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

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, Extreme E

From 1st Jan 2022: Mandatory in World Rally Championship events in all categories from Rally 1 to Rally 4

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 note, the regulations for clothing for UK national events have not changed. Overalls and other protective clothing regulations can be found in the Bluebook under Section (K) regulations 9.1 and 14.3, respectively.

If you have any concerns or queries about this new standard of racewear, please speak to Nicky Grist Motorsports who will be happy to help you: email [email protected]

Blog post by: Tom Magnay on 12 September 2019 Last edited by Tom Magnay on 4 February 2022