HECC has become aware of several different products that have been developed and are on the market that are presented as "concussion indicators" or devices that claim to measure the severity of impact that results from contact-either directly to the head or otherwise (defined here and hereinafter referred to as DEVICES). These DEVICES are available on the market in different forms, including stick on type devices that are applied to the inside or outside of the helmet, devices that are intended to replace the chin cup that came with the manufactured helmet as well as other products that have not yet reached the marketplace.

At this time HECC has not been presented with enough research to determine the accuracy of any of these products in predicting concussions or accurately measuring impact forces applied to the head via an indirect sensor mounted on the helmet or chin. In the light of the above, HECC offers the guidance below to players, parents, coaches and officials on the use of those DEVICES.

1. HECC has determined that any modification to the helmet or chin cup will void the helmet's certification. This would include any device that is applied to the helmet, or any device (like a chin cup) that replaces the components of the approved helmet.
2. A helmet modified with any DEVICE must be certified by HECC with that modification. It is HECC's position that:
   1. The original helmet manufacturer must approve the use of the DEVICE with its product, AND
   2. The modified product must be certified by the HECC validator to ensure that it still meets the applicable test standard.

Without meeting these two requirements the HECC Certification is voided by the addition of the DEVICE.

Certified Products (including any tested combination of a helmet and DEVICE) are posted on the HECC web site, HECC.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Certification of helmets modified with DEVICES in no way indicates an endorsement by HECC of any particular DEVICE or a recommendation as to its effectiveness or benefit to the young athlete.

Visors provide significantly less protection than full face protection.

Visors provide only partial protection for the eyes and no protection for the mouth, teeth, lower face, and jaw.

To minimize the risks of injury, full-face protection is recommended.

OCTOBER 2009

HECC ANNOUNCES DECERTIFICATION OF ALL WARWICK MASK AND EQUIPMENT INC.'S FACE MASKS AND HELMETS

The Hockey Equipment Certification Council has decertified all face masks and helmets manufactured and sold by Warwick Mask and Equipment Inc. HECC believes that up to 100 face mask/helmet goalie combinations were sold by Warwick placing counterfeit HECC stickers on them and without having submitted the product to HECC certification. Although some helmets were later certified, there is so much confusion in the marketplace about which helmets are truly certified and which are not, that HECC has determined that it must decertify all Warwick equipment.

This notice will be going to USA Hockey, Inc., the NCAA, Federation of High Schools and will also be placed on the HECC web site.

NOVEMBER 2007

NOTICE OF RECALL

Warwick Mask & Equipment, Inc. announces a voluntary recall of goalie masks that it sold since 2000 bearing a sticker describing certification by The Hockey Equipment Certification Council, Inc. ("HECC"). This recall is necessitated by the fact that goalie masks sold by Warwick Mask & Equipment, Inc. since 2000, bearing HECC certification stickers, were in fact not certified by HECC. The purpose of this notice is to make all purchasers of such goalie masks aware that the goalie masks were not certified by HECC and to provide Warwick customers an opportunity to replace the goalie mask or obtain a refund as described below.

Warwick Mask & Equipment, Inc. will replace these masks that are still being used for HECC certified hockey with another goalie mask certified by HECC, or refund the customer's purchase price, discounted at a reasonable amount based on the age and condition of the returned mask. All returns and refund requests must be made by the original purchaser, and must be accompanied by proof of purchase, the original mask, and the original HECC sticker. This recall shall extend for six months from the date of this notice.

To contact Warwick Mask & Equipment, Inc., please call (810) 966-3431 or send an e-mail to: warwick@arenet.net

Hazard Identified
The chin strap of the recalled helmets may disengage while being used by consumers. If the chin strap disengages, the helmet can fall off, posing a potential safety risk to neck and head injuries.

Although the recalled helmets carry HECC and CSA certification stickers, the product affected by this recall no longer meet these certification standards.

Health Canada has not received reports of incidents or incidents to Canadians related to the use of these helmets.

Corrective Action
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helmets.

Consumers may return the helmets to the store of purchase for a replacement.

For additional information, consumers may contact the firm's Customer Service Department at 1-800-636-5895 if they are located in Canada, or 1-800-451-4600 if they are located in the U.S.A.

Number Sold
Approximately 4,200 of the recalled helmets were sold in North America.

Time Period Sold
The recalled helmets were sold from May 2008 to July 2008.

The helmets were sold nationwide; especially in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario where almost half of the sales occurred.

Manufactured in Canada.

Manufacturer
Sport Maska Inc., of Montreal, Quebec

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Please take notice that no WJD Pro product is currently certified by HECC. As such, WJD products are no longer certified for play in any USA Hockey sanctioned event or league, or any league requiring HECC certified equipment.

If you have questions regarding this notice you should contact Dr. Alan Ashare at admin@hecc.org.

As a public service, we are also posting the enclosed notice from the Canadian Standards Association ("CSA") regarding WJD products. The CSA is responsible for its content and should be contacted for further information.

Thank you.

  WJD CSA Notice.pdf