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Product Standards Issues, Report From The NOCSAE Winter Meeting

Date: 6/7/07

The report from the Winter NOCSAE meeting by SGMA Vice President Gregg Hartley highlights a number of important issues for SGMA member’s attention.

1. SOCCER SHINGUARD STANDARD The standard for soccer shinguards required for high school and collegiate play becomes effective June 2007. All shinguards used for high school and collegiate play must carry the NOCSAE certification seal after June 2007. All companies which sell or distribute soccer shinguards for high school and collegiate play should be familiar with the new product NOCSAE standard and the company should have a NOCSAE license by June 2007.

The complete documentation of the NOCSAE shinguard standard is available for download at www.nocsae.org. There have been several modifications to the shinguard standard to facilitate compliance with the standard.

a. The certification label may now be sewn in at the top of the shinguard, as long as it is visible when flipped up and the required certification language is correctly oriented.

b. Provisions have been made in the standard for guards that are held in position by tape, a sock or other type of accessory item. For details of these provisions please review the most recent version of the standard available at the NOCSAE website.

c. Provisions have also been made to accommodate shinguards which are made up of several components. Again, please check the most recent version of the standard for specific information. Important to remember, all NOCSAE certified shinguards require third party testing on an annual basis to complete the certifications process. If you have any questions on the soccer shinguard standard please contact Gregg Hartley at SGMA, 561.427.0663, ghartley@sgma.com or Mike Oliver, Executive Director of NOCSAE at 913.498.8814, mpo@orlawyers.net.

2. LACROSSE BALL STANDARD NOCSAE is developing a standard for lacrosse balls and is seeking input from manufacturers of lacrosse balls. If you are a manufacturer or distributor of lacrosse balls, NOCSAE would like to hear from you. The standard is scheduled for implementation in June of 2007. The draft standard is available on for download at www.nocsae.org. Please download the standard and send your comments to David Halstead at NOCSAE, 865-523-1662 or email to daveh@soimpact.com. Please contact Gregg Hartley at SGMA, 561.427.0663, ghartley@sgma.com if you have questions regarding the ball standard.

3. BASEBALL/SOFTBALL HELMET A revision to the standard for baseball and softball helmets concerning projectile impact guidelines is being considered for implementation in June, 2008. You can review the proposed changes on the most recent version of the baseball/softball helmet standards posted at the NOCSAE website. Please direct your comments or concerns to David Halstead at NOCSAE, 865.523.1662 or email to daveh@soimpact.com.

4. FACEGUARD ATTACHMENT HARDWARE A revision to the faceguard and possibly the helmet standards specifying standards for deformation of attachment hardware in a stressed situation and corrosion resistance is being evaluated. The purpose of this revision is to make the removal of the face guard in an emergency situation easier. If you have comments or concerns on this revision please contact David Halstead at NOCSAE, 865.523.1662 or email to daveh@soimpact.com or contact Gregg Hartley at SGMA, 561.427.0663, ghartley@sgma.com. NOCSAE would appreciate your input in these areas. If you have general concerns about the standards process please contact Gregg Hartley at SGMA, 561.427.0663, ghartley@sgma.com or visit the NOCSAE website, www.nocsae.org.