EN 1651:2026

• Abstract:

  This document is applicable only to harnesses for paragliders. The intermediate attachment system between the harness and the paraglider / the emergency parachute does not form part of this document.; This document specifies safety requirements and test methods.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 22-Nov-2026
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 136 - Sports, playground and other recreational equipment
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 136/WG 6 - Paragliding equipment
• Current Stage: 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
• Start Date: 24-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 24-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN 1651:2026 - Paragliding equipment - Harnesses - Safety requirements and strength tests

• Revises: EN 1651:2018+A1:2020 - Paragliding equipment - Harnesses - Safety requirements and strength tests
• Effective Date: 07-Aug-2024

EN 1651:2026 is a CEN standard for paragliding harnesses. It sets safety requirements and strength test methods for harnesses used with paragliders, including the attachment points, restraint systems, impact pads, and emergency parachute-related features that affect flight safety and testing.

This document is aimed at manufacturers, test laboratories, and technical staff who need to design, assess, or verify harnesses for paragliders. It gives a practical framework for checking structural strength, deployment behavior, user information, manufacturing records, and marking.

What does EN 1651:2026 specify?

EN 1651:2026 applies only to harnesses for paragliders. The intermediate attachment system between the harness and the paraglider or the emergency parachute is outside its scope.

The document is organized into nine clauses covering scope, normative references, terms and definitions, safety requirements, test methods, test files, user manual, manufacturing record, and marking. It is supported by four annexes that give examples, definitions, and a calculation method.

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Example manufacturer’s attestation for emergency parachute deployment
Annex B	Normative examples of inner container types
Annex C	Example wording for user manual instructions on emergency parachute installation
Annex D	Spine Injury Criterion (SIC) calculation

What are the key requirements of EN 1651:2026?

EN 1651:2026 combines construction rules, load tests, impact testing, and documentation requirements. In practice, it tells a manufacturer what the harness must withstand, how it must be described to the user, and what evidence must be kept for testing and marking.

Construction and layout requirements

Clause 4.1 requires finished strap ends, accepted textile-assembly practice, and clear contrasting marking of all attachment points that may be used for the paraglider or emergency parachute. Emergency parachute attachment points must be symmetrical and not lower than the paraglider attachment points. For a manufacturer, this means the harness layout must support correct use and clear identification during flight and inspection.

Strength performance of attachment points

Clause 4.2 requires the harness to pass a series of strength tests on paraglider riser attachment points, emergency parachute attachment points, tow attachment points, and upright-position loading. The main outcomes are no rupture of essential structural parts or stitching, no deformation that would let the dummy fall out, and limited slippage of adjustable elements where applicable. For a buyer or quality manager, these tests show which load cases the harness has to survive without losing occupant retention.

Emergency parachute-related strength checks

Clause 4.2 also covers the emergency parachute connecting element, anti slipping-out systems, and the static extraction test for integrated outer containers. A separate deployment system strength test is added, and partially opening inner containers have a dedicated opening test. In practice, the harness must support emergency parachute installation and extraction without failure, not just carry the pilot.

Impact pad performance

Clause 4.3 applies when the manufacturer claims an impact pad. The pad must be tested, must not require manual activation before impact, and must be designed so that rigid parts are not likely to injure the back, neck, or head. This matters because the harness may be used to reduce injury in a seated vertical fall, not only to support the pilot.

Emergency parachute deployment evidence

Clause 4.4 applies to integrated container(s) for emergency parachutes that comply with EN 12491. The harness manufacturer must perform the deployment test according to the document and provide an attestation of completion. For integrated outer containers, all container locations are tested, so installation and access must work in every supplied configuration.

Test conditions and equipment

Clause 5 requires the use of a dummy for strength tests and specifies the apparatus for both strength and vertical impact testing. The harness tested must be identical to the marketed model, and if the maximum clip-in weight is above 100 kg, the specified loads are increased using the document’s factor. This matters because the test result is tied to the real product configuration, not a generic sample.

Documentation, manual, manufacturing record, and marking

Clauses 6 to 9 require a test file, a user manual on a durable medium, a manufacturing record, and specific marking on the harness and, where relevant, on impact pads and inner containers. The manual must cover fitting, emergency parachute compatibility, installation, maintenance, inspection, storage, and disposal. In practice, the standard requires traceable product information, not just a pass/fail test result.

What terms does EN 1651:2026 define?

