What is NOCSAE?
NOCSAE (pronounced “noxey”) is the acronym for the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, a nonprofit corporation formed in 1969 in response to a need for a performance test standard for football helmets. In 1973, the NOCSAE Football Helmet Standard was developed. The 1974 new helmet models were the first tested to this standard. The baseball batting helmet standard was published in 1981, and the 1983 helmet models were the first tested to this standard. The baseball standard has since been designated as the baseball/softball batting helmet standard. In 1986 a performance test standard was published for lacrosse helmets and face masks, and in 1987, a standard for football face masks was released. In addition to publishing standards for testing baseball, lacrosse and football helmets, NOCSAE continues to investigate other athletic equipment to determine the feasibility or necessity of establishing standards.
