SFI, FIA & SNELL TAG GUIDE 

KNOW THE BASICS. Scroll through for explanation of SFI, FIA, SNELL tags & expiration dates.

ALWAYS CHECK YOUR HELMETS, SEATS, HARNESSES, NETS, FHR DATE TAGS they have expiration dates.

  • 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 mandated, 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 to protect them.

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

  • Be Careful with your purchases - some vendors (and not always deliberately) will sell you a non-current tag. Often a lower price paid will reflect this. Always ask the vendor for the dates on your purchase.

  • The SFI & FIA now make it easier to learn the product’s final expiration date. 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 for two years.

  • Expiration lengths vary with the sanctioning safety councils, 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. FIA harnesses are for five years, SFI state two years.

  • Note the non-pro racing series such as those held by NASA & SCCA are more lenient with compliance to the products expiration dates, especially SFI nets & harnesses. However, this does vary with the regions - so check their safety regulations or (best) contact the organization directly. We are aware SCCA extends the operating life of those SFI two year tagged, webbed, safety restraints (including nets and harnesses) to five years. NASA now, is no longer worried about your net dates. We again, 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 item. The most up-to-date FIA homologations have gold hologram stickers, the previous generation was silver.

  • Note: A Silver FIA hologram does not indicate the product is out-of-date and cannot be used. It simple indicates an earlier model and one that complies with generation’s safety homologations.

  • SNELL auto helmet tags are now harder to access. 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. In October 2025 Snell will introduce their SA2025 models. Often these helmets are not immediately available with a gradual introduction to the US market. Each motorsports club or racing organization will adapt to the situation. Before the 2026 season check the groups current helmet requirements.

  • Helmets can be FIA and/or SNELL tagged. International racing series require a FIA helmet. The FIA works differently and does not automatically change the homologation every five years. They change or upgrade their testing criteria for the level of the sport and/or when they believe it is necessary - adapting to new safety requirements, critical events, new technology and the availability of new materials.

  • FIA Helmets have the tags 8859 or 8860 (advanced) followed by the year of the homologation. For example; 8859-2024 (latest) 8859-2015 (previous) 8878-2024 (karting latest) Note, having a previous generations FIA helmet does not necessarily mean your helmet is out of date - check with the event’s organization rules.

  • For FIA Safety Apparel the year of the homologation will be displayed following the FIA apparel code. For example: 8856 indicates the FIA Standard for safety apparel. 8856-2018 denotes the current homologation for FIA apparel - including suits, gloves, shoes, underwear. (8856-2000 indicates the year of the previous homologation for apparel.)

  • For 8856-2018 - the FIA made changes. The product will display an expiration date - which is 10 years from the year of manufacture (Not valid after…) Note FIA sanctioned racing series will conform, but other series, especially those in the US, do not enforce these expiration dates. In all likelihood, the many products will not survive ten years - especially gloves. However, the FIA is tired of seeing racers walking around in old, damaged, faded, frayed, dirty, oiled-stained products (especially suits) - safety-hazard conditions.

  • SFI SAFETY APPAREL as yet, have no expiration dates, although we understand this could be changing and we will keep you posted. The SFI does update its safety standards, yet not on any regular basis. In general, manufacturers are informed of the updates plus how & when to- comply.

  • NOTE: organizations that mandate safety apparel WILL check their condition, and can reject a item - dirty, oil stained, frayed, holes - anything that compromises a drivers safety. We have seen many rejected shoes. NOTE oil penetrates the fabric and becomes a passage for heat and flames.

  • KNOW YOUR TAGS and where to find them, plus never remove them! The tags with their expirations dates are created for your safety. Sanctioning bodies and event organizes will look for these tags - even on socks.

  • The safety, certifications organizations will revise their testing requirements when they see fit. Adjusting to the latest innovations, technology, materials, racing series, new safety hazards, and increased speeds.