The North News
New Delhi, July 5
The Centre government has urged two-wheeler riders across the country to use only helmets certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), as part of a nationwide effort to improve road safety and crack down on substandard protective gear. The Department of Consumer Affairs and the BIS issued a joint appeal encouraging consumers to avoid helmets lacking BIS certification, citing significant safety risks and the potential for fatal injuries. The move comes in response to concerns over poor-quality helmets being widely sold at roadside stalls and unregulated markets.
With over 210 million two-wheelers on Indian roads, the government has emphasised that helmet quality is as important as usage. While helmet-wearing is mandated under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, officials warned that uncertified helmets often fail to provide adequate protection. A Quality Control Order introduced in 2021 mandates that all helmets for two-wheelers must carry the ISI mark and meet BIS standards (IS 4151:2015). As of June 2025, 176 manufacturers across India hold valid BIS licences to produce certified helmets.
To enforce these regulations, BIS carried out more than 30 search-and-seizure operations in the financial year 2024–25, testing over 500 helmet samples. In Delhi alone, authorities confiscated over 2,500 non-compliant helmets from nine manufacturers whose licences were either expired or cancelled. A further 500 substandard helmets were seized from 17 retail and roadside sellers, with legal action now underway.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has written to District Collectors and Magistrates across the country, calling for targeted enforcement campaigns against the manufacture and sale of non-compliant helmets. These drives are being integrated with ongoing road safety initiatives to broaden their reach and impact. “Sub-standard helmets are a serious threat to public safety. This is not just a consumer issue—it’s a matter of saving lives,” a senior BIS official said.
As part of its public outreach, BIS has also developed the BIS Care App, enabling consumers to verify whether a manufacturer is licensed and to lodge complaints about non-compliant products. In addition, ‘Manak Mitra’ volunteers under the Quality Connect campaign are engaging with consumers to raise awareness about mandatory helmet certification.
In a notable campaign earlier this year, BIS Chennai distributed ISI-marked helmets during a public roadshow and partnered with local traffic police to promote helmet safety.
Officials say early results from the Delhi-NCR region are promising, and the campaign is being expanded to other states.
The Department of Consumer Affairs said the government remains committed to improving consumer protection and reducing road accident fatalities by removing substandard helmets from circulation and ensuring only quality-assured protective gear reaches the market.
