Centre urges consumers to use only BIS-certified Helmets to ensure safety

• 05 Jul 2025
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The Department of Consumer Affairs, GOI, and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has urged Indian consumers to only use helmets certified by BIS. In addition to this, the Department has outlined that manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification will be subject to strict enforcement. 

Rider safety is extremely important since Indian roads witness over 21 crore two-wheelers. Under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, it is mandatory to wear a helmet while driving two-wheeler vehicles like bikes and scooters. However, it is common sense to know that the effectiveness of a helmet directly depends on its quality. 

When the helmets are of sub-standard or subpar quality, they compromise protection and their purpose gets defeated. For addressing this issue, since 2021, a Quality Control Order has been in force. This order mandates ISI-marked helmets certified under BIS standards (IS 4151:2015) for all the riders of two-wheeler vehicles. 

As per the latest report (in June 2025), there are currently 176 manufacturers holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets. According to the Department’s observation, many helmets sold on roadsides do not possess the mandatory BIS certification and pose a significant risk to consumers who purchase them. They contribute to numerous facilities in road accidents. This pressing matter needs to be tackled on an immediate basis. 

BIS regularly monitors factories and markets to enforce quality requirements. During the previous fiscal year, over 500 helmet samples were analyzed and over 30 search and seizure actions were taken for BIS Standard Mark misuse. Nine manufacturers with canceled or expired licenses were found to have more than 2,500 non-compliant helmets at one Delhi location. Around 500 inferior helmets were seized as a result of similar actions at 17 retail and roadside sites. The legal action is currently being taken against them. 

In an effort to increase road safety and protect consumers from using substandard helmets, the Department reached out to District Collectors and District Magistrates to launch a nationwide initiative that would target manufacturers and retailers who are engaged in sales of non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders. 

The Government’s initiative addresses the rising concerns over helmet quality in the market and the important role of helmets in protecting the lives of people on the road. District officials are urged by the Department to take personal responsibility in this matter and come up with a special campaign that would ensure Quality Control Order’s enforcement. They must integrate the drive with existing road safety campaigns for maximum impact.

To allow consumers to check whether a helmet manufacturer is BIS-certified or not, BIS has updated its BIS Care App and BIS portal by adding a provision to check whether a helmet manufacturer possesses a BIS license. If the manufacturer is found to be unlicensed, the users can lodge a complaint against them via BIS Care App. 

BIS conducts the Quality Connect Campaign, which is a nationwide consumer awareness initiative. In this campaign, Manak Mitra volunteers engage directly with consumers to guide them through details regarding mandatory certification for helmets and other goods. 

The Department of Consumer Affairs highlights the government’s commitment when it comes to ensuring consumer protection as well as road safety standards. The Department’s mission is to prevent avoidable road accident fatalities and promote high-quality safety gear by wiping sub-stand helmets from the market.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)