Racewear Homologation Guide - FIA 8856-2000 & FIA 8856-2018

by Neil Garner July 19, 2021

2019 saw a new FIA homologation being introduced for all racewear, which includes overalls, underwear, boots, and gloves. This new standard - FIA 8856-2018 required heavier materials to cope with a 20% increase in fire protection above the previous homologations and has been implemented to increase safety within the cockpit.

While the new suits are heavier in weight, in most of the current manufacturer's suits available in this new standard, they offer better breathability which is a real benefit to the driver.

Another thing that has been changed, which has not been the case previously, is that the 8856-2018 homologation will be the first FIA standard of racewear to feature an expiry date on the label. The lifespan of the garment will now be 10 years from the date of manufacture, this applies to FIA events and subject to implementation by national governing bodies as well. This implementation is to make sure that the competitor has a suit that has not lost its fireproof properties due to old age and overwashing.

This homologation has been made mandatory for all competitors in the higher echelons of the sport and was brought into force for the following championships below, albeit some have already been applied.

From 2019: Mandatory for FIA Formula E

From 1st Jan 2020: Mandatory for F1 and WRC RC1 Crews

From 2020: Mandatory in FIA WEC (2020/21 Season)

From 1st Jan 2021: Mandatory in FIA Formula 2, FIA World RX, FIA Euro RX, FIA Cross Country

From 1st Jan 2029: Mandatory for all competitors in FIA sanctioned events.

From a UK national competitors' point of view, from 1st January 2029, your current racewear homologated to the older FIA 8856-2000 standard is not valid for use, so it is still eligible for a number of years yet.

As of now you can still buy and have many years of use with the current FIA 8856-2000 racewear, and many motorsport retailers will still sell fireproof clothing to this standard. Although, as of 1st January 2022 all-new racewear will have to be manufactured to the new and the latest FIA homologation, and as such will last only 10 years.

Unlike the current standard of race suits with the homologation label on the back of the collar, This new standard of racewear will also carry a 10-year expiry date, and the “not valid after” date will be shown on the FIA label.

FIA Events - Overall Validity

Racing overalls approved in accordance with FIA Standard 8856-2000 that were produced before 01-Jan 2013 – along with undergarments, gloves, and balaclavas produced before 01-Jan 2016 – do not display an FIA hologram, while these products mentioned previously, that have been manufactured after these dates will have been produced with the FIA’s hologram labeling system.

The FIA has decided to limit the validity of fireproof clothing without a hologram, for FIA sanctioned events to the following dates:

• OVERALLS with the old labelling (without an FIA hologram) will not be accepted after 31.12.2022

• UNDERGARMENTS, GLOVES, BALACLAVAS, and SHOES with the old labelling (without an FIA hologram) will not be accepted after 31.12.2023

• This limitation will not apply to socks as labelling for socks has not changed.

Please see below for the Current New Zealand regulations for Protective Clothing as of 19/07/21

4.3

Protective Clothing:

(1)

Types of Protective Clothing: Protective clothing is categorised as follows and shall include but is not limited to the following types as per Chart (1):

	Chart (1) – Protective Clothing Types / Standards
	Overall	Underwear	Socks	Shoes	Gloves	Balaclava
	One-piece garment worn as an outermost layer, designed with close fitting front, cuffs and ankles which entirely cover the wearer except for the head, hands and feet	Garments designed to be worn between the overall and the wearer’s body entirely covering the wearer except for the head, hands and feet	One-piece close fitting garment covering at least to mid-calf	Garment that covers the whole foot and ankle	Garment that covers the whole hand and wrist	One-piece close fitting garment that covers the head and neck
A	FIA 8856-2000⁽¹⁾ FIA 8856-2018⁽²⁾	FIA 8856-2000⁽¹⁾ FIA 8856-2018⁽²⁾	FIA 8856-2000⁽¹⁾ FIA 8856-2018⁽²⁾	FIA 8856-2000⁽¹⁾ FIA 8856-2018⁽²⁾	FIA 8856-2000⁽¹⁾ FIA 8856-2018⁽²⁾	FIA 8856-2000⁽¹⁾ FIA 8856-2018⁽²⁾
B	FIA Norm 1986 ISO 6940⁽⁸⁾ Multi-layer SFI 3.2A/5⁽⁴⁾ Multi-layer FR material⁽³⁾	SFI 3.3,⁽⁷⁾ ISO 6940^{(7, 8)}	SFI 3.3 ISO 6940⁽⁸⁾	SFI 3.3 ISO 6940⁽⁸⁾	SFI 3.3 ISO 6940⁽⁸⁾	SFI 3.3 ISO 6940⁽⁸⁾
C	SFI 3.2A/1,⁽⁵⁾ ISO 6940⁽⁸⁾ Single-layer FR material⁽³⁾	Cotton⁽⁶⁾ Wool	Cotton⁽⁶⁾ Wool	Leather	Leather	–
D	Cotton⁽⁶⁾	–	–	–	–	–
E	No Req’mt	No Req’mt	No Req’mt	No Req’mt	No Req’mt	No Req’mt

References:

1. All garments certified to FIA 8856-2000 Std are detailed in FIA Technical List No.27. Where FIA Std garments are mandated under this schedule all garments must maintain compliance with the standard.

