Snell Memorial Foundation
Snell Memorial Foundation is a non-profit standards body that certifies motorcycle, auto racing, equestrian, and karting helmets at its ISO 17025:2017 lab for paying manufacturers and end consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersNorth Highlands, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Snell Memorial Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Snell Memorial Foundation
- Legal name
- Snell Foundation
- Website
- https://smf.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Snell Memorial Foundation is a non-profit standards body that certifies motorcycle, auto racing, equestrian, and karting helmets at its ISO 17025:2017 lab for paying manufacturers and end consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Snell Memorial Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Safety Testing and Certification Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Certification Program Administration & Scheme Management (Standard Owners) (AFALACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Powersports Safety, Helmets & Protective Gear Manufacturing (IMACAEAN)
Keywords
Where Snell Memorial Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Highlands
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Snell Memorial Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Helmet Certification Testing Fees: Helmet manufacturers pay testing fees to have their helmets evaluated and certified at Snell laboratories. The testing includes initial qualification tests and ongoing random sample testing of certified helmets in the market.
- Certification Labels: Each Snell certified helmet includes a unique serial numbered label with barcode. Manufacturers pay for these certification labels that are affixed to each certified helmet. The estimated direct cost to manufacturers is about $2.00 per helmet.
- Educational Materials and Donations: Snell Foundation offers educational materials including videos, brochures, and handouts. Some materials are free while others are available for a nominal fee. Tax-deductible donations are accepted for the Snell Research Center.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Manufacturer Testing Fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Certification Labels |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Snell Memorial Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Snell Memorial Foundation provides independent third-party helmet safety certification testing services through its ISO 17025:2017 accredited laboratory in Sacramento, California. Helmet manufacturers submit products for rigorous impact, penetration, retention, and visual field testing against Snell's independently developed standards (M-series for motorcycle, SA-series for auto racing, E-series for equestrian, K-series for karting). Certified helmets receive serialized labels with barcodes, and Snell continuously purchases random samples from retailers for ongoing compliance verification.
Product overview
The Snell Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization offering helmet certification services rather than a commercial product company. The core offering consists of certification testing against independently developed standards for various helmet types: M-series for motorcycling, SA-series for auto racing, E-series for equestrian sports, and K-series for karting. Snell operates an ISO 17025:2017 certified laboratory that conducts rigorous testing, then publishes certified helmet lists for consumer verification. The organization also provides educational materials, standards documentation, and maintains a random sample testing program for market compliance verification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Snell Helmet Certification Program Third-party helmet certification testing program where manufacturers submit helmets for rigorous laboratory testing against Snell's independently developed safety standards. Certified helmets receive serialized labels with barcodes.
- M-Series Motorcycle Helmet Standards Motorcycle helmet safety standards (M2025, M2020) offering premium impact protection beyond government-mandated DOT and ECE requirements, with enhanced requirements for direct and rotational impact forces.
- SA-Series Auto Racing Helmet Standards Auto racing helmet safety standards (SA2025, SA2020, SA2015) designed for competitive automotive sports, including flammability testing requirements not present in M or K standards.
- E-Series Equestrian Helmet Standards Equestrian helmet safety standards (E2021) for protective headgear used in horseback riding, including optional chin bar configurations and approved by the US Equestrian Federation for use in competitions.
- K-Series Karting Helmet Standards Helmet safety standards for karting, with requirements adapted for the specific safety needs of karting environments.
- Helmet Testing Laboratory Services ISO 17025:2017 certified testing laboratory in California where helmets undergo rigorous impact, visual field, face shield penetration, buckle system, and other destructive and non-destructive tests.
- Certified Helmet Lists Publicly available lists of currently Snell certified helmets by model and size, updated daily, allowing consumers to verify certification status before purchasing.
- Helmet Safety Educational Materials Free educational resources including videos, brochures, flyers, and presentation materials explaining helmet safety, how helmets work, and proper helmet selection and fitting.
Quantifiable outcome
- Snell M2020 helmets provide nearly double the impact protection of DOT/ECE helmets
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Snell Memorial Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Snell Memorial Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Snell Memorial Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Motorcycle Industry CouncilcoreSnell Foundation joined the Motorcycle Industry Council in 2025 to support motorcycle safety initiatives and promote helmet safety education.
- US Equestrian FederationcoreThe US Equestrian Federation Board of Directors approved adding helmets certified to Snell equestrian helmet standards E2016 and E2021 to its helmet use rules, effective July 2023. This recognition validates Snell equestrian helmet standards for competitive equestrian sports.
- State Motorcycle Safety Association (SMSA)coreAnnual partnership for SMSA National Summit and conference presentations on helmet safety. Snell donates certified helmets for raffles to support motorcycle safety training programs.
