be noted that since helmets are used to ensure personal safety, the product quality must be up to standard.

In the United States, the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1203, Title 16, stipulates the safety standards for bicycles. The ABUS bicycle helmets were recalled because they did not meet the requirements of 16 CFR 1203.12(d).

Let’s take a closer look at the specific requirements of 16 CFR 1203.12(d):

a. Peripheral Vision. All bicycle helmets shall allow at least 105° of unobstructed vision to the left and right of the midsagittal plane when measured in accordance with 1203.14 .

b. Stability of position. A bicycle helmet shall not fall off when tested in accordance with 1203.15.

c. Dynamic Strength of Retention System. All bicycle helmets shall have a retention system that, when tested in accordance with 1203.16, will remain intact and stretch no more than 30 mm (1.2 in).

d. Impact standard

(1) CPSC will test to a “worst case” of the test parameters (what constitutes a worst case may vary, depending on the specific helmet involved). If a failure d(2) is caused during the test, the helmet has failed the impact test.

(2) Peak acceleration. When a helmet is tested in accordance with 1203.17, the peak acceleration of any impact shall not exceed 300 g.

If sellers want to enter the US bicycle helmet market, they can take a good look at the US federal regulations on helmet safety requirements.

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