[rideon74]

The ISIHMA (ISI Helmet Manufactures Association) have backed a move by Indian policy makers to ban non-ISI marked helmets throughout the country - as per a report in ZigWheels on 9th March, 2018.

While the move aims to curtail the sale of unsafe and cheap helmets in the country, it clearly points to the lobbyists getting their way - since there is no mention about approval for the usage of ECE, SNELL & DOT certified helmets.

Though these international testing standards are far more demanding than the ISI standards, the law will make riders with undoubtedly safe helmets to be at the mercy of unscrupulous cops who can take advantage of the lack of clarity in the policy.

After the regrettable incidents faced by riders in Karnataka recently, one wonders what the days ahead will hold for those who have invested good money on high quality helmets.

It is at times like these the Indian motorcycling community must come together to do what it can to ensure that laws are enforced with a real intent of safety, rather than regressive agendas.

[MadRasTan4986]

Originally Posted by rideon74

While the move aims to curtail the sale of unsafe and cheap helmets in the country, it clearly points to the lobbyists getting their way - since there is no mention about approval for the usage of ECE, SNELL & DOT certified helmets.

Overall a good move by the Indian goverment. Let's see how it gets implemented though.

Yes it is a concern that there is no mention of ECE, SNELL and DOT certified helmets. It'll be stupid and regressive if they were to put some ban or stay order on this.

However I'm hoping that doesn't happen. Someone from ISI please speak up and educate the government.

[Gansan]

That is a lobby at work in all it's splendor for you! But I don't see what is the problem for the importers to apply and get ISI certification for their helmets, without sneering at the organization. Must not bee too difficult. If you can't beat them, join them!

[libranof1987]

Fair enough. If their motive is so noble, I hope they have the guts to go after the manufacturers and sellers of those cheap 100 rupee helmets all over the roads with the same enthusiasm they plan to go after riders wearing high-end helmets that conform to global standards but don't have the ISI mark.

Originally Posted by Gansan

But I don't see what is the problem for the importers to apply and get ISI certification for their helmets, without sneering at the organization. Must not bee too difficult. If you can't beat them, join them!

+1

In the long run, this is the most viable solution. Non-Indian manufacturers simply have to get the ISI certification. Rest assured this lobby will make them aware of Indian bureaucracy and red-tapism in its finest glory!

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by Gansan

That is a lobby at work in all it's splendor for you! But I don't see what is the problem for the importers to apply and get ISI certification for their helmets, without sneering at the organization.

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Non-Indian manufacturers simply have to get the ISI certification. Rest assured this lobby will make them aware of Indian bureaucracy and red-tapism in its finest glory!

Well, this may turn out to be similar to ISI compliance for tyres few years back. However, not all foreign helmet manufacturers have their office(s) in India unlike Tyre manufacturers. Most DOT/ECE/Snell certified helmets are imported by some entity & sold via their distribution channels. Only time will tell if these importers unite & influence policy makers. It also depends on volume & growth in this area.

[rideon74]

It is the ridiculousness of the policy execution that gets to me. Fine, so they want to axe the cheap/unsafe helmet markets.

But in the process, why not ensure clarity in specifying that helmets with international standards are acceptable?

Why have loopholes and ambiguity to allow some of the rogue cops in the police force to use the policy for extortion?

One can imagine what such cops would demand based on how premium the motorcycles are.

[Gordon]

To give the authorities a benefit of doubt:
If possible, it would be far easier to identify if a helmet is ISI certified - if the sticker/labels are fake or not. But the same cannot be said about DOT, ECE, SNELL. How would the cops or authorities know if cheap helmets carry the DOT, ECE or SNELL stickers?

However, that still doesn't mean that the genuine lids need to be fined. I mean imagine being fined for using a Rs 10,000+ SNELL helmet while the Rs 1,000 Vega/Studds/Steelbird-open-face-helmet-guy rides past you.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by Gansan

That is a lobby at work in all it's splendor for you! But I don't see what is the problem for the importers to apply and get ISI certification for their helmets, without sneering at the organization. Must not bee too difficult. If you can't beat them, join them!

The issue with your point is that not all of us buy the imported helmets in India. We may buy them abroad while travelling, or may also order online from abroad. In such cases, those pieces will not have the ISI mark displayed.

The ideal and smart solution would be to include a list of acceptable certifications including ISI; and as long as at least one of those certifications is present, the helmet should be considered legal.

