In a renewed push for road safety across the country, the Union Government on Saturday, July 5, appealed to all two-wheeler users to strictly use only BIS-certified helmets. The appeal was issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs, which stressed the importance of quality assurance when it comes to life-saving protective gear. Officials warned against the dangers of wearing sub-standard helmets, stating that although helmet use is mandated under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, its effectiveness is nullified if the product lacks proper safety certification.

To reinforce this initiative, the ministry emphasized the implementation of a Quality Control Order that has been in effect since 2021. This order makes it mandatory for all helmets sold in India to carry the ISI mark and conform to BIS standard IS 4151:2015. The move targets curbing the circulation of fake or low-quality helmets, which have become a silent hazard on Indian roads. The government highlighted that, as of June 2025, there are 176 licensed helmet manufacturers in the country producing protective headgear that meets these safety standards.

India currently has more than 21 crore two-wheelers on its roads, making helmet safety a public issue of massive scale. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution also called for stronger enforcement actions against the illegal manufacturing and sale of non-compliant helmets. Officials urged consumers to verify certification labels before purchasing and report violations to concerned authorities. The campaign is part of a broader national effort to reduce head injuries and fatalities caused by road accidents, especially in urban centers where two-wheeler usage is highest.