New Delhi || 26-10-2024 Have you ever thought of how essential it is to wear a helmet of good quality when driving a two wheeler or sitting at the back of a two wheeler? We go to the roadside shop, and buy helmets without seeing the ISI mark. It is our brain to use to safeguard the head. After all, Life matters if we use our brain smartly.
The Department of Consumer Affairs launched a special drive against the substandard helmets. While emphasizing the need to spread awareness among citizens Ms Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs says, “Helmets save lives, but only if they are of good quality. This initiative is crucial in removing unsafe helmets from the market and educating consumers about the importance of BIS-certified products. We urge all stakeholders to actively participate in this campaign for the safety of our citizens.”
In this regard the Department of Consumer Affairs has written to District Collectors (DCs) and District Magistrates (DMs) to launch a nationwide campaign targeting manufacturers and retailers who sell non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders. This initiative comes as a 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 urges district officials to take a personal interest in this matter and launch a special campaign to ensure the enforcement of the Quality Control Order. This drive will be integrated with existing road safety campaigns to maximize its impact. District officials are to collaborate with the District SP and BIS field officers to identify and address violations.
Under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, Â a helmet is a crucial safety measure for two-wheeler riders to prevent fatalities in road accidents. However, the effectiveness of a helmet is highly dependent on its quality. Sub-standard helmets do not adhere to the prescribed standards and fail to provide the necessary protection, undermining the very purpose of wearing them.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to consumer protection and road safety. By removing sub-standard helmets from the market, it aims to prevent avoidable road accident fatalities and promote high-quality safety gear.
The Consumer Affairs Department’s branch offices have been instructed to engage continuously with district administrations and police departments to support this campaign.
As helmet is an extremely critical product and manufacturing of substandard/non-ISI helmets adversely impacts the safety of life, it is pertinent to inform that till date, there are 162 licenses that have been cancelled/expired. Besides, till date a total 27 search and seizure have been conducted on misuse of BIS Standard Mark.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has enforced the Quality Control Order (QCO) as of June 1, 2021, mandating that all helmets comply with the BIS standard IS 4151: 2015.
Any helmet manufactured or sold without this certification violates the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and will be penalized. It has been observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers.
Consumers can verify whether a helmet manufacturer is licensed by BIS through the BIS Care App or by visiting the BIS website.
