Government Issues Notification To Bring Helmets Under Bureau Of Indian Standards

The new mandate is most likely to be enforced during March or April next year. Once in effect, all sales of non-BIS certified helmets will be banned and will be a punishable offence.

The Ministry issued a draft notification on Thursday, weeks after it issued a notification allowing sales of foreign helmets starting 4 September this year.

The Government said that the procedure laid down for protective helmets under its Quality Control Order requires for it to seek suggestions and objections from stakeholders.

The Ministry also said that health care experts and trauma care professionals have said that wearing a non-standard non-protective helmet is just as risky as not wearing a helmet at all.

Reports say that close to 70 percent of all helmets sold in India do not meet safety standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Reports from the Ministry say that 43,600 two-wheeler riders have been involved in road accidents during 2018. The numbers include 15,364 pillion riders.

The Government says that banning non-standard helmets has been made top priority because more people are expected to buy two-wheelers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Ministry had announced back in 2018 that it was preparing to ban the sale of non ISI helmets in the country. The ISI Helmets Association welcomed the move, and had informed the Supreme Court that the ban could be in effect within six months.

The Government had banned sales of foreign helmets as well but has now allowed for imported helmets to be sold in the country starting 4 September.

The rule that was implemented during 2018 had restricted the sale of helmets that did not carry an ISI mark, and weighed more than 1.2kgs. To know more, click here.

Thoughts About The Government Initiating The Process Of Bringing All Helmets Sold In India Under The Bureau Of Indian Standards

This is a fantastic move made by the Government. Helmet safety has not been standardised in the country before and we're thrilled that buyers will not have to purchase helmets that are actually safe. Kudos to the Government for having taken this decision.