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EN 13061: 2009
Shin guards for association football players

This standard assesses soccer shin guards for a range of protective properties such as stud and blunt impact performance as well as taking into consideration comfort and fit elements. The main tests in EN 13061 are impact tests, which assess the impact absorbing properties and penetration resistance properties of the guards.

Blunt Impact Test

The blunt impact test assesses the impact absorbing properties by dropping a 1 kg mass, positioned vertically over the top of the test shin guard that is itself mounted on an instrumented anvil. The amount of force that is transmitted through the guard onto the leg anvil is measured and, if it exceeds 2 kN, that particular model fails.

Stud Impact Test

The stud impact test assesses the penetration resistance properties of the shin guards against boot stud impacts. The test shin-guards are mounted on cone anvils and impacted by a 1 kg drop mass which incorporates a metal stud. Penetration of the interior surface of the shin guard in either type of impact results in failure for that particular shin-guard model.

In addition, there is also a requirement for vertical stud impact testing with regards to the amount of movement that is permitted of the stud across the surface of the guard.

Comfort & Fit

The standard also includes requirements to assess whether the shin guards suit the size of wearer they are claimed to fit. The size of football shin-guards is based on the intended height range (in centimetres) of the end user. All sizing and ergonomics templates and assessors are based on this measurement.

EN 13061 requires the amount of protective coverage offered by the protector to be assessed, an ergonomics assessment to ensure that there is no restriction of movement when worn by the end user, a restraint assessment to ensure that protectors remain in place during use, and an assessment which checks that the product does not contain any rough, hard or sharp edges that may cause discomfort or injury to the wearer or others during normal use.

Labelling

The standard also includes requirements for the labelling or marking and the information which suppliers or manufacturers should provide to wearers of their products to ensure that products are correctly used and users are fully aware of the level of protection that is being offered.

CE Mark & Chemical Testing

In Europe, protective shin guards need to be CE marked and as part of the EC type examination process, assessment of the chemical properties of the materials used in the end products is also required. These materials are tested in accordance with the additional innocuousness requirements specified in EN ISO 13688: 2013 and include pH value, colour fastness to perspiration, chromium VI, azo colorants, nickel content, and PCPs.