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India's Roads Get Tougher on Helmet Safety: A Nationwide Push for Quality
The Indian government is intensifying its campaign to ensure two-wheeler riders use only BIS-certified (ISI-marked) helmets. With millions on the roads, quality helmets are crucial for safety. A nationwide crackdown, public awareness drives, and easy consumer tools are tackling the pervasive issue of substandard helmets to save lives.
NEW DELHI, India – July 5, 2025 – In a critical drive to enhance rider safety across the nation, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, alongside the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is making a strong appeal to consumers: use only BIS-certified helmets. This urgent call is being backed by a firm directive for strict enforcement against the manufacture and sale of any helmets without the mandatory BIS certification.
With an astonishing 21 crore (210 million) two-wheelers navigating India's diverse road network, rider safety remains an absolute priority. While wearing a helmet is legally mandated under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, its protective efficacy hinges entirely on its quality. Substandard helmets, often found at roadside stalls, offer little to no real protection, tragically defeating their very purpose and contributing to preventable fatalities in road accidents.
Recognising this pressing issue, a Quality Control Order has been in effect since 2021. This crucial order mandates that all helmets for two-wheeler riders must bear the ISI mark, signifying certification under BIS standards (IS 4151:2015).
As of June 2025, India boasts 176 manufacturers holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets. However, a concerning trend has emerged: the Department of Consumer Affairs has observed that many helmets sold, particularly by roadside vendors, conspicuously lack this crucial BIS certification. Such products pose significant risks to consumers, a grim reality underscored by the ongoing tragic toll of road accidents.
To combat this, BIS is actively conducting regular factory and market surveillance. In the last financial year (April 2024 - March 2025), over 500 helmet samples were rigorously tested, and more than 30 search-and-seizure operations were executed to tackle the misuse of the BIS Standard Mark. A recent operation in Delhi alone saw over 2,500 non-compliant helmets confiscated from nine manufacturers whose licences had either expired or been cancelled. Similar coordinated efforts at 17 retail and roadside locations led to the seizure of around 500 substandard helmets, with legal proceedings now underway.
In a proactive measure to amplify road safety and shield consumers from inferior products, the Department of Consumer Affairs recently penned letters to District Collectors (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) nationwide. The aim? To ignite a comprehensive campaign targeting manufacturers and retailers involved in the sale of non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders. This initiative directly addresses the escalating concerns regarding helmet quality and its pivotal role in saving lives on the road.
District officials were personally urged to champion this cause, launching special campaigns and integrating them with existing road safety drives for maximum impact. BIS branch offices have been instructed to maintain continuous engagement with district administrations and police departments, providing vital support to this critical mission. Early results, especially from the Delhi NCR region, are encouraging, with the campaign steadily expanding its reach to other parts of the country.
Further bolstering awareness, the BIS Chennai team earlier this year organised a successful roadshow, distributing ISI-marked helmets and conducting a public awareness campaign in collaboration with local traffic authorities. This vital message of safety through ISI-marked protective helmets is being amplified across various media channels, social media platforms, and through collaborations with civil society organisations.
To empower consumers directly, BIS has ingeniously added a provision to its BIS Care App and official portal. Users can now easily verify the licensing status of any helmet manufacturer and even lodge complaints directly through the app. Additionally, as part of a nationwide consumer awareness initiative, BIS is running its 'Quality Connect' campaign, where 'Manak Mitra' (Friends of Quality) volunteers are actively engaging directly with consumers, providing essential information on mandatory certification for helmets and a host of other products.
The Department of Consumer Affairs emphatically reiterates the government's unwavering commitment to consumer protection and road safety. By systematically removing substandard helmets from the market, the department aims to significantly reduce avoidable road accident fatalities and foster the widespread adoption of high-quality, life-saving safety gear.
#DepartmentofConsumerAffairsGovernmentofIndia#BIS#Helmet#ISI#ManakMitra
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