Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, Head and Neck Restraints must be recertified every five years. This means that during 2012, competitors using a HANS Device with a date of original certification in 2006 or earlier must have their device recertified. Those who have a HANS Device with a date of original certification in 2007, must be recertified according to the month on the SFI sticker. For example, a device with an original certification of June 2007 would expire in June 2012.

The procedure outlined by SFI states, in part, "Inspection must be done by the original manufacturer only, and not their authorized resellers or dealers." Devices passing the inspection will receive a new SFI 38.1 conformance label marked with the inspection date.

   HANS Performance Products will recertify the HANS Device for a $15 fee (shipping not included).

   Some devices may need replacement rubber on the legs or may have tethers that are more than five years old and therefore need to be replaced. If these need to be replaced you will be charged for these items at the standard price.

• Competitors may use an FIA certified Head and Neck Restraint at an FIA event in the U.S. without meeting the SFI's recertification requirement. But events not on the FIA sporting calendar and held in the U.S. will require an SFI 38.1 sticker for any device 5 years or older.
• Tethers for the HANS Device are manufactured from polyester, which gives them a longer span of use when compared to other material such as nylon. 

Competitors should inspect their HANS Device and tethers after any impact where the device comes into use. It's likely that the tethers should be replaced.