Madam,

As the Irish consumer representative on the European Equestrian Helmet Committee (W.G.5) since 1997, I am disappointed that the European Commission has had to withdraw EN 1384 but in fact it had no choice. Some of the experts on the committee were completely intransigent and would not support proposed changes to ensure that EN 1384 complied with the Personal Protective Directive 89-686, which rules that any standard must provide the best possible protection. (In fact one expert wanted to reduce the specification.) Consumers expect an EU helmet standard to comply with the PPE Directive 89-686.