2. FIA 8856-2018 will become mandatory for level A from 31 December 2028 for FIA inscribed classes.

3. (FR) Fire Resistant means garments made from purpose designed fabrics with ‘built-in’ self-extinguishing properties. The material must be identified on the manufacturers label with common examples being; Nomex, CarbonX, Proban®, ProTek®, Pyrovatex®, Aramid fibres etc.

4. SFI 3.2A/5< means SFI Quality Assurance Specifications 3.2A/5, 3.2A/10, 3.2A/15 and 3.2A/20. The SFI 3.2A Spec label will be found on the left arm or the collar.

5. SFI 3.2A/1< means SFI Quality Assurance Specifications 3.2A/1 and 3.2A/3. The SFI 3.2A Spec label will be found on the left arm or the collar.

6. All cotton garments except socks must have a manufacturer label stating 100% Cotton (no ‘Spandex’ or Synthetics).

7. Garments manufactured to this standard in a ‘short sleeved’ or ‘short pant’ version can be accepted.

8. Signifies that the material the garment has been made from has been tested to ISO6940.

Notes:

1. Garments predominantly made of a flammable material such as nylon or similar synthetics are not approved for use under any circumstance.

2. FIA Technical Lists are accessed at: www.fia.com

(2)

Protective Clothing Requirements: All occupants shall wear clothing made to an approved standard or of an approved standard and design as per chart (2):

	Chart (2) – Protective Clothing Requirements
		Overall	Underwear	Socks	Shoes	Gloves	Balaclava
Race	International Race Meeting	A	A	A	A	A	A
	Championship	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B
	National Race Meeting	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B
	Clubmans Race Meeting	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B
Rally	Championship	A	A	A	A	A*	A
	National Rally	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B	A, B
	Clubmans Rally (incl Rallysprints)	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B	A, B
	Other	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B, C	A, B, C	E	E
ClubSport	Advanced (excl Rallysprints)	A, B, C	(A, B, C)⁽⁶⁾	A, B, C	A, B, C	E	E
	Basic	A, B, C, D	(A, B, C)⁽⁶⁾⁽⁷⁾	A, B, C⁽⁷⁾	A, B, C	E	E
	Motorkhanas and Car Trials	E	E	E	E	E	E
	*The wearing of gloves is optional for co-drivers.

Notes:

1. The specified letters [A, B, C, D, E] correspond to the specific requirements applied to the item of clothing as detailed in Chart (1).

2. Requirements for International Status Events shall comply with the current regulations published by the FIA.

3. Requirements are as specified unless detailed otherwise within Event Supplementary Regulations or Series Regulations as approved by MotorSport NZ.

4. Requirements for passengers will be the same unless detailed otherwise within Event Supplementary Regulations or Sanctioned Series Regulations as approved by MotorSport NZ.

5. Condition – dirty, damaged, ill-fitting or excessively worn garments may render them unsuitable for use.

6. Only mandatory where a single-layer overall is worn.

7. For Autocross and Standing Sprint Single Car events there is no requirement for compliant underwear or socks but any garments worn beneath overalls must be either cotton or wool.

Recommendations: It is strongly reommended that:

1. All Occupants wear garments that comply with an approved standard wherever a choice is authorised, and

2. Careful consideration should be given when purchasing garments to any future progression through the various disciplines, and

3. Garments are ‘loose fitting’ as this increases the level of protection, and

4. Any badges sewn directly onto the overalls shall be ‘Fire-Resistant’ backed and attached using fire-resistant thread. Any embroidery shall be sewn on to the outermost layer of the garment only, and

5. The application of printing and/or iron-on patches should only be carried out by the manufacturer of the garment and must be flameproof and in conformity with FIA 8856-2000, and

6. Drivers of single-seater cars in races with standing starts wear gloves in a colour which contrasts with the predominant colour of the car, so that the driver can clearly draw the attention of the race starter in case of difficulties, and

7. Any rainproof garments designed to be worn over the overalls must not be made of flammable material (e.g. nylon or similar synthetics), and

8. Where a cool-suit is worn it must comply with FIA 8856-2000 or SFI 3.3A, or be worn in conjunction with FIA 8856-2000 or SFI 3.3A underwear between the cool-suit and the wearers body.