• Paraglider - An ultra-light foot-launched aircraft with a wing and harness support for the pilot, and sometimes a passenger.
• Harness - The paraglider subassembly that supports the pilot in seated, semi-recumbent, or standing position.
• Emergency parachute - A device intended to slow the pilot’s descent after an incident, deployed by intentional manual action.
• Closure system - The assembly that links the harness to the paraglider riser attachment points and sits in front of the frontal plane.
• Additional closure system - A non-structural harness closure element below the transversal plane passing through the carabiners.
• Impact pad - A harness component designed to reduce compression force transmitted to the pilot’s spine in a seated vertical fall.
• Deployment system - The inner container and extraction handle arrangement used to release the emergency parachute.
• Spine Injury Criterion (SIC) - An impact severity value calculated from acceleration data to help rank impact pad performance in relation to spinal injury risk.

Who uses EN 1651:2026?

EN 1651:2026 is used by harness manufacturers, test laboratories, and product engineers who need to design and verify paragliding harnesses. It is also relevant for quality managers, conformity assessment staff, and buyers who need to check that a harness has been tested for strength, emergency parachute compatibility, and impact-pad performance.

It is especially relevant where a harness includes integrated emergency parachute containers, anti slipping-out features, tow attachment points, or removable or fixed impact pads. Technical and maintenance staff also use it when preparing user instructions, manufacturing records, and marking information.

What changed in EN 1651:2026 from the previous edition?

EN 1651:2026 will supersede EN 1651:2018+A1:2020. The foreword identifies these significant technical changes:

• Terms and definitions were updated for closure system, additional closure system, and integrated accessories to support additional tests on modern harnesses.
• An anatomical drawing was added to help identify the closure system and additional closure system.
• The impact pad definition was clarified, and definitions were added or amended for the deployment system, outer container, inner container, dummy emergency parachute, and compatibility check.
• Anti slipping-out systems were expanded with an additional test.
• New deployment system strength and deployment system opening tests were added.
• The vertical impact pad test apparatus and procedure were updated, including dummy angle, vertical-axis accelerometer requirements, preparation steps, and a reduced maximum peak g.
• SIC calculation was added for impact pads, and SIC marking was introduced for integrated and removable impact pads.
• The user manual gained added information for emergency parachute installation, repair, and maintenance.
• Marking was extended to include SIC on impact pads and marking on emergency parachute inner containers.
• Annex B was added for inner container types, Annex C for example user-manual wording, and Annex D for SIC calculation.

Which standards are used with EN 1651:2026?

EN 1651:2026 cites EN 12491 as its normative reference. EN 12491 provides the safety requirements and test methods for emergency parachutes, which is needed when parts of the emergency parachute system are supplied with, or integrated into, the harness.

What does the EN 1651:2026 document contain?

The document contains the full test and documentation framework for paragliding harnesses. Clause 4 sets the safety requirements, including structural retention, anti slipping-out behavior, impact-pad behavior, and emergency-parachute-related performance.

Clause 5 describes the test apparatus and procedures, including seated-dummy strength tests, vertical impact-pad testing, extraction testing, and deployment testing. The annexes provide an example attestation form, examples of inner container types, sample wording for the user manual, and the SIC calculation method used for impact-pad evaluation.