Cheers

[timuseravan]

The way this will work is
a. the "cheap" helmet makers will put a 10 paise ISI mark, the inspectors of the appointed regulatory agency (if not RTO) will get one more source of steady income
b. the police will get slightly more 'hafta' from road-side vendors
c. as usual people like us with actual safe helmets will end up being penalized

[audioholic]

Well, the BIS which issues the ISI mark recently told the Bengaluru Traffic Police that enforcement of this rule wont be possible on the field due to the police not having the competency to judge whether the helmet has a genuine ISI mark or a fake one. The correct procedure in this case is to send the helmet to BIS who will then provide a report. Hence, in such a situation, either these Non ISI helmets are now bound to get confiscated by the police, and selling them might invite legal action. However, I think they can only enforce the ban by preventing the sale of cheap helmets. The expensive helmet distribution network will anyway not let go of this easily and will find a workaround or an amendment to the rule. How can they let go of the business of selling expensive helmets which also mean bigger margins.

[Amey Kulkarni]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

In the long run, this is the most viable solution. Non-Indian manufacturers simply have to get the ISI certification. Rest assured this lobby will make them aware of Indian bureaucracy and red-tapism in its finest glory!

Originally Posted by sukiwa

Well, this may turn out to be similar to ISI compliance for tyres few years back. However, not all foreign helmet manufacturers have their office(s) in India unlike Tyre manufacturers. Most DOT/ECE/Snell certified helmets are imported by some entity & sold via their distribution channels. Only time will tell if these importers unite & influence policy makers. It also depends on volume & growth in this area.

Originally Posted by tilt

The ideal and smart solution would be to include a list of acceptable certifications including ISI; and as long as at least one of those certifications is present, the helmet should be considered legal.

Well! Ideally, ISIHMA should look at what the objective of the drive is rather than screaming out for only ISI marked helmets.

If they are going to be stubborn with ISI as the benchmark; it would really be unfair on the superior tested helmet brands with DOT, ECE or SNELL certifications.

However, as I see it if the Indian market is a big portfolio for these brands an ISI testing and certification should not be a big thing technically and commercially.

Cheers,
Amey

[haria]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Hence, in such a situation, either these Non ISI helmets are now bound to get confiscated by the police, and selling them might invite legal action.

On a lighter note : This is too funny - Imagine the cops running around bikers and confiscating the helmets and then issuing riding without helmet challan!!. They will be needing to tote bags/containers to dump these "confiscated" helmets.

On a more serious note, not sure how the logistics of this implementation is ever going to happen. Most likely, this will also die a slow death like that of 10 year old vehicle ban, etc.

[payeng]

Source: Financial Express

"Selling or manufacturing of non-ISI helmets can now land you in jail with a hefty fine of Rs 2 lakh."

"Even the leading international brands who were exporting helmets to India as per European and US standard will now have to adhere to ISI standards. They will not be able to sell otherwise. This notification gives the manufacturers 2 months notice to adhere to ISI standards and for dealers to quickly liquidate their stocks."

Its not clear as to what would happen to customers that get/import their helmet from outside India?


Also found something interesting:

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has just introduced a new norm for motorcycle helmets in India. According to the new standard, the maximum weight of the helmet should be 1.2 kg as opposed to 1.5 kg presently and every manufacturer has to comply with these norms mandatorily.

Is Govt. pushing for CARBON FIBRE ?

[TusharK]

Manufacture & Sale of non-ISI helmets to be banned

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification stating that manufacture, storage and sale of non-ISI helmets for 2-wheelers will be an offence and can lead to arrest without warrant. A person found involved in these activities could face a prison sentence of 2 years and a fine. Repeat offenders could face higher fines.



The government has invited suggestions from stake holders and the general public, which can be submitted within the next 60 days. Post this period, manufacturers will have to stop producing non-standard helmets, while retailers will be forced to liquidate their stocks. International brands exporting their helmets to India will also have to adhere to ISI standards.

The Bureau of Indian Standards will be the certifying and enforcing authority. An officer above the rank of General Manager, District Industries Center in Department of Industries of the State Government will also have authority to enforce the rule.

In January 2018, the Bangalore police had decided to crack down on non-ISI and imported helmet users, but the order was later withdrawn. Later, it was reported that Indian policy makers were planning to ban non-ISI helmets.

Link to Team-BHP News

[aghate]

Originally Posted by TusharK

Manufacture & Sale of non-ISI helmets to be banned

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification stating that manufacture, storage and sale of non-ISI helmets for 2-wheelers will be an offence and can lead to arrest without warrant. A person found involved in these activities could face a prison sentence of 2 years and a fine. Repeat offenders could face higher fines.

Link to Team-BHP News

A welcome move. Would be happy if they implement it without any sort of major corruption like approving the coconut shells for the sake of billions of rupees. Need to spread awareness among people as well.

Another thing to highlight would be to specify clearly that DOT, ECE and SNELL safety rated ones are allowed for sale. Or at least get them under the same umbrella as ISI which seems to be an easier option. Needless to say they are better than the ISI standards.