ISO 21924-3:2017 PDF

Overview

ISO 21924-3:2017 - "Protective equipment for martial arts - Part 3: Additional requirements and test methods for trunk protectors" specifies supplemental requirements and test procedures for trunk (torso) protectors used in unarmed martial arts such as taekwondo, karate, kick‑boxing and similar disciplines. It also explicitly applies to breast protectors for men. General requirements and baseline test methods are covered in ISO 21924‑1:2017; ISO 21924‑3 adds trunk‑specific sizing, restraint, impact and marking rules.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Applies to trunk protectors and male breast protectors for unarmed martial arts.
• Sizing: Manufacturers must indicate the wearer's height range (in centimetres) for each protector.
• Combinations: States whether the trunk protector can be used in combination with other protectors; restrictions must be declared.
• Restraint: A restraint system must allow the wearer to don the protector with the aid of at most one assistant. For karate, fixing systems must be textile only (no metal, plastic or hard materials).
• Zone of protection: Location and dimensions for protected areas are defined (see standard table/figure for height‑based dimensions).
• Impact performance:
  • General impact energy: 12 J
  • Karate specific impact energy: 2.6 J
  • Maximum peak force: 3 kN
  • Minimum positions to be tested: 3
• Karate‑specific mass & thickness limits:
  • Maximum mass: 250 g
  • Maximum thickness: 15 mm
• Testing requirements:
  • Sampling and conditioning referenced to ISO 21924‑1.
  • Restraint test: 50 N applied around the edge of the protection zone in prescribed directions.
  • Impact test apparatus: flat steel plate with central hole, 100 ± 2 mm cylindrical anvil, compression ring (10 kg), guided free‑fall striker; load cell with ≥2000 Hz measurement frequency and max load 10 kN.
• Marking & manufacturer information: Follows ISO 21924‑1; karate protectors must be marked for karate-only use.

Applications and who uses this standard

• Manufacturers and product designers - to design compliant trunk protectors that meet sizing, restraint, impact and material limits.
• Testing laboratories and certification bodies - to perform standardized sampling, conditioning and impact tests for type approval or quality control.
• Sports federations and competition organizers - to specify acceptable protective equipment for events (taekwondo, karate, kick‑boxing).
• Procurement and safety officers - to select products meeting published performance criteria for training centers, dojos and clubs.
• Regulators and standards committees - to harmonize protective equipment requirements and reduce injury risk.

Related standards

• ISO 21924‑1:2017 - Protective equipment for martial arts - Part 1: General requirements and test methods (referenced for sampling, conditioning, marking and general rules).
• See the ISO 21924 series for other parts addressing different protective items.

Keywords: ISO 21924-3, trunk protectors, martial arts protective equipment, impact performance, test methods, karate trunk protector, taekwondo safety.