We wanted to give you a brief update on the NOCSAE helmet requirement and the latest developments as we navigate the integration of the requirement into our rules and play. We have become aware that, due to unforeseen manufacturing delays, a number of players have yet to have their helmet orders fulfilled. Further, these orders will likely not be fulfilled ahead of the January 1, 2021 effective date for the USPA's NOCSAE helmet requirement.

As a result, the USPA Chairman, with the consent of the Executive Committee has decided to issue a rules variance to delay enforcement of the NOCSAE helmet requirement until March 1, 2021. We hope that this will provide enough time for everyone who has ordered helmets that pass the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification to get their helmet. While we are temporarily delaying enforcement of the NOCSAE helmet requirement until March 1, 2021, the USPA strongly encourages members who have helmets that meet the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification to wear such helmets.

The USPA will continue to monitor the situation and update the membership as needed.

The USPA would like to share the following information regarding the upcoming changes to the USPA Helmet Requirements (Outdoor Rule 4 and Arena Rule 3). Beginning March 1, 2021 players participating in USPA Events and Club Events, which include any USPA National, Circuit or Sanctioned tournament or league, any Intercollegiate/Interscholastic or National Youth Tournament Series event, as well as any club-level game, league or tournament, will be required to wear helmets that pass the NOCSAE ND050 Polo Helmet Standard. Over the past several years, the USPA Safety Committee has done extensive research on polo helmet safety and has consulted with experts in the departments of bio engineering, sports safety, and liability. In the fall of 2017, the Safety Committee recommended that the Board adopt a rule requiring players to wear a helmet that meets the NOCSAE Polo Helmet Standard to help to reduce the possibility of brain injury. The Board recently approved the changes to the USPA Rules to take effect March 1, 2021, provided that more than one helmet that meets the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) approved polo helmet standard is available to the membership. The Board will continue to monitor the availability of helmets that meet the NOCSAE standard. Please review the following information and feel free to reach out to USPA Membership and Handicap Director Lindsay Dolan at ldolan@uspolo.org should you have any questions.

• NOCSAE is an independent and nonprofit standards development body that has certification standards for football, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, soccer and many other sports. They are also the only organization that has a certification standard that is specific to the sport of polo. In addition, participants in the SEI certification program must hold a valid license agreement with NOCSAE.
  
  
• In order to receive SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) Certification for ND050 Polo Helmets, manufacturers must pass physical testing of their product, have an on-site audit of their manufacturing facility, have an approved recall procedure, and must maintain $2 million product liability insurance.
  
  
• The Virginia Tech Helmet lab conducted a review of standards for evaluating helmet performance. In doing so, they compared the following standards: NOCSAE ND050, PAS 015:2001 with BSI Kitemark, VG1 01.040-2014 with BSI Kitemark, (BS) EN 1384:2017 with CE mark, AS/NZS 3838: 2006, ASTM F1163, and Snell E2001. Following their review, the Virginia Tech Helmet lab recommended the NOCSAE ND050 standard above all of the others. To review the findings, please see the following link: https://www.uspolo.org/assets/pdf/Virginia-Tech-Polo-Standards.pdf

• Currently, the Casablanca NEU and the Charles Owen Sovereign are the only helmets that pass both the NOCSAE Polo Standard and the standard required by the Hurlingham Polo Association. As additional helmets that pass the NOCSAE Polo Standard become available, they will be added to the list of approved helmets.

• The new polo helmet mandate (2020 USPA Outdoor Rule 4 and USPA Arena Rule 3) does not take effect until March 1, 2021. However, helmet manufacturers need to have time to produce enough helmets for all USPA members. If all USPA members wait until May to order their NOCSAE helmets, the manufacturers will not have adequate time to produce them.

• Armis and Instinct do not currently produce any helmets that pass the NOCSAE ND050 standard. The USPA conducted preliminary testing in 2017, and at that time there were no helmets that passed the NOCSAE ND050 Standard. In order to obtain this certification, manufacturers will need to develop new helmets or revise current helmet designs to meet the standard.

• Manufacturers may offer discounts to USPA Members, youth players, and for bulk orders. Please contact the manufacturers directly for additional information.

• The USPA is not directly affiliated with any helmet manufacturer and manufacturers have the ability to set their own pricing and may offer discounts.

• Generic riding helmets, which may pass other standards such as the ASTM F1163 Equestrian standard, undergo a different testing protocol and must be replaced after a single impact. Notably, the NOCSAE ND050 testing is designed specifically for the sport of Polo and accounts for multiple impacts which occur from the rider falling, being struck with a mallet or ball or coming in contact with another player. It is also important to note that MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) technology is not required for the NOCSAE ND050 standard.

• Eye protection, such as a facemask must be deemed as an “authorized accessory” by the helmet manufacturer. If the facemask is an “authorized accessory” then it does not void the certification. However, if the end user applies a facemask that is not the helmet manufacturer’s “authorized accessory,” then the NOCSAE/SEI Certification would be void.