The Canadian Standards Association is introducing certification testing for ski and snowboard helmets. 

The CSA announcement comes less than a week after british actress Natasha Richardson died from a brain injury sustained in a fall at Mont-Tremblant ski resort.  She was not wearing a helmet.

The CSA developed a new standard for the winter sports helmets last June and will begin providing testing next month.

CSA vice-president John Walter says helmets made to the non-profit organization's standard would sustain multiple impacts over time because of their design and resilience.

But the standard is voluntary and helmet manufacturers don't have to submit their products for testing.

Walter says he hopes the federal or provincial and territorial governments will make compliance mandatory.

Liberal MP Hedy Fry recently tabled a private member's bill that would require non-CSA approved snow sport helmets to be banned under the Hazardous Products Act.