The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, on July 5, issued a strong appeal to Indian consumers to exclusively use Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certified helmets for two-wheeler rider safety. Emphasising that substandard helmets compromise protection despite being mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the government is intensifying efforts to remove non-compliant products from the market.
A Quality Control Order mandating ISI-marked helmets has been in effect since 2021. To ensure compliance, BIS has conducted extensive surveillance, testing over 500 helmet samples and executing more than 30 search-and-seizure operations in the last financial year, including seizing over 2,500 non-compliant helmets in Delhi alone.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has also urged District Collectors and Magistrates nationwide to launch campaigns against manufacturers and retailers selling non-certified helmets. Concurrently, BIS is actively raising consumer awareness through various initiatives like roadshows, media campaigns, and the ‘Manak Mitra’ volunteer program. Consumers can also verify manufacturer licenses and lodge complaints via the BIS Care App and portal, reinforcing the push for high-quality safety gear and preventing road accident fatalities.
