ABOUT KEP ITALIA SAFETY

Kep Italia's main goal of their business is to ensure maximum safety for riders and equestrians, making this their priority every single day.


MAXIMUM QUALITY
Kep riding helmets are exclusively made using carefully selected materials, guaranteeing the highest quality standards.

Laser-perforated steel, with honeycomb structures that are very light yet extremely resistant, aluminium, carbon, DDQ stainless steel, Kevlar, polycarbonate and technological, hypoallergenic and antistatic fabrics: excellent materials for superior helmets.



PERFECT FIT
Kep helmets are designed to ensure a perfect fit and the best protection, thanks to the shape of the inner cap and the range of inside padding designed for different head shapes.

A perfect fit depends on the inside padding, which ensures the correct size. Removable and washable, this padding is available in a summer version, which is lighter and more breathable, and in a winter version complete with built-in earmuffs. 

For younger riders, the inner cap can be replaced as they grow, without having to buy a brand new helmet.



SAFETY STRAP
The strap, a crucial element for the safety of each helmet, is made from soft and resistant leatherette and undergoes specific tests to check its tensile strength, as it may be put under strain if the rider falls from the horse. 
The strap is fixed to the cap in five different points, ensuring that the helmet does not come off the head in the event of a fall, continuing to protect the rider until impact with the ground and beyond.
The strap buckle must always be fastened and correctly adjusted, ensuring it is not too loose under the chin.



FLEXIBLE VISOR AND EXTENDED NAPE PROTECTION
The back of the helmet is longer than most other riding helmets, in order to protect a wider portion of the nape and neck in the event of a fall. The front of the helmet also features an important safety element: a flexible visor. Made from a supple material, the visor is designed to protect the head from direct impact in the event of a fall. 





TESTS TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATIONS

KEP Italia invests a considerable amount in safety and shall continue to do so in order to pursue its objective of offering protection against all types of head trauma, as well as producing the safest helmets in the world.


SHOCK ABSORPTION TEST
Checking the helmet's resistance if it suffers blows such as those caused by a fall or by the kick of a horse.



PENETRATION TEST
Checking that the cap inside the helmet is able to protect the head in case of blows from sharp objects.


STRAP RESISTANCE TEST
Checking that the strap is strong enough not to break or detach from the helmet in the event of a fall.


SHIFT TEST
Checking that the helmet does not fly off during a fall and before impact with the ground.


CRUSH TEST
Checking the helmet's resilience in the event of lateral compression (crushing).





OMOLOGATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS


There are different kinds of type approvals and safety certifications for riding helmets, each imposing different requirement: it is therefore important to choose a helmet with the highest number of type approvals/certifications.
Each certification refers to a specific type approval (or set of regulations); helmets must comply with the relative regulations in order to be awarded each specific certification.
KEP Italia riding helmets are among the safest in the world, meeting the requirements of the following standards:


European CE certification
Combined with the VG1 01.040 2014-12 standard, which came into force on 1 January 2016, this certification represents a step forward compared with previous regulations. KEP Italia was the first company in the world to obtain this new certification for its helmets.

American and Canadian SEI certificationThis certification is normally required in the American and Canadian markets and is recognised all over the world. Through continuous checks, also carried out at the company, SEI certification ensures that certified products always and continuously comply with the reference legislation, or with the requirements of the ASTM F1163 / 2015 type approval. Maximum manufacturing quality and product traceability are also guaranteed by this certification.


ISO 9001 certification
ISO 9001 certification attests that the company's activities reflect the minimum requirements imposed by legislation; this gives end customers full confidence in the quality of KEP Italia riding helmets and in the traceability of the entire supply chain.

KEP Italia has always paid a great deal of attention to the quality of its internal and external processes, with the aim of optimising its organisational structure and boosting customer loyalty. The company's inspirational leadership team has always ensured a constant commitment to its quality policy, which is reflected in its compliance with the requirements of the international ISO 9001:2015 standard.
KEP Italia's quality system ranges from customer centricity to HR organisation, carefully monitoring all phases of the helmet production process; this allows the company to guarantee maximum satisfaction even for the most demanding riders. Through continuous improvement in all areas of activity, we work hard every day to make the best helmets ever seen.
 


OMOLOGATIONS
Type approvals involve sets of rules that riding helmets must respect in order to be marketed within a given country. The type approvals currently required on international markets are:

Europe: UNI EN 1384: 2012 and document VG1 01.040 2014-12 containing additional requirements, replacing EN 1384: 2012 (which has not been de-harmonised; in fact, this has lost the presumption of conformity, but continues to exist as a CEN standard).
America and Canada: ASTM F1163 / 2015 
Great Britain: UNI EN 1384: 2012 and document VG1 01.040 2014-12 containing additional requirements 
Australia and New Zealand: ASTM: F1163-15 or UNI EN 1384: 2012 and document VG1 01.040 2014-12 containing additional requirements 
Countries that have not yet developed type approvals adapt to the existing ones.