BIS Certification for Helmets | A Complete Guide

Introduction

A helmet is a safety product that is designed to protect the user's head from serious injury. Because its performance cannot be judged simply by appearance, material quality, or design, helmet manufacturers need to meet defined Indian safety requirements before selling or importing notified helmet products on the Indian market.

For businesses, one of the most commonly asked questions is: Is BIS certification mandatory for helmets in India?

For notified helmet categories, the answer is yes. However, the applicable Indian Standard generally depends on the type as well as the intended use of the helmet. For two-wheeler rider helmets, the key standard is IS 4151:2015, while other helmet categories are specified by their respective Indian Standards and regulatory requirements. 

What is BIS Certification for Helmets?

BIS certification, granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is a mandatory certification requirement for notified product categories in the Indian market. By getting a BIS ISI certificate for helmets in India, the manufacturer demonstrates that the product meets the safety and quality parameters and other regulatory requirements of the applicable Indian Standard.

For a product that has been notified by a mandatory QCO, the manufacturer must follow the prescribed BIS certification type route to comply with the applicable requirements before legally using the BIS Standard Mark.

For two-wheeler rider helmets, the applicable standard is IS 4151:2015 - Protective Helmet for Two Wheeler Riders. 

Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Helmets in India?

Yes, for helmets that have been notified by a QCO, a BIS ISI certification is a mandatory requirement. The Helmet for Riders of Two-Wheeler Motor Vehicles (Quality Control) Order, 2020 specifically covers helmets for two-wheeler motor vehicle riders, and mentions IS 4151:2015. This means a manufacturer or business cannot simply manufacture or import a regulated two-wheeler helmet and decide independently whether to put an ISI mark on it. The applicable certification and marking requirements must be followed.

Different helmets can fall under different standards and regulatory orders. For example:

Therefore, businesses should verify the current regulatory status of their specific helmet category rather than applying the IS 4151 requirement to every type of protective headgear. If you don’t know the key compliance requirements for your products, check your eligibility for a BIS certification today. 

Helmet Types and Their BIS Standards

Understanding the difference between standards is one of the most useful parts of helmet compliance planning.

1. IS 4151:2015 - Two-Wheeler Rider Helmets

This is the principal standard for protective helmets that are used by two-wheeler riders. BIS identifies it as Protective Helmet for Two Wheeler Riders and mandates the use of the ISI mark for these notified goods in India.

2. IS 2925:1984 - Industrial Safety Helmets

Industrial safety helmets are covered by IS 2925:1984. BIS describes these helmets as intended to protect workers from head injuries in industrial environments, including hazards such as falling objects. The standard basically addresses the shell, harness, as well as various other construction and performance requirements.

3. IS 2745:1983 - Firemen and Civil Defence Personnel

IS 2745:1983 covers non-metal helmets for firemen as well as civil defence personnel. BIS maintains a product manual for this standard under its Scheme-I certification framework.

4. IS 9562:1980 - Police Force

IS 9562:1980 covers non-metal helmets that are intended for the Police Force. BIS currently lists IS 9562 alongside IS 2745 and IS 2925 under the Helmet for Police Force, Civil Defence and Personal Protection (Quality Control) Order, 2023, and thereby mandates BIS certification for the same.

Key Eligibility Requirements for BIS Certification for Helmets

Before applying for BIS certification, a helmet manufacturer should make sure that the product and manufacturing setup meet the basic eligibility conditions. Key requirements include the following:

1. Correct Indian Standard: The helmet must fall under the applicable Indian Standard, such as IS 4151:2015 for two-wheeler rider helmets, IS 2925: 1984 for industrial helmets, etc.
2. Product conformity: The helmet design, materials, construction, as well as overall performance should meet the requirements of the applicable standard.
3. Suitable manufacturing facility: The manufacturer should have an established production facility that is capable of consistently manufacturing conforming helmets.
4. Testing capability: Required testing facilities or suitable arrangements for applicable product testing should be available for compliance.
5. Product consistency: The models, sizes, as well as varieties that have been proposed for certification should be clearly defined and capable of being produced in a consistent manner.
6. Foreign manufacturer requirements: Foreign manufacturers must meet the applicable FMCS requirements and have an Authorized Indian Representative to get the BIS ISI certificate.

In simple terms: BIS eligibility generally depends not only on having a helmet ready for testing, but also on having the right standard, compliant product, capable manufacturing facility and appropriate quality-control system in place.

What Does an Indian Standard for Helmets Actually Look At?

A helmet has several parts that work together. The shell alone does not make a compliant helmet. Depending on the applicable requirements, the product evaluation in accordance with the specifications and BIS requirements of the Indian Standard can be considered in areas such as:

1. Construction

The helmet must be manufactured according to the construction requirements that have been prescribed by the applicable standard. This can involve the shell, protective elements, retention system, visor, as well as several other relevant components.

