Motorcyclists' Clothing

What is tested? How are the tests conducted?

As a manufacturer of motorcyclists' clothing you want to expand and consolidate your market position. Your target groups are people who are really enthusiastic about this demanding and diverse hobby. In addition to younger consumers, the stratum of buyers includes an ever-increasing number in the "more mature" age brackets. These buyers place particularly high demands on quality, function and comfort.

The visible mark of quality

But how is the consumer to recognise at first glance whether or not the "leather combination" or the multifunctional textile clothes really do fulfil the promises they make? Motorcyclists' clothing in particular is subjected to a lot of wear and tear in daily use. High-quality material and workmanship are particularly important and all functions must be guaranteed. With such a wide range on offer, consumers again and again are at a loss to know what to choose.
The experts from TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH have the solution: the PROOF mark as orientation aid for the consumer. Motorcycle clothing displaying the PROOF mark from TÜV Rheinland Product Safety GmbH - in short, TRPS - signalises immediately that the quality has been tested and certified by a neutral body!

Services for a successful company

As an independent institution, the TRPS is a competent service provider using sophisticated test procedures. For you as a manufacturer, testing and certification by TRPS of motorcycle clothing is an effective marketing instrument to give you that competitive edge. Additionally, there are a lot of other benefits for you in the process. Manufacturing quality is improved and stabilised, internal quality structures are optimised, and there is a marked reduction in costs and potential complaints. In addition, the results of the tests provide valuable information on new designs.

What is tested? How are the tests conducted?
1. Quality assurance measures in the production process form the first part of the testing programme to assess the quality of motorcycle clothing. The TRPS examines and assesses the quality assurance measures in the production plant. This is intended to cut out the element of chance in the articles submitted for testing. For the manufacturer, the aim is to minimise costly customer claims caused by fluctuating manufacturing tolerances and qualities.

2. Testing of the submitted product itself is the second step in the programme.
The following characteristics for example are scrutinised as part of a preliminary test:

Functionality
This means, for example, the trouble-free functioning of zips and adjustment systems. Compatibility with other articles of clothing is however also important. For example, can the thermal lining be detached and reinserted as easily as intended?

Ergonomic design
These tests are carried out as practical wear tests. The questions asked for example are: How are the individual sizes graded? Does the product adapt to suit different body constitutions? Are the protection elements always affixed at the correct points?

Material quality
A test report which takes various aspects into account: material strengths, fluctuations and unevenness play just as much a part as does the colour quality. It goes without saying that the articles are also examined for obvious material defects such as, e.g. holes, tears, sharp corners and edges.

General quality of workmanship
Particular attention is paid to the seams - their quality, uniformity, their interlocking and the existence of seam allowances are checked. Accessories such as buttons, pockets, padding, emblems and the like have to be firmly fastened. After the preliminary test there is the Physical Examination. Motor cyclists' clothing has to be particularly wear-resistant which is why specialists from the TRPS test a whole series of important quality features in their laboratories:

Resistance

• Rub resistant dry/wet
• Sweat-resistant
• Light-resistant
• Washable

Strength

• Seam strength
• Resistant to further tearing
• Wear/abrasion resistant
• Lateral resistance (zips)
• Splinter resistance(plastic)

Compliance with assured special properties

• Water-resistant
• Wind-resistant
• Breathability
• Special functions

Special products require special measures: where large volumes or special articles have to be tested, the TRPS takes advantage of every opportunity to carry out additional tests, for example, test rides by private people or the equipping of participants in a rally.

At the same time, a chemical test is performed on the materials used. If the manufacturer is not able to present any test results, the TRPS checks that the minimum legal requirements as regards the concentration of harmful substances are complied with (AZO colourings, formaldehyde, PCP, chromium VI, cadmium, nickel ...).

The Checking of the Technical Documentation rounds off the programme of tests. This concerns the checking and assessing of:

• Technical Documents
• Manufacturers' certificates/external reports
• Identification of the articles (information on size, cleaning and care, material composition)
• Instructions for use (user-friendliness, information and explanations of special functions, danger warnings, addition cleaning and care instructions)

The results of all the individual tests required are documented in a final report.

Certification
If all the test results are positive - i.e. all requirements have been met -, the TRPS certification body awards the PROOF mark.

3. Regular monitoring of quality ensures that product quality and assured product properties are maintained even after completion of the test. For this reason a random product check is carried out once a year. The manufacturer can choose any one of three possibilities. The TRPS offers:

• Inspection tour of production plant.
• Taking of random samples from stocks
• Purchasing of random samples in specialist shops.

If the results of these checks are also positive, the validity of the certificate is automatically renewed for a further year and the test mark can continue to be displayed accordingly.