OfficerImpersonator
Seattle-area Rounder
Actually - not. The have certified ONE flip-face (about 3-4 years ago.. forget the brand but it wasn't a big name brand. Search WebBikeWorld for details - I believe that's where I read about it. They tested/approved it as an open-face helmet.)
Why don't they do more? The manufacturers of the flip-face helmets haven't submitted and PAID them to do the testing.
That's the hook. In order for them to test a helmet, someone has to pay for the testing. Typically - that's the manufacturer. If the manufacturer sees no marketing gain by paying for the testing, there isn't a lot of incentive to do it. Considering how popular Schuberths are in the US even at a very high price point, I can't imagine why they'd consider paying for Snell testing, especially if Snell is going to test it as an open-face helmet.
I recall an article in MCN where Dave Searle dissects Snell for being a joke of a product evaluation and certification organization. I'm going to have to go through my back issues and find it again.
What I do specifically remember from the article was Searle's observation that Snell's testing policies includes a blanket refusal to test flip-face helmets with the face section down and locked. They'll test 'em with the face portion up, but they won't test 'em with the face portion down - you know - how we wear them when we're riding.
I'm willing to bet that the EU/Germany has far stricter/tougher standards than do our government agencies, and that their standards make our standards look silly by comparison.