The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have issued a nationwide appeal urging all two-wheeler riders to use only BIS-certified helmets to ensure their safety. Concurrently, the Department has called for rigorous enforcement actions against the manufacture and sale of helmets that do not meet the mandatory BIS certification standards.
With over 210 million two-wheelers on Indian roads, rider safety is a paramount concern. While helmet-wearing is mandated by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, its effectiveness hinges on the quality of the helmet. Substandard helmets offer inadequate protection and often fail to serve their purpose. To combat this, a Quality Control Order has been in effect since 2021, making ISI-marked helmets, certified under BIS standards (IS 4151:2015), mandatory for all two-wheeler riders.
As of June 2025, India has 176 manufacturers holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets. However, authorities have observed that a significant number of helmets sold, particularly by roadside vendors, lack the necessary BIS certification, posing grave risks to consumers and contributing to numerous fatalities in road accidents.
To address this critical issue, BIS has been actively engaged in enforcement efforts. In the last financial year (2024-25), over 500 helmet samples were tested, and more than 30 search-and-seizure operations were conducted to curb the misuse of the BIS Standard Mark. A notable operation in Delhi resulted in the seizure of over 2,500 non-compliant helmets from nine manufacturers operating with expired or cancelled licenses. Similarly, actions at 17 retail and roadside locations led to the seizure of approximately 500 substandard helmets, with legal proceedings currently underway.
The Department of Consumer Affairs previously urged District Collectors (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) to launch a nationwide campaign. This initiative aimed to target manufacturers and retailers of non-compliant helmets, integrating the drive with existing road safety campaigns for maximum impact. The campaign has shown encouraging results, particularly in the Delhi NCR region, and is now being expanded to other parts of the country. Earlier this year, the BIS Chennai team successfully organized a roadshow, distributing ISI-marked helmets and conducting awareness campaigns in collaboration with local traffic authorities. These efforts are further amplified through various media channels, social media outreach, and civil society collaborations to raise public awareness about safety through ISI-marked protective helmets.
To make it convenient for consumers, BIS has introduced features on the BIS Care App and its official portal, allowing users to verify if a helmet manufacturer is licensed and to lodge complaints. Furthermore, through its “Quality Connect” campaign, ‘Manak Mitra’ volunteers are directly engaging with consumers nationwide to provide vital information on mandatory certification for helmets and other products.