It also includes the required contents of the test file and manufacturing record, plus the information that must appear in the user manual and on the product marking. For labs and manufacturers, this makes the document a combined design, test, traceability, and user-information specification.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
01-januar-2026
Oprema za jadralno padalstvo - Pasovi - Varnostne zahteve in preskusi trdnosti
Paragliding equipment - Harnesses - Safety requirements and strength tests
Ausrüstung für das Gleitschirmfliegen - Gurtzeuge - Sicherheitstechnische
Anforderungen und Prüfung der Festigkeit
Équipement pour le parapente - Sellettes pour parapente - Éxigences de sécurité et
essais de résistance
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 1651
ICS:
97.220.40 Oprema za športe na Outdoor and water sports
prostem in vodne športe equipment
oSIST prEN 1651:2026 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 1651:2026
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 1651
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
November 2025
ICS 97.220.40 Will supersede EN 1651:2018+A1:2020
English Version
Paragliding equipment - Harnesses - Safety requirements
and strength tests
Équipement pour le parapente - Sellettes pour Ausrüstung für das Gleitschirmfliegen - Gurtzeuge -
parapente - Éxigences de sécurité et essais de Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und Prüfung der
résistance Festigkeit
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 136.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 1651:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Safety requirements. 9
4.1 General . 9
4.2 Requirements . 10
4.2.1 Positive symmetric load applied to the paraglider riser attachment points . 10
4.2.2 Positive asymmetric load applied to the paraglider riser attachment points . 11
4.2.3 Positive symmetric load applied to the emergency parachute attachment points . 11
4.2.4 Negative symmetric load applied to the emergency parachute attachment points . 11
4.2.5 Negative symmetric load applied to the tow attachment points . 11
4.2.6 Negative symmetric load applied to the paraglider riser attachment points . 11
4.2.7 Upright position load . 12
4.2.8 Emergency parachute connecting element . 12
4.2.9 Anti slipping-out systems. 12
4.2.10 Static parachute extraction test for harnesses with integrated emergency parachute
outer container(s) . 12
4.2.11 Deployment system strength test . 12
4.2.12 Deployment system opening test for partially opening inner containers . 12
4.3 Vertical impact pad test requirements . 12
4.4 Emergency parachute deployment test requirements . 13
5 Test methods . 13
5.1 Principles . 13
5.2 Strength tests . 13
5.3 Vertical impact test . 13
5.4 Apparatus . 14
5.4.1 Apparatus for strength tests . 14
5.4.2 Apparatus for vertical impact test . 15
5.5 Procedure . 16
5.5.1 Strength test methods . 16
5.5.2 Vertical impact pad test . 26
5.5.3 Emergency parachute deployment from integrated container . 28
6 Test files . 28
6.1 Test file information . 28
6.2 Items accompanying the test file . 28
7 User manual . 29
8 Manufacturing record . 30
8.1 Manufacturing record content . 30
8.2 Listing of the material . 31
9 Marking . 31
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025(E)
Annex A (informative) Example of manufacturer's attestation for emergency parachute
deployment . 33
Annex B (normative) Examples of inner container types . 36
Annex C (informative) Example wording – User manual 7 h (iii) . 37
Annex D (informative) Spine Injury Criterion (SIC) calculation . 38
Bibliography . 40
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 1651:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 136 “Sports,
playground and other recreational facilities and equipment”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 1651:2018+A1:2020.
This document includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
EN 1651:2018+A1:2020:
a) Terms and Definitions - amended to define the closure system, the additional closure system and
integrated accessories to enable additional tests to parts of modern harnesses.
b) Terms and Definitions - added an anatomical drawing to assist in the identification of the closure
system and the additional closure system.
c) Terms and Definitions - amended the definition of an impact pad to provide greater clarity on pad
types.
d) Terms and Definitions - added and amended definitions for the deployment system, the outer
container, the inner container, and dummy emergency parachute.
e) Terms and Definitions - added a definition for a compatibility check.
f) Safety requirements - Anti slipping out systems - amended to include an additional anti slipping out
test.
g) Safety requirements - added a Deployment system strength test.
h) Safety requirements - added a Deployment system opening test for partially opening inner
containers.
i) Test Methods - amended the vertical impact pad test apparatus requirements, including the dummy
angle and the vertical axis accelerometer.
j) Test Methods - amended anti falling-out system test to enable tests of non-structural elements that
form part of closure systems.
k) Test Methods - added a Deployment system strength test.
l) Test Methods - added a Deployment system opening test for partially opening inner containers.
m) Test Methods - amended the vertical impact pad test, including the requirements for the preparation
for the tests, and a reduction in max peak g.
n) Test Methods - added a requirement to calculate Spine Impact Criterion (SIC) for impact pads. This
has been introduced for future evaluation of the likelihood of spinal injury based on impact severity,
using a criterion analogous to the Head Injury Criterion (HIC).
o) User Manual - added requirements for information to be provided to assist with the correct
installation of an emergency parachute.
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025(E)
p) User Manual - added requirements for information to be provided to assist with repair and
maintenance.
q) Marking - added a requirement to include Spine Injury Criterion marking on integrated and
removable impact pads.
r) Marking - added a requirement to include marking on emergency parachute inner containers
supplied with a harness.
s) Annex A - amended to include minor modifications to adapt the table to the amended definitions.
t) Annex B - added to supply definitions for inner container types.
u) Annex C - added to supply example wording to assist with emergency parachute installation.
v) Annex D - added to supply Spine Injury Criterion calculation.
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document is applicable only to harnesses for paragliders. The intermediate attachment system
between the harness and the paraglider / the emergency parachute does not form part of this document.
This document specifies safety requirements and test methods.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12491, Paragliding equipment - Emergency parachutes - Safety requirements and test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
paraglider
ultra-light foot launched aircraft comprised of a wing with no primary rigid structure and a harness (or
harnesses) necessary to support the pilot (and potentially one passenger)
3.2
harness
paraglider sub assembly for supporting the pilot in the seated or semi-recumbent or standing position
Note 1 to entry: The harness is attached to the wing via two rings or connectors, it can also be integral with the
wing via risers.
3.3
emergency parachute
emergency device intended to slow the descent of a paraglider pilot in the event of an incident in flight,
which is deployed by the pilot by an intentional manual action
3.4
emergency parachute connecting element
element not supplied as an integral part of either a harness or emergency parachute, provided to connect
an emergency parachute to a harness
3.5
clip-in weight
total weight in flight excluding the paraglider
3.6
special emergency parachute attachment points
symmetrical locations on the harness structure provided by the manufacturer specifically for the
attachment of an emergency parachute
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025(E)
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2, locations 1 and 2.
3.7
integrated Y-bridle
load distributing component integrated into the harness structure used to connect the harness to a single
parachute bridle
3.8
structural element
load carrying element of the harness whilst it is tested according to 4.2.1 to 4.2.9
3.9
crotch strap
harness structural element passing between the legs intended to restrain the pilot
3.10
chest strap
Closure system which is a structural element
3.11
closure system
assembly which forms a link between the harness to paraglider riser attachment points (Figure 1,
locations 3 and 4) that bisects the sagittal plane, and is in front of the frontal plane

