Comparative analysis of airbags for motorcyclists
- Centro de Innovación para Motociclistas
- Apr 15
- 5 min read
1. Introduction
The Spanish National Association of Two-Wheeled Vehicle Companies (ANESDOR), in collaboration with the Spanish Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), has published a catalog of motorcycle airbags in which manufacturers voluntarily declare the conformity of their products. The catalog (available at airbag.anesdor.com/catalogo/ ) lists 19 brands and more than 50 models as of April 2026. The platform itself clarifies that ANESDOR and the DGT do not validate the information provided by the manufacturers; they are solely responsible for its accuracy.
This document critically analyzes these brands and models from three angles: the European regulatory framework, the technical requirements of each certification, and the practical implications for the user who must choose a protection system for their vital organs.
2. Regulatory framework: Regulation (EU) 2016/425
Motorcycle airbags are Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which, because they protect against risks with very serious consequences, including death , are classified in Category III according to Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2016/425. This classification entails the most demanding level of conformity assessment:
• EU type examination (module B) carried out by a Notified Body of the NANDO network.
• Supervised production control at random intervals (module C2) or process quality assurance (module D), according to Article 19.c.
• CE marking accompanied by the identification number of the Notified Body (Article 17.3).
• Retention of technical documentation and EU declaration of conformity for 10 years (Article 8.3).
Additionally, Article 14 states that the presumption of conformity only applies to harmonized standards whose references are published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) . The only harmonized standard published in the OJEU is EN 1621-4 for mechanically activated motorcycle airbags. The standard for electronic airbags (EN 1621-5) has not yet been approved or published.
3. Overview of the catalog by certification
The catalog is divided into three groups according to the declared certification:
Brand | Models in catalog | Activation type | Certification |
AIROBAG | 6 (Chopper Vest, Lite, Smart, Touring, Urban, Wise) | Mechanic | IN 1621-4 |
HIT-AIR | 6 (MLV2-C blue/black/red, MLV2-P, MLV2-RC, MLV2-YC) | Mechanic | IN 1621-4 |
MOTOAIRBAG | 4 (MAB City, MAB M1, MAB v4, MAB v4 Modular) | Mechanic | IN 1621-4 |
ALPINESTARS | 11 (Tech-Air 3, 5, 7x and variants) | Electronic | CERTOTTICA |
DAINESE | 2 (Smart Air, Smart Jacket) | Electronic | CERTOTTICA |
HELITE | 9 models (mechanical and electronic) | Mixed | CRITT AMC-012/013 |
RST | 7 (Armour Shirt, D3O Vest, Pro Series…) | Electronic | CRITT AMC-013 |
HELD | 3 (eVest, eVest 2, eVest Pro) | Electronic | CRITT AMC-012/013 |
IXON | 3 (U03, U04, U05) | Electronic | CRITT AMC-012/013 |
KLIM | 2 (Ai-1, Ai-1 Rally) | Electronic | CRITT AMC-012 |
9 other brands* | ASPAR AIR, BERING, FURYGAN, HONDA, HYOD, IXS, MYRIDE, ROCK TOOL, SHOT, TUCANO URBANO | Mixed | CRITT AMC-012/013 |
Each one with 1–2 models in the catalog.
4. Technical comparison of the standards
4.1 EN 1621-4 vs. CRITT AMC-013
Both protocols use the same impact energy (50 J) and the same impact mass (5 kg), but differ radically in the accepted residual force threshold:
Criterion | IN 1621-4 | CRITT AMC-013 |
Peak limit (strength) | Level 2: 3 kN / Level 1: 6 kN | 24.5 kN equivalent (500 g × 5 kg) |
Difference in requirements | Maximum reference | 4× to 8× less demanding |
Average criterion | Yes: 4.5 kN (N1) / 2.5 kN (N2) | not specified |
Issuing body | EU Notified Body (NANDO network) | Private center, not notified to the EU |
Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union | Yes, presumption of conformity (Art. 14 Reg. 2016/425) | No, without presumption of conformity |
Minimum coverage verified | Chest and back | Variable depending on manufacturer |
4.2 The case of CERTOTTICA (electronic airbags)
Alpinestars and Dainese are brands with extensive experience and investment in R&D. Their electronic systems use algorithms capable of detecting an accident and activating the airbag in milliseconds. However, the harmonized European standard EN 1621-5 (which should regulate these systems) has not yet been approved or published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) . This means that no electronic airbag can currently claim the presumption of conformity under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, regardless of the manufacturer's reputation or the product's price. CERTOTTICA is a prestigious Italian organization, but its certification is not equivalent to a published harmonized standard.
5. Analysis by brand group
Group A / EN 1621-4 Certification: AIROBAG, HIT-AIR, MOTOAIRBAG
These are the three longest-established brands in the motorcycle airbag market. Their products comply with the only current harmonized European standard for this type of PPE. All their models are mechanically activated, meaning they have a simple, electronic-free mechanism that is highly reliable and easily reusable after an accident by simply replacing the gas cartridge. Certification has been issued by Notified Bodies within the NANDO network, guaranteeing an independent evaluation process overseen by the European Commission.
Group B / CERTOTTICA Certification: ALPINESTARS, DAINESE
High-end products with advanced electronic technology. They offer faster activation speeds than mechanical systems and are the benchmark choice in competition across several categories sanctioned by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), such as MotoGP. However, the lack of a harmonized European standard for electronic systems prevents the presumption of full compliance under Regulation 2016/425. They are reliable products for the discerning user, but they do not have the highest available regulatory accreditation. In fact, the FIM itself is working on drafting its own standard at the time of writing this document.
Group C / CRITT Certification: 14 remaining brands
They make up the majority of the catalog. The CRITT AMC-013 protocol accepts up to 24.5 kN of equivalent peak force, compared to the 3 kN required by EN 1621-4 Level 2: a difference of approximately eight times . Within this group are brands with decades of market presence (Helite, Klim) and products with less experience. CRITT certification does not necessarily imply poor manufacturing quality, but it does mean a significantly lower impact absorption threshold than that required by the European standard.
6. Conclusions and recommendations
The ANESDOR catalog is a valuable tool for market transparency, but its usefulness is at its maximum when the consumer understands that mere presence in the catalog does not imply equivalent protection between the listed products.
According to the technical documents analyzed, the recommended verification process before purchasing a motorcycle airbag is the triad standard + laboratory + document :
• Standard: verify that the certification is EN 1621-4 (the only published European harmonised standard).
• Laboratory: confirm that the certification has been issued by a Notified Body of the European Commission's NANDO network.
• Document: require the certificate and verify its authenticity through the electronic signature of the issuing body.
Based on this criterion, the only brands in the catalog that fully meet the safety triad (Standard + Laboratory + Documentation) are AIROBAG, HIT-AIR, and MOTOAIRBAG. The rest offer varying degrees of quality and tradition, but without the most demanding technical certification verified by current European regulations. Electronic airbags from top-tier brands (Alpinestars, Dainese) may be a valid option for advanced users, but should be evaluated with the understanding that the complete standard for electronic airbags is still pending publication.
In the realm of personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects vital organs, the difference between rigorous and less stringent certifications can determine the outcome of an accident. An airbag certified to EN 1621-4 and a helmet certified to ECE-22.06 currently represent the highest level of accredited protection available to motorcyclists.
Sources: ANESDOR Catalog ( airbag.anesdor.com ) • Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament • Standard EN 1621-4 (CEN, 2013) • CRITT AMC-013 Protocol • Comparative technical analysis of standards
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