- International Council of Motorsport Sciences (ICMS)coreSnell presents research and seminars on helmet safety at ICMS conferences and events, including rotational impact testing results and helmet validation testing.
- Zero Fatalities NVminorPartnership for Nevada Traffic Safety Summit 2025 where Snell's Education Director presented on motorcycle helmet safety.
- World Health Organization (WHO)coreWHO updated its Helmet Safety Manual in 2023 citing Snell certified helmets as providing superior protection. Snell participates in Motorcycle Safety Month initiatives.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Snell Memorial Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- UL LLC (Underwriters Laboratories): UL is a global safety certification organization that certifies a broad range of products including personal protective equipment. It is a broad incumbent in the safety testing and certification space adjacent to Snell's helmet certification niche.
- FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile): The FIA is the global motorsport governing body that mandates helmet standards for international racing, including Snell SA-series certification. It is a broad incumbent that Snell collaborates with rather than competes against.
- NHTSA FMVSS 218 (DOT Helmet Standard): The US Department of Transportation's FMVSS 218 is the mandatory federal motorcycle helmet standard. It serves as the baseline regulatory standard against which Snell positions its voluntary premium certification.
Others
- ASTM International: ASTM International develops voluntary consensus standards including F1447 for equestrian helmets and other protective headgear standards. It is an adjacent standards-development organization whose standards occasionally overlap with Snell's verticals.
- FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme): FIM is the international motorcycle federation that governs motorcycle sport and certifies equipment for competitive events. It is an ecosystem participant that interacts with Snell standards in sanctioned motorcycle racing.
- Snell Research Center: Snell Research Center is a separate non-profit affiliated entity focused on head protection research. It is the most closely related entity to Snell Memorial Foundation, sharing mission and ecosystem but focused on research rather than certification.
Emerging players
- Virginia Tech Helmet Lab: Virginia Tech's Helmet Lab is an independent academic helmet testing program that publishes star ratings for football, cycling, and motorcycle helmets. It is an emerging independent testing peer that overlaps with Snell's mission of third-party helmet safety evaluation.
- Helmet Lab (Netherlands): Helmet Lab is an independent Dutch helmet testing initiative that rates cycling and sports helmets. It represents an emerging independent helmet testing player serving European markets where Snell's footprint is limited.
Direct peers
- UN ECE Regulation 22 (ECE 22.05/22.06): The UN ECE 22 regulation is the mandatory motorcycle helmet standard for most of Europe and many countries worldwide. It is the direct regulatory competitor to Snell's M-series standards in international motorcycle helmet certification.
- SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme): SHARP is a UK government-backed helmet safety rating program that independently tests and rates motorcycle helmets on a 5-star scale. It is the closest direct peer to Snell in operating a standalone helmet testing/certification program outside government regulation.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Snell Memorial Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceSnell Memorial Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Snell Memorial Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Snell Memorial Foundation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Snell Memorial Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Snell Memorial Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Snell Memorial Foundation
What does Snell Memorial Foundation do?
Snell Memorial Foundation provides independent third-party helmet safety certification testing services through its ISO 17025:2017 accredited laboratory in Sacramento, California. Helmet manufacturers submit products for rigorous impact, penetration, retention, and visual field testing against Snell's independently developed standards (M-series for motorcycle, SA-series for auto racing, E-series for equestrian, K-series for karting). Certified helmets receive serialized labels with barcodes, and Snell continuously purchases random samples from retailers for ongoing compliance verification.
Is Snell Memorial Foundation a public or private company?
Snell Memorial Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Snell Memorial Foundation founded?
Snell Memorial Foundation was founded in 1957. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Snell Memorial Foundation based?
Snell Memorial Foundation is headquartered in North Highlands, United States, in the North America region.
How does Snell Memorial Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Helmet Certification Testing Fees are the primary driver. The others are certification Labels and educational Materials and Donations.
Who are Snell Memorial Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are UL LLC (Underwriters Laboratories), FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) and NHTSA FMVSS 218 (DOT Helmet Standard). Others are ASTM International, FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) and Snell Research Center. Emerging players are Virginia Tech Helmet Lab and Helmet Lab (Netherlands). Direct peers are UN ECE Regulation 22 (ECE 22.05/22.06) and SHARP (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme).
Does Snell Memorial Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Snell Memorial Foundation.
What industry is Snell Memorial Foundation in?
Snell Memorial Foundation's product category is Safety Testing and Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALACAC, Certification Program Administration & Scheme Management (Standard Owners), with a secondary code of IMACAEAN, Powersports Safety, Helmets & Protective Gear Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 54138 and its SIC code is 8734.