Key
S sagittal plane
F frontal plane
T transversal plane
3,4 harness attachment for paraglider riser(s)
Figure 1 — Anatomical planes
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025 (E)
3.12
additional closure system
any non-structural harness closure element, below a transversal plane passing through the carabiners
Note 1 to entry: See Figures 1 and 2, locations 3 and 4.
3.13
integrated accessory
integrated non-structural device fitted to a harness in order to make it more useful, part of which can be
detached from the harness by the user
Note 1 to entry: Examples may be a harness “pod”, “cockpit bag” or emergency parachute front container
3.14
impact pad
component of a paraglider harness designed to attenuate the compression force transmitted to the spine
of the pilot in the event of a seated vertical fall
Note 1 to entry: Impact pads may consist of rigid, flexible and inflatable parts. Inflatable impact pads are further
categorized as:
1 - Airstream Inflatable airbag - requires an airstream to inflate all or part of the impact pad
2 - Air-tight airbag - (to be manually inflated before flight or during flight)
3 - Airbag - all other types, that do not require an airstream or manual pre-inflation.
3.15
deployment system
inner container and the extraction handle system, being either a handle fixed to the inner container, or a
free handle and handle attachment point(s) on the inner container
3.16
emergency parachute system
emergency parachute combined with its deployment system
3.17
outer container
external container, that remains attached to the harness after the emergency parachute has been
deployed
Note 1 to entry: this can be an integrated outer container (permanently attached to harness) or attached to the
harness by the user
3.18
inner container
container of the folded emergency parachute
Note 1 to entry: being either a “fully opening inner container”, or “partially opening inner container” as defined
in Annex B
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025(E)
3.19
dummy emergency parachute
emergency parachute for the purpose of testing, where the volume of the folded emergency parachute
(as specified by the emergency parachute manufacturer) is the maximum volume (plus 0% to 20%) of
the inner container maximum volume (as specified by the harness manufacturer)
3.20
compatibility check
a check performed to verify the correct function and the ease of withdrawing the inner container from
the outer container
3.21
durable medium
information given to the user in an unchangeable format that does not allow for unilateral editing or
altering by the information provider, and enables the recipient to store the information in a way that is
accessible for future reference for as long as the user might reasonably need it
4 Safety requirements
4.1 General
All free ends of the harness straps shall be finished with a folded hem making it impossible for the straps
to pass through the adjustable buckles.
The harness shall be made in accordance with accepted practice for textile assemblies.
All attachment points provided on the harness (see Figure 2) that may be used for attachment of the
paraglider or emergency parachute shall be clearly marked in a contrasting colour to the other webbing.
The attachment points for the emergency parachute shall not be in a position lower than the attachment
points of the paraglider and shall be positioned symmetrically on the harness.
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025 (E)
Key
1 special harness attachment for emergency parachute (right)
2 special harness attachment for emergency parachute (left)
3 harness attachment for paraglider riser(s) (right)
4 harness attachment for paraglider riser(s) (left)
5 harness attachment for tow release (right)
6 harness attachment for tow release (left)
B1 dummy attachment to anchorage (right)
B2 dummy attachment to anchorage (left)
A dummy attachment point
F pulling force
Figure 2 — Attachment points for the tests
NOTE The numbering system for attachment points in this Figure 2 is retained in all the following figures of
this document.
4.2 Requirements
4.2.1 Positive symmetric load applied to the paraglider riser attachment points
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.1, there shall be:
a) during the adjustable component slipping test, no slippage of any adjustable element exceeding
10 mm;
b) no rupture of any essential structural part;
c) no rupture of the stitching of any essential structural part;
d) no rupture, slipping or deformation likely to result in the dummy falling out of the harness.
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025(E)
4.2.2 Positive asymmetric load applied to the paraglider riser attachment points
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.2, there shall be:
a) no rupture of any essential structural part;
b) no rupture of the stitching of any essential structural part;
