Special
Drive against Substandard Helmets Launched
·
Department
of Consumer Affairs Writes to DCs, DMs Calling for Enforcement of Quality Control
Order
·
Consumers
can verify whether a helmet manufacturer is licensed by BIS through the BIS Care
App or by visiting the BIS website.
·
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. It has been observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the
mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers.
In a bid to enhance
road safety and protect consumers from substandard helmets, 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.
It has come to light
those substandard helmets, which lack the requisite BIS certification, are being
sold on the roadside. This poses a severe risk to public safety and has been linked
to numerous fatalities in road accidents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to
tackle this issue head-on. The Government calls for strict enforcement against manufacturers
operating without BIS licenses or using counterfeit ISI Mark, as well as retailers
peddling these non-compliant products to unsuspecting consumers. Consumers can verify
whether a helmet manufacturer is licensed by BIS through the BIS Care App or by
visiting the BIS website.
While emphasising
the need to spread awareness among citizens on the matter, Ms Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs said, "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."
It is noted that
the government has already made wearing a helmet mandatory under the Motor Vehicles
Act 1988. Also, 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.
The Department 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 maximise its impact. District
officials are encouraged to collaborate with the District SP and BIS field officers
to Identify and address violations.
This initiative
underscores the government's commitment 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. The Department's
branch offices have been instructed to engage continuously with district administrations
and police departments to support this campaign.
As helmet is extremely
critical product and manufacturing of substandard/non-lSI
helmets adversely impact the safety of life, it is pertinent to inform that till
date, there are 162 licenses that have been cancelled/expired. Besides, till date
total 27 search and seizure have been conducted on misuse of BIS Standard Mark/Violation
of QCOs in regards to 4151:2015 and cases are filed in various courts.
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. It has been observed that many
helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant
risks to consumers.