CE-certified motorcycle clothing is designed and tested to give riders proven, regulated protection in the event of an accident. Certification covers different categories—garments, boots, gloves, and body armour—with varying protection levels (for example Level 1 or Level 2) depending on the impact and abrasion resistance they offer. This means you can choose gear that matches your riding style and needs, from lighter, more flexible options to maximum-protection equipment.
For motorcyclists, the benefits are clear: CE-certified gear helps absorb impacts, resist abrasion, and keep critical seams intact, greatly reducing the severity of injuries. It’s important to remember that even the highest CE level doesn't make you invincible—clothing can still be damaged in a crash—but it vastly improves your chances of walking away with fewer and less serious injuries. In short, it’s about stacking the odds in your favour every time you ride. For more details and a full breakdown, check out our Deep Dive: CE Explained here.
The PPE regulation
Since April 2018, all motorcycle garments fall under the scope of the PPE regulation, which basically means that if it is sold as protective motorcycle apparel, it’s deemed to be personal protective equipment and should be tested at an official notified body under a strict set of standards to comply with the PPE regulation.
In this article, we’ll run you through the basics of CE certification and compliance and what that means for you as a consumer, so you know what to look for when you’re out shopping for motorcycle equipment, either online or in store.
What does ‘CE’ stand for?
You’ve likely seen the “CE” marking on items you’ve purchased from a store including: children’s toys, electronics, cookware, you name it. CE stands for “Conformité Européenne” (French for European Conformity).
A CE label or marking on a product is a declaration of compliance with the relevant or applicable health, safety, and environmental protection legislations for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). The CE marking is also found on products sold outside the EEA that are manufactured in - or created to be sold in - the EEA.
How are CE-standards and PPE related?
Very much, actually. Motorcycle clothing (specifically jackets and pants/trousers, notwithstanding gloves, boots, and impact protectors) is grouped into what’s called Personal Protective Equipment – aka PPE. And like your kitchenware or electronics, PPE is governed by their own specific set of rules and regulations depending on how these products are used and how they are classified, and which group/subgroup they fall under. Here’s where it gets quite complicated. The set of standards that “govern” PPE - specifically motorcycle clothing - for leisure use is CE-standard EN 17092, which has now become a harmonized European standard.
Harmonized standard, meaning that it is a recognized throughout the EU as a tool that’s widely accepted for the certification of PPE motorcycle garments. We’ll talk more about this a little later on. That said, we’ll disclaimer here and say that this is intended to be a general overview of an incredibly complex subject that is both politically and economically charged. The purpose is to help riders understand that even with an arguably imperfect system in place, the CE-certification label/marking does mean something. It means that the garments have been tested to meet at least the minimum safety requirements, so you actually know what it’s intended use is. And that’s Personal Protective Equipment in the form of motorcycle clothing.