c) no rupture, slipping or deformation that makes it possible for the dummy to fall out of the harness.
4.2.3 Positive symmetric load applied to the emergency parachute attachment points
For harnesses with special emergency parachute attachment points, and / or an integrated Y bridle, when
tested in accordance with 5.5.1.3, there shall be:
a) during the adjustable component slipping test, no slippage of any adjustable element exceeding
10 mm;
b) no rupture of any essential structural part;
c) no rupture of the stitching of any essential structural part;
d) no rupture, slipping or deformation likely to result in the dummy falling out of the harness.
4.2.4 Negative symmetric load applied to the emergency parachute attachment points
For harnesses with special emergency parachute attachment points, and / or an integrated Y-bridle,
which are formed by a separate attached construction which appears to be asymmetric, when tested in
accordance with 5.5.1.4, there shall be:
a) during the adjustable component slipping test, no slippage of any adjustable element exceeding
10 mm;
b) no rupture of any essential structural part;
c) no rupture of the stitching of any essential structural part;
d) no rupture, slipping or deformation likely to result in the dummy falling out of the harness.
4.2.5 Negative symmetric load applied to the tow attachment points
For harnesses with tow attachment points, when tested in accordance with 5.5.1.5, there shall be:
a) no rupture of any essential structural part;
b) no rupture of the stitching of any essential structural part;
c) no rupture, slipping or deformation that makes it possible for the dummy to fall out of the harness.
4.2.6 Negative symmetric load applied to the paraglider riser attachment points
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.6, there shall be:
a) no rupture of any essential structural part;
b) no rupture of the stitching of any essential structural part;
c) no rupture, slipping or deformation likely to result in the dummy falling out of the harness.
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025 (E)
4.2.7 Upright position load
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.7, there shall be:
a) during the adjustable component slipping test, no slippage of any adjustable element exceeding
10 mm;
b) no rupture of any essential structural part;
c) no rupture of the stitching of any essential structural part;
d) no rupture, slipping or deformation likely to result in the dummy falling out of the harness.
4.2.8 Emergency parachute connecting element
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.8, there shall be no rupture of any essential structural part.
4.2.9 Anti slipping-out systems
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.9.1 and 5.5.1.9.2 there shall be:
a) no rupture of any essential structural part;
b) no rupture of the stitching of any essential structural part;
c) no rupture, slipping or deformation likely to result in the dummy falling out of the harness.
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.9.2, the non-structural element taking the load shall be part of the
closure of at least one integrated accessory.
4.2.10 Static parachute extraction test for harnesses with integrated emergency parachute
outer container(s)
For harnesses with integrated emergency parachute outer container(s), the extraction of the emergency
parachute system shall be tested in accordance with 5.5.1.11.
4.2.11 Deployment system strength test
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.12.1, there shall be no failure of any component of the deployment
system.
4.2.12 Deployment system opening test for partially opening inner containers
If the harness is supplied with a partially opening inner container(s) (see Annex B) a deployment test
shall be carried out with all inner container(s) supplied with the harness. A dummy emergency parachute
shall be installed.
When tested in accordance with 5.5.1.12.2, the inner container will release the full emergency parachute
(lines and parachute canopy material) without delay. The inner container shall separate completely from
the emergency parachute.
4.3 Vertical impact pad test requirements
Where the manufacturer claims the harness is equipped with an impact pad, the pad shall be tested in
accordance with the test procedure 5.5.2.
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025(E)
Stiff or rigid parts on the harness or impact pad shall only be permitted if no injuries to the back, neck or
head of the user are likely from these parts. The design and materials of the impact pad shall ensure as
far as possible that no bending or point loads to the back, neck or head of the user may occur on impact
or deformation.
The impact pad shall not depend on manual activation prior to impact.
4.4 Emergency parachute deployment test requirements
The requirements of this clause shall apply to integrated container(s) designed for an emergency
parachute(s) according to EN 12491.
