Overview
ISO 10256-5:2017 - Protective equipment for use in ice hockey, Part 5 - specifies performance requirements and test methods for neck laceration protectors used in ice hockey. Published in 2017 (first edition), this international standard is focused on reducing the risk of direct neck lacerations from contact with a skate blade. It defines required coverage, materials and cut-resistance tests, conditioning and marking requirements, and test-report content. The standard does not address protection from puck or stick impacts, accessories, or all possible real-world situations.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope & intent: Limits tests to laceration resistance from skate blades; emphasizes correct fit, fastening and user condition for performance.
- Protected area: Specifies the area of the neck protector that must be covered by protective material and verified during testing.
- Materials & innocuousness: No removable parts allowed in the protected area; materials must remain securely attached and not harm the user.
- Ergonomics & usability: Devices must be compatible with helmets and shoulder pads, be easy to adjust, remain in place during play, and allow easy access in emergencies.
- Cut resistance: Two normative cut-test methods (Annex A - guided horizontal monorail, Annex B - guided drop) determine pass/fail criteria:
- Annex A: no cuts detected on artificial neck foam and no cut through the bottom (skin-contact) layer.
- Annex B: no cut through the entire thickness within the test area.
- Conditioning & laundering: Test samples are washed three times per ISO 6330; cut tests require both dry and wet conditioning (wet: submerged at 20 ± 2 °C for ≥4 h, then hung 30 ± 5 min).
- Markings & labelling: Permanence of markings must be demonstrated to remain legible for the product’s useful life under normal use and care instructions.
- Test apparatus tolerances: Dimensions of cut-test apparatus generally have ±2% tolerance.
Applications - Who Uses This Standard
- Manufacturers and designers of ice hockey neck laceration protectors - to design, test and document compliance.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to perform the specified conditioning and cut-resistance tests and produce test reports.
- Purchasers, teams and leagues - to specify safety requirements for supplied equipment and procurement.
- Regulators and standards committees - to align national rules and safety recommendations with international practice.
Related Standards
- ISO 10256 series (other parts cover general requirements and other protective items)
- ISO 10256-1:2016 (General requirements for ice hockey protective equipment)
- ISO 6330 (Textiles - domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing)
Keywords: ISO 10256-5:2017, neck laceration protectors, ice hockey safety, cut resistance, test methods, protective equipment, personal protective equipment.