SFI, FIA & SNELL TAG GUIDE 

KNOW THE BASICS

SFI, FIA & SNELL are the primary safety organizations that certify auto sport products.

SFI and SNELL are accepted in the USA. The FIA standards are recognized internationally.

SFI & FIA set standards for multiple products. SNELL is helmets only, but their certifications do include those for karting and motorbike helmets. SNELL SA (automotive activities) SNELL K (karting) SNELL M (motorcycles)

SFI, SNELL & FIA products will display their certification tags at predetermined, homologated locations on the product. Misplaced tags can indicate a fraudulent product. Apparel tags are placed so tech inspectors can easily access them. Helmet tags are hidden under the helmet’s interior lining.

Many critical certifications tags have expiration dates. Before the start of the your track season check these crucial product tags - tech inspectors will!

Before your next track/racing season CHECK YOUR HELMETS, SEATS, HARNESSES, NETS,FHR DAE TAGS

Both the SFI & FIA has made it easier to learn the expiration dates. The tags will state ‘not valid after’(FIA) or ‘valid until’ (SFI.) When the FIA tag states ‘not valid after (year)’ then that items compliance will last until December 31 of that year. SFI has recently changed their tags to clearly state the expiration date of the product. If your SFI date tags state the year and month of production, you need to know how long the life is for this certification, or recertification. For example, for FHR devices it is five years, harnesses are two years.

Expiration lengths vary with the sanctioning safety council, the type of product and the product’s spec certification. For example, most FIA seats are for five years FIA 8855-1999, but the more stringent professional FIA 8862-2009 is for ten years.

We are aware that various racing groups and clubs, (including SCCA) extend the operating life of SFI tagged, webbed, safety restraints to five years. We advise you thoroughly research your organization rules before you get to the track

FIA certification tags now, are always accompanied with a security, hologram sticker -designed to makes it harder to counterfeit the product. Each hologram is unique to that one product. The most up-to-date certifications have gold hologram stickers, previously they were silver.

SNELL auto helmet tags are now harder to find. Search for them under the interior foam. SNELL updates its certification requirements every five years. Currently it is SA2020 for auto helmets and K2020 for karting. Most auto sport organizations will accept SA2015 or K2015 for another five years.

Helmets can be FIA or SNELL tagged. International racing series require a FIA helmet. The FIA works differently and does not automatically change every five years. They change or upgrade their testing requirements for the level of the sport and/or when they believe it is necessary.

For the FIA the year of their standard will be displayed following the FIA standard code

For example: 8856 indicates the FIA Standard for safety apparel.

8856-2018 denotes the year of the homologation for this product.

And 8856-2000 indicates the year of the previous homologation for apparel.

SFI SAFETY APPAREL as yet, have no expiration dates, although we understand this could be changing and we will keep you posted. The FIA used to display the date of manufacture with no expiration date. The FIA now has a new standard (FIA 8856-2018) which requires an expiration date to be displayed onto the suits back collar. The suit has a life of ten years from the date of manufacture. (HOWEVER in the US, this is not enforced - only the condition of the item.) The FIA does not believe suits, safely, have a 10 year life. In reality this is generous - dirty, oil stained frayed, ill-fitting suits are a fire hazard. HOWEVER in the US, this is not enforced - only the condition

KNOW YOUR TAGS and where to find them, plus never remove them! The tags with their expirations dates are created for your safety. The certifications groups will revise their testing requirements as they must adjust to the latest innovations, technology, materials, racing series and increased speeds.