If the harness comprises all or parts of an emergency parachute, these parts shall comply with EN 12491.
For harnesses with integrated outer containers, test deployments shall be made from all integrated outer
container locations.
The test is to be undertaken by the harness manufacturer according to 5.5.3. The manufacturer shall
provide an attestation of completion of the test.
5 Test methods
5.1 Principles
Unless otherwise specified, times are minimum cumulative duration and load requirements are minimum
values.
5.2 Strength tests
The strength of the harness and the safety of its occupant are verified using a dummy and the application
of various forces to the attachment points (see Figure 2).
The attachment points of the harness (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) shall be connected to the test equipment by metallic
connectors of a minimum of 6 mm diameter. If the sample is equipped with connectors recommended by
the manufacturer, these shall be used to connect it to the test equipment.
The equipment supplied for testing shall be identical in all aspects with the marketed model.
If the manufacturer recommends a maximum clip-in weight of more than 100 kg, unless otherwise
specifically defined, all of the specified loads shall be increased by multiplying by the factor K. K is
calculated as:
m
c
K= (1)
m
ref
where
K is the factor for the specified load
m is the clip-in weight, in kg
c
m is the reference weight of 100 kg
ref
5.3 Vertical impact test
Where the manufacturer claims the harness is equipped with an impact pad, the damping of the impact
pad is verified using apparatus consisting of a vertical impact dummy and various measurement tools.
The equipment supplied for testing shall be identical in all aspects with the marketed model.
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025 (E)
The test shall be performed with a dummy installed in an apparatus to ensure a vertical guided fall (see
Figure 4).
The impact pad test shall be conducted at an ambient temperature of (20° ± 5) °C. The impact pad itself
shall be at ambient temperature prior to testing.
5.4 Apparatus
5.4.1 Apparatus for strength tests
5.4.1.1 Seated dummy
A dummy in the seated position according to Figure 3 is to be used.
A tolerance of ± 5 % is allowed to the test dummy dimensions in Figure 3.
The ring indicated at the neck of the dummy in Figure 3 is an optional force application point.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 3 — Seated dummy
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025(E)
5.4.1.2 Electronic sensor for force measurement
A calibrated electronic sensor equipped with an electronic strain gauge for measuring the force (sampling
a minimum of 10 times per second) is required.
5.4.1.3 Measurement circuit
A measurement circuit with a graph clearly showing the force (N) against time (s) is required.
5.4.2 Apparatus for vertical impact test
5.4.2.1 Harness impact pad test dummy leaning position
The dummy shall be installed in a rearward leaning position at an angle alpha “α” between (22.5° ± 1°)
as illustrated in Figure 4.
Key
1 impact surface
2 vertical plane
3 dummy
4 lowest point of the dummy α dummy rearwards leaning angle
Figure 4 — Angle of attack of the impact pad test dummy
5.4.2.2 Harness impact pad test dummy description
The falling mass, excluding the harness, shall be a minimum of 50 kg.
The dummy shall be constructed according to Figure 5. A tolerance of 5 % is allowed for the test dummy
dimensions in Figure 5.
oSIST prEN 1651:2026
prEN 1651:2025 (E)
The dummy shall be made of a suitably robust and rigid material to withstand the tests without distortion.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 5 — Harness impact pad test dummy
5.4.2.3 Impact plate and dummy characteristics
The impact plate shall be horizontal and flat with anti-slip properties.
The damping of the system shall be checked by dropping the falling mass with no harness from 4 cm
(±2 mm) measured from the surface and shall produce a measured impact value of not less than 20 g.
5.4.2.4 Electronic device for vertical impact pad test
5.4.2.4.1 Vertical axis accelerometer
The accelerometer shall be mounted on the dummy, close to its centre of mass, to measure acceleration
in the direction of gravity within a tolerance of ± 10°.
5.4.2.4.2 A/D Converter
The acceleration during the fall should be recorded with a frequency not less than 1 000 Hz.
5.5 Procedure
5.5.1 Strength test methods
5.5.1.1 Positive symmetric load applied to the paraglider riser attachment points
The test is carried out with the dummy seated and strapped correctly in the harness and anchored by two
points (see points B1 and B2 in Figure 6).
If there are any relevant adjustable components, first carry out the adjustable component slipping test
according to 5.5.1.10 by applying a force of 4 500 N for 5 s to the two paraglider riser attachment points
(see poi
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