2. Size and Fit

A helmet needs to correspond to the applicable size requirements. Incorrect dimensions can affect how the helmet sits on the rider's head as well as how its protective components perform.

3. Peripheral Vision

A helmet should not unnecessarily restrict the user's field of vision. The specific Indian Standards for helmets include peripheral vision requirements within its testing framework.

4. Retention System

The retention system is important because the helmet needs to remain correctly positioned during an accident. The chin strap as well as the associated retention components therefore form an important part of compliance evaluation.

5. Mass

Helmet mass is also considered under the standard. This means manufacturers cannot simply keep adding material in order to make a helmet heavier and assume that more material means better compliance.

6. Workmanship and Finish

The finished helmet is evaluated for prescribed workmanship and finish requirements. This is particularly important for manufacturers who are producing helmets at commercial scale because consistent production quality matters for eligible operations in the Indian market.

What is Tested During BIS Helmet Certification?

Testing of Helmets for BIS certification actually varies according to the applicable Indian Standard. The BIS commonly tests areas such as:

• Size
• Workmanship and finish
• Mass
• Shock absorption resistance
• Penetration resistance
• Flammability resistance
• Electrical resistance
• Water absorption
• Heat resistance

The exact testing requirements should always be checked against the latest applicable standard and BIS requirements. Thus, businesses should comprehensively understand ISI Mark certification before proceeding with the application.

What is the Step-By-Step BIS Certification Process?

Here are the simple steps that must be followed by businesses to easily get a BIS certification for helmets in the Indian market:

Step 1: Identify the Helmet Category and Indian Standard

It is important to first establish the applicable helmet category and the respective Indian Standard corresponding to which a BIS ISI certification will be granted to the applicant.

Step 2: Review Product Design and Specifications

Before testing, review the helmet technically. This may include a careful evaluation of the following parameters:

• Shell material
• Protective padding
• Harness/retention system
• Chin strap
• Visor
• Fasteners
• Dimensions
• Sizes
• Product weight
• Manufacturing process
• Raw materials
• Marking details

Step 3: Prepare the Factory

For Scheme-I certification, factory-related readiness is of utmost importance. The manufacturer should be prepared with the following:

• Manufacturing machinery
• Production process
• Quality-control system
• Testing arrangements
• Calibrated equipment
• Quality-control personnel
• Raw-material controls
• Inspection records
• Product identification and traceability

Step 4: Submit the BIS Application

The application is filed through the applicable BIS certification process on the ManakOnline portal. The manufacturer needs to provide the required technical, manufacturing, and administrative information.

Any incorrect product descriptions, incomplete documents, or a mismatch between the application as well as the actual factory/product can create avoidable queries by BIS, thereby delaying the BIS certification process.

Step 5: Factory Assessment

BIS may check the manufacturing facility and relevant quality-control arrangements under the applicable Scheme-I process. The objective is to establish that the manufacturer has the capability to consistently produce the product that will conform to the relevant Indian Standard and BIS safety & quality parameters.

Step 6: Product Sample Testing

Product samples are tested according to the applicable standard. If the product does not meet the required parameters, the manufacturer may need to re-evaluate the cause for the same and take corrective action before certification can proceed.

Step 7: BIS Review and Licence Grant

After the applicable documentation, evaluation, and testing requirements are successfully completed, BIS can grant the ISI mark certification for helmets within the approved scope to the applicant. The manufacturer can then use the Standard Mark in accordance with the applicable marking requirements.

Step 8: Maintain Compliance

Businesses must remember that certification is not a one-time event. Manufacturers need to continue producing the certified product according to the approved requirements and follow applicable inspection, testing, marking, as well as BIS license renewal requirements. 

If there are any changes in product specifications, manufacturing location, raw materials, etc., the applicant has to inform the BIS and get the changes reviewed before implementation, in order to prevent hassles later.

Documents Required for BIS Helmet Certification

The exact documents vary by product and applicant, but a manufacturer should generally be prepared with the commonly required documents for a BIS ISI certification:

• Legal address proofs of the factories
• Product specification
• Details of raw material, machinery, and testing equipments
• Details of QC Staff and other basic details of the factory
• Lab test reports of the product
• Main Application Form V
• ISI Application Fee
• Appointment of AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) in case you are a foreign manufacturer

Note: You can appoint Brand Liaison, the best BIS ISI Certification consultant in India, as your AIR

How Much Does BIS Certification for Helmets Cost?

There is no single fixed price or a BIS certification cost for every helmet certification project. The final cost depends on various factors such as type of helmet, testing requirements, factory audit fees, location of the manufacturing unit, additional compliance requirements, appointment of AIR, consultancy partnerships, etc. 

However, here is a simplified cost breakdown for an ISI mark license:

