Chennai, October 2026: The Two Wheeler Helmet Manufacturer Association of India has welcomed and applauded the Greater Chennai Traffic Police’s decision to intensify helmet enforcement for both two-wheeler riders and pillion passengers, with particular emphasis on ensuring compliance among women pillion riders. The association has also called for a nationwide crackdown on manufacturers, distributors and sellers involved in producing or selling counterfeit ISI-marked and non-compliant helmets.

The initiative, directs traffic personnel to take strict action against helmet violations, document offences through photographs and issue e-challans. The association believes that consistent enforcement, supported by technology and accountability, can help improve compliance and reinforce the importance of wearing helmets on every two-wheeler journey.

The need for such action is underscored by official road-safety data. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Road Accidents in India 2023 report, 54,568 people who were not wearing helmets lost their lives in road accidents during 2023. Of these, 39,160 were drivers and 15,408 were passengers. The report also recorded 1,05,727 people injured in road accidents while not wearing helmets.

These figures highlight the importance of ensuring that helmet use is treated as a critical road-safety requirement for every two-wheeler occupant, regardless of gender or seating position.

Mr Rajeev Kapur, President, Two Wheeler Helmet Manufacturer Association of India, said: We wholeheartedly welcome and applaud the Greater Chennai Traffic Police for taking a firm and decisive stand on helmet enforcement. The data clearly demonstrate the seriousness of the road-safety challenge facing our country. Every life lost because of inadequate protection is a reminder that helmet compliance cannot be optional or selective. We appreciate the authorities for reinforcing the message that both riders and pillion passengers must wear helmets and that traffic rules must be enforced consistently, without gender-based exemptions.

However, the road-safety conversation must go beyond whether a person is wearing a helmet. We must also ask whether that helmet is genuine, certified and compliant with the applicable safety standards. Wearing a counterfeit or non-compliant helmet can create a false sense of security. We therefore urge authorities across the country to strengthen helmet-use enforcement while simultaneously intensifying action against those who manufacture and sell fake ISI-marked helmets.

Official Enforcement Data Underscores the Need for Action Against Fake Helmets

The association’s call for stronger enforcement is supported by action already undertaken by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

According to a Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution press release dated July 5, 2025, BIS conducted more than 30 search-and-seizure operations and tested over 500 helmets during FY 2024–25. In one enforcement operation in Delhi, more than 2,500 non-compliant helmets were seized from nine manufacturers whose licences had expired or been cancelled. In separate action at 17 retail and roadside locations, approximately 500 substandard helmets were seized.

These enforcement figures demonstrate the importance of sustained market surveillance and verification of manufacturers’ licences to prevent non-compliant products from reaching consumers.

The association has urged BIS, state police departments, consumer protection authorities and other relevant agencies to strengthen coordinated enforcement against manufacturers operating without valid certification, those misusing the ISI Standard Mark, and sellers distributing helmets that do not meet mandatory requirements.

The government’s own enforcement data underline why this issue demands urgent and sustained attention. The seizure of more than 2,500 non-compliant helmets in a single Delhi operation involving nine manufacturers, along with the seizure of approximately 500 substandard helmets from retail and roadside locations, highlights the need for continuous vigilance across the supply chain.

Association Calls for a Nationwide Crackdown and Stronger Market Surveillance

The association has urged authorities to prioritise the following measures:

• Regular manufacturing-unit inspections: Identify and take action against facilities manufacturing helmets without the required valid BIS licence or misusing the ISI Standard Mark.

• Market-wide inspections and seizures: Intensify checks at wholesale markets, roadside stalls, retail outlets and online marketplaces to identify counterfeit and non-compliant products.

• Verification of certification: Verify manufacturers’ BIS licence status and take action against products carrying counterfeit marks or marks linked to expired, cancelled or otherwise invalid licences, as applicable.

• Supply-chain accountability: Investigate the source of non-compliant helmets and hold responsible manufacturers, distributors and sellers accountable under applicable laws.

• Consumer awareness: Educate buyers about checking the authenticity of the ISI Standard Mark and the associated BIS licence details before purchasing a helmet.

• Coordinated enforcement: Strengthen cooperation among BIS, traffic police, state enforcement authorities and consumer protection agencies to improve detection, reporting and follow-through.

The association has also emphasised that enforcement should be evidence-based and distinguish between genuine manufacturers operating under valid licences and entities found to be violating certification requirements.