The British Fencing Association is committed to bringing their current safety standards in line with the new CEN regulations by 2006. The lead-in time of 5 years, is to allow a resonable time for replacement of kit. The new regulations will impact on all levels of fencing, including fencing in local clubs and competitions in Hertfordshire.
The CEN1 Equipment standard will be used for all non-electric - ie. 'steam' fencing . CEN1 requires that all jackets, plastrons and masks have a minimum protection of 350 Newtons. Breeches are recommended, but not mandatory, other trousers may be worn with pockets and openings zipped up or taped closed.
The standard for adult 'electric' fencing requires CEN1 jackets, masks with a minimum protection of 350 Newtons. Plastrons must be of CEN2 standard, with a minimum protection of 800 Newtons. Proper fencing breeches are mandatory and must be CEN1 standard or better. Younger fencers fencing 'electric' with size 3 blades or smaller, are able to follow the guidelines for steam fencing.
Two current H.F.A competitions are run as steam foil - the Individual Novice Foil and the Novice League. The current phrasing on the entry forms states that: "The novices competition will be fenced with electric equipment where possible, though this is not mandatory". This will be changed as follows: "The competition will be run as 'steam' foil, with the requirement of CEN1 equipment, breeches are recommended but not mandatory."
A further two categories of the H.F.A Age Group Competitions (U10 and U12 Foil) are run using size 3 blades or smaller. The current phrasing on the entry forms states that: "Electric foil will be used for the U20 event, and where possible for the other events when fencers agree to its use." This will be changed to "U20, U16 and U14 event will be fully electric, CEN1 jackets. masks and breeches with CEN2 plastrons will be required. U12 and U10 events will be run as 'steam' foil, but shall be electric when fencers agree to its use, CEN1 jackets. masks and plastrons will be required breeches are recommended but not mandatory."
All other H.F.A. competitions are run with electric equipment. The current entry form states "The competition will be fenced with electric equipment throughout". The sentence "CEN1 jackets, masks and breeches with CEN2 plastrons will be required." will be added.
These regulations will be enforced from January 2006.
