On 5-7-2025, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India and Bureau of Indian Standards (‘BIS’) encourages consumers across the country to use only BIS- certified helmets.
Need for BIS- certified helmets:
- Rider safety is paramount as approximately 21 crore two-wheelers are on Indian roads.
- Wearing a helmet is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- The effectiveness of a helmet depends on its quality.
- Sub-standard helmets compromise protection defeating its purpose.
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To address the issue, the Quality Control Order was issued in 2021 which mandated ISI- marked BIS-certified helmets standards for all two-wheeler riders.
Quality Control Order- Protective Helmet for Two-Wheeler Riders- Specification:
- Covers the requirements regarding the material, construction, workmanship, finish, mass and performance for protective helmet (with or without lower face cover) for everyday use by 2-wheeler riders.
- The helmets covered by this standard are not intended for high-speed competitive events.
- The helmet should consist of:
- Shell– metallic or non- metallic materials conforming to the test requirements;
- Protective Padding– can be of expanded polystyrene or any other material having similar properties;
- Comfort Padding– can be of expanded polyurethane foam, polyethylene or any other suitable material having similar properties;
- Retention System– material for chin strap and comfort padding should be sweat resistant, non- irritant and should not be known to cause any skin disease;
- Metal Parts- it be either inherently corrosion resistant or should have been treated for corrosion resistance.
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Helmets should pass:
- Impact Absorption Test;
- Rigidity Test;
- Test for Projections and Surface Friction;
- Dynamic Test for Retention System;
- Audibility Test;
- Retention (Detaching) Test;
- Micro-slip Test of the Chin Strap;
- Test for Resistance to Abrasion of the Chin Strap;
- Tests for Retention Systems Relying in Quick- Release Mechanisms.
- Each helmet should be clearly and indelibly marked with the following information in a readily accessible place:
- Manufacturer’s name or trademark;
- Batch No.;
- Month and Year of Manufacturing;
- Size;
- Mass of the helmet to the nearest 50 gm;
- Name of the country of manufacturing;
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Marked as- “Does not provide any additional protection to chin from impacts”.
Today’s scenario:
The Department observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers and numerous fatalities in road accidents. Therefore, in an urgent need to tackle this issue head-on the following steps are taken:
- As of June 2025, there are 176 manufacturers across India holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets.
- To enforce quality standards, BIS conducts regular factory and market surveillance.
- To enhance road safety and protect consumers from substandard helmets, the Department of Consumer Affairs had written to District Collectors and District Magistrates to launch a nationwide campaign targeting manufacturers and retailers who sell non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders.
- District officials have to take a personal interest in this matter and launch a special campaign to ensure the enforcement of the Quality Control Order, integrating the drive with existing road safety campaigns to maximize its impact.
- To make it convenient for the consumers, BIS has added a provision on the BIS Care App and BIS portal to check whether a helmet manufacturer is licensed or not, and also allows users to lodge a complaint on the BIS Care App.
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As part of a nationwide consumer awareness initiative, BIS will organizes the Quality Connect campaign where ‘Manak Mitra’ volunteers are engaging directly with consumers to provide information on mandatory certification for helmets and other products.