Overview
ISO 21924-1:2017 sets forth general requirements and test methods for protective equipment used in martial arts, focusing on safety, ergonomics, and performance. This international standard primarily targets unarmed martial arts disciplines such as taekwondo, karate, and kick-boxing. It provides guidelines to ensure martial arts protectors offer adequate protection against injuries while allowing athletes to perform effectively.
This first part of the ISO 21924 series covers essentials including innocuousness, restraint, size, zone of protection, impact performance, marking, and manufacturer information. Additional parts of the standard address specific requirements for different components or martial arts styles.
Key Topics
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General Requirements: Protective equipment must be designed for safe use without impairing the wearer’s ability to perform sports activities. Products are required to maintain their protective properties even after cleaning as per manufacturer instructions.
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Innocuousness: Materials used in the equipment must not cause harm to users or others. This involves testing for skin safety and resistance to color changes or staining caused by perspiration.
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Restraint and Secure Fit: Protectors must stay securely in place during use, with systems either integrated or accompanied by instructions for secure attachment. Soft padding must cover any rigid or sharp parts within restraining elements.
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Sizing and Zone of Protection: Equipment must be available in multiple sizes, clearly marked, and designed to cover specific protection zones defined within the standard to ensure adequate coverage of vulnerable body parts.
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Impact Performance: Protective gear undergoes rigorous testing, such as drop tests with steel strikers, to verify resistance to breakage or irreversible deformation under typical impact conditions.
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Testing Procedures: Methods outlined include sampling protocols, conditioning of samples before testing, colour fastness to perspiration, restraint testing with applied forces, and measurement of protection zones using standardized gauges.
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Marking and Manufacturer Information: Equipment must bear clear markings including manufacturer identity, size, model code, manufacturing date, and relevant pictograms for proper usage guidance.
Applications
ISO 21924-1:2017 is essential for:
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Manufacturers of Martial Arts Protective Equipment: Ensures product quality, safety compliance, and market acceptance by adhering to internationally recognized test methods and safety requirements.
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Sports Facilities and Martial Arts Instructors: Provides confidence that recommended protective gear meets safety standards to reduce injury risks during training and competition.
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Regulatory Bodies and Certification Agencies: Facilitates consistent evaluation criteria for approving martial arts protective equipment across global markets.
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Athletes and Consumers: Offers assurance of protection effectiveness, ergonomic design, and appropriate sizing, enhancing user safety and performance.
Related Standards
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Further Parts of ISO 21924 Series: Detail specific requirements and test methods for components designed for particular martial arts disciplines or protector types (e.g., headgear, hand guards).
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ISO 105 Series (Textile Colour Fastness Tests): Provides procedures referenced within ISO 21924-1 to assess textile colour durability against perspiration and other factors.
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ISO/IEC Directives: Guides the development, maintenance, and publication of ISO standards including those related to sports equipment.
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Relevant National and Regional Safety Standards: In some markets, local requirements may complement or align with ISO 21924-1 for martial arts protective gear compliance.
By establishing stringent requirements and standardized testing, ISO 21924-1:2017 plays a critical role in enhancing safety and performance in martial arts through high-quality protective equipment.