With rising cases of road accident fatalities, the government has asked states to clamp down on manufacturers and retailers selling non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders. The initiative is in response to the growing concerns over the quality of helmets available in the market and their critical role in safeguarding lives on the road
The department of consumer affairs and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), has appealed to consumers across the country to use only BIS-certified helmets. Additionally, the department has called for strict enforcement against the manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification.
BIS carried out more than 30 search-and-seizure operations testing over 500 helmets in FY25.
With over 21 crore two-wheelers on Indian roads, rider safety is paramount. While wearing a helmet is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, its effectiveness depends on quality. Sub-standard helmets compromise protection and defeat their purpose. To address this, a Quality Control Order has been in force since 2021, mandating ISI-marked helmets certified under BIS standards (IS 4151:2015) for all two-wheeler riders.
As of June 2025, there are 176 manufacturers across India holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets. The department has observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers and numerous fatalities in road accidents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to tackle this issue head-on.
To enforce quality standards, BIS conducts regular factory and market surveillance. In the Delhi operation, over 2,500 non-compliant helmets were seized from nine manufacturers with expired or cancelled licences. Similar action at 17 retail and roadside locations led to the seizure of around 500 substandard helmets, with legal proceedings underway.
The government has asked state district collectors 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 maximise its impact. BIS branch offices were instructed to engage continuously with district administrations and police departments to support this campaign. The results were encouraging, particularly in Delhi NCR region and the campaign is spreading to other regions too.
Earlier this year, the BIS Chennai team organised a successful road show distributing ISI-marked helmets and conducted an awareness campaign in partnership with local traffic authorities to promote adherence to safety regulations. The campaign is amplified through various media channels, social media outreach, and civil society collaborations, raising awareness about safety through ISI- marked protective helmets.
Making it convenient for 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. As part of a nationwide consumer awareness initiative, BIS organises the Quality Connect campaign where ‘Manak Mitra’ volunteers are engaging directly with consumers to provide information on mandatory certification for helmets and other products.
The department of consumer affairs is committed to consumer protection and road safety. By removing sub-standard helmets from the market, the department aims to prevent avoidable road accident fatalities and promote high-quality safety gear.
