**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 527 regarding BIS licenses for helmets, to be answered on 03.12.2025. It addresses the issue of helmet manufacturers operating without BIS licenses or using counterfeit ISI marks. It outlines actions taken by the government to curb the production and sale of substandard helmets.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Regulatory Framework**
* The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) mandated compulsory BIS certification for protective helmets for two-wheeler riders via a Quality Control Order dated June 1, 2021, under IS 4151:2015.
* Manufacturing, importing, selling, or distributing helmets without valid BIS licenses or with counterfeit ISI marks is prohibited.
* Any helmet manufactured or sold without IS 4151:2015 certification is a violation of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
* **Enforcement Measures**
* A special campaign was launched to ensure proper implementation of the Quality Control Order.
* District officials in Delhi and the NCR region were requested to physically check firms with expired/cancelled licenses.
* Search and seizure operations were conducted at 9 manufacturers, leading to the seizure of over 2,500 helmets without valid BIS certification during FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 (till date).
* Search and seizure operations were conducted at 18 retail outlets/roadside vendors, leading to the seizure of around 500 helmets without valid BIS certification.
* Legal action is taken against violators of the BIS Act, 2016.
* A penalty of a minimum fine of Rs. 2.00 lakh for the first violation, extendable up to ten times the value of the goods, and imprisonment of up to two years are stipulated.
**Impact Analysis**
**Helmet Manufacturers & Retailers**
* **Impact:**
Must adhere to BIS certification standards for helmet manufacturing and sales. Facing increased scrutiny and potential legal action for non-compliance.
* **Action Required:**
Obtain and maintain valid BIS licenses. Cease production/sale of non-compliant helmets. Comply with inspection and enforcement activities.
**Consumers**
* **Impact:**
Enhanced safety due to government efforts to curb substandard helmet production and sale.
* **Action Required:**
Purchase helmets with valid BIS certification to ensure safety and compliance.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The primary ministry responsible for addressing the issue of BIS licenses for helmets.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): The organization whose licenses are being counterfeited or bypassed, making the helmets substandard.
BIS Act, 2016: The Act that provides legal recourse for violations related to BIS standards, including penalties and imprisonment.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH): The ministry that issued the Quality Control Order mandating BIS certification for helmets.
Quality Control Order dated 1st June, 2021: Order mandating BIS certification for helmets issued by MoRTH.
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 527
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
BIS LICENSES
527. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that a large number of Helmet manufacturers are operating
without Bureau of Indian Studies (BIS) licenses or using counterfeit ISI mark helmets posing major
risk to the unsuspecting consumers;
(b) if so, the reasons due to which such malpractices are continuing unabated; and
(c) the details of corrective steps taken by the Government to curb the production and availability of the
sub-standard helmets?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (c) : Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) vide Quality Control Order dated 1st June,
2021 has mandated compulsory BIS certification for protective Helmets for Two-wheeler riders as per IS
4151:2015, thereby prohibiting the manufacture, import, sale of distribution of helmets without a valid BIS
licence or with counterfeit ISI mark. Any helmet manufactured or sold without having certification under IS
4151: 2015 is a clear violation and an offence under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
Complaints related to sale of helmets without a valid BIS license or unauthorized use of BIS
Standard Mark for Helmets were received. As a safeguard measure to enhance consumer protection and
safety, a special campaign was launched against such manufacturers and retailers to ensure proper
implementation of the Quality Control Order dated 1st June, 2021 issued by the Ministry of Road Transport
and Highways (MoRTH). D.O letters were issued to District Collectors/ Magistrates and also to DC/DMs
and SPs in Delhi and NCR region wherein it was requested to physically check the premises of firms whose
license is expired/cancelled.
As part of the special campaign, during FY 2024-25 & FY 2025-26 (till date) search and seizure
operations were conducted at 9 manufacturers, resulting in the seizure of over 2,500 helmets without valid
BIS certification. Further, search and seizure operations were also carried out at 18 retail outlets/roadside
vendors selling helmets without valid BIS certification to consumers, leading to the seizure of around 500
helmets. Legal prosecution is carried out against the defaulters for violation of the BIS Act, 2016, wherein a
penalty of a minimum fine of Rs.2.00 lakh for the first contravention, extendable up to ten times the value of
the goods manufactured or sold is stipulated which may also include imprisonment of up to two years.
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