STUDSON Introduces SHK-2 Safety Helmet With Full KOROYD Interior

STUDSON has introduced the SHK-2, a new industrial safety helmet that replaces the EPS-based interior of its previous SHK-1 design with a fully integrated KOROYD structure. The helmet was unveiled at the 2026 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis and is designed for applications including construction, utilities, electrical work, roofing and oil and gas.

Full KOROYD Interior

According to STUDSON, the SHK-2 is its first industrial safety helmet to use KOROYD material throughout the interior beneath the shell. The system uses precision-welded tubes that form a crumple zone designed to absorb impact energy. At the same time, the structure creates airflow pathways intended to help dissipate heat around the wearer's head.

Unlike active cooling solutions, the SHK-2 does not use bolt-on fans or battery packs for cooling.

Designed for Type II Protection

STUDSON states that the SHK-2 has been designed and built to comply with the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026 Type II+ standard, addressing both top and lateral impacts. The company also says the helmet underwent third-party laboratory testing covering penetration, environmental resistance and high-velocity impact, together with field testing involving working crews.

The Type II+ designation is particularly relevant to the updated 2026 standard, which includes additional testing related to chin-strap retention, roll-off and off-center force transmission.

Standard Brim and Full Brim Models

STUDSON plans to launch the Standard Brim and Full Brim versions together, with first shipments expected in Q4 2026. A CSA-certified version is targeted for summer 2027, according to the company.

Why It Matters

The SHK-2 highlights a broader direction in industrial head protection: integrating impact management, ventilation and wearer comfort into the helmet's core construction rather than treating them as separate features.

For workers who wear safety helmets throughout long shifts, thermal comfort can be an important part of PPE usability. The SHK-2 takes a passive approach by combining impact-absorbing material with airflow pathways in the same internal structure.

ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026 Introduces New “+” Designations for Enhanced Head Protection

A new edition of the U.S. industrial head protection standard introduces additional testing criteria designed to give safety professionals more information when selecting protective helmets.

The ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026 standard was released in September by the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The revision retains the existing Type I and Type II classifications but adds optional testing criteria for enhanced protection features.

What Has Changed?

One of the most visible changes is the introduction of the “+” designation.

Under the revised system:

• Type I+ identifies head protection incorporating enhanced retention, chin-strap performance and multi-directional impact protection.
• Type II+ identifies helmets providing Type II impact protection together with enhanced retention and chin-strap performance.

The standard also introduces additional testing related to helmet retention and chin-strap retention. Type I+ includes additional multi-point impact testing covering front, rear and side impacts.

Reverse Wearing and Visibility Markings

The revised standard also adds guidance and testing considerations for certain helmets worn in reverse.

Another terminology change concerns visibility markings. The previous HV (High Visibility) marking is updated to EV (Enhanced Visibility) in the context of head protection, reflecting that head protection is outside the ANSI/ISEA 107 high-visibility apparel standard.

Existing Compliant Helmets Are Not Automatically Obsolete

An important point for employers is that the 2026 revision does not make previously compliant head protection automatically obsolete.

Europe’s PPE Market Is Growing — But Compliance Is Becoming a Bigger Competitive Factor

Europe's personal protective equipment market is projected to continue expanding through the end of the decade, while regulatory requirements and product compliance are becoming increasingly important factors for manufacturers and buyers.

A September 2026 analysis from MarketsandMarkets estimates that the European PPE market will grow from $12.62 billion in 2025 to $16.02 billion by 2030, representing a projected CAGR of 4.88%. The research identifies workplace safety regulations and continuing compliance requirements as important factors supporting demand.

A separate September 2026 estimate from Grand View Research puts Europe's PPE market at approximately $28.4 billion in 2026, with projected growth to approximately $43.1 billion by 2033, equivalent to a 6.1% CAGR. The difference between the estimates illustrates an important point: market size figures vary considerably depending on methodology, segmentation and definitions.

Compliance Is Becoming a Market Issue

The regulatory environment provides more than a legal framework — it can directly influence purchasing decisions and market access.

In September, the European Commission reported the results of an EU-funded testing campaign involving 65 professional safety helmets purchased across eight European countries.

Of those helmets:

• 46 samples (71%) met the requirements
• 19 samples (29%) did not
• eight failures were classified as serious risk
• four were classified as high risk
• six products were withdrawn from the market
• two products were recalled
• one product received a sales ban

The most common failure involved shock absorption.

What This Means for Manufacturers

For PPE manufacturers selling into Europe, compliance is therefore not simply a certification issue. It directly impacts market access, purchasing decisions, brand reputation, and product liability.