EN 397: 2012 certifies that safety helmets are designed to offer protection from lateral impact or top impact.
This European Standard specifies physical and performance requirements, methods of test, and marking requirements for industrial
safety helmets. The mandatory requirements of BS EN 397 apply to helmets for general use in industry in the European Union as
mandated by 89/686/EEC for personal protective equipment. Additional optional performance requirements are included to apply
only where specifically claimed by the helmet manufacturer. Industrial safety helmets (also known as headgear) are intended primarily
to provide protection to the wearer against falling objects to avoid brain injury and skull fracture. EN 397:2012 is written by Technical
Committee CEN/TC 158 on "Head protection". Countries in Europe are expected to adopt it as a national standard, either by
publication of an identical text or by endorsement.