Government Launches Crackdown on Substandard Helmets to Bolster Road Safety

New Delhi:In a decisive move to protect consumers and enhance road safety, the Department of Consumer Affairs has called upon District Collectors (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) across the country to initiate a nationwide campaign against the manufacture and sale of substandard helmets. This campaign is particularly focused on ensuring that helmets for two-wheeler riders meet the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality certification, as poor-quality helmets have been linked to a disturbing rise in road accident fatalities.

Substandard helmets, often sold on roadsides without the required BIS certification, fail to provide adequate protection in accidents, leading to preventable deaths. The Department has called for strict action against manufacturers and retailers found to be selling non-compliant helmets or misusing counterfeit ISI marks. To help consumers verify the quality of helmets, the BIS has provided tools such as the BIS Care App and its official website, where users can check if a manufacturer is BIS-licensed.

"Helmets save lives, but only if they are of good quality," said Ms. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs. "This initiative is crucial in removing unsafe helmets from the market and educating consumers on the importance of choosing BIS-certified products. We urge all stakeholders to actively participate in this campaign for the safety of our citizens."

The initiative highlights the government’s commitment to enforcing the Quality Control Order (QCO) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in 2021, which mandates BIS-compliant helmets under IS 4151:2015 standards. Selling or manufacturing helmets that lack this certification is a violation of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, yet many helmets on the market do not adhere to these critical safety regulations.

The Department has also revealed that it has taken significant enforcement measures, with 162 helmet manufacturing licenses cancelled and 27 search and seizure operations conducted to address violations of BIS standards. To further strengthen this campaign, district officials have been encouraged to coordinate with local police and BIS field officers to identify violations and raise awareness about the risks posed by substandard helmets.

This campaign aims not only to ensure that all helmets meet essential safety standards but also to instill a sense of responsibility among manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike. The government’s proactive measures in addressing this issue underscore its dedication to reducing road fatalities and promoting high-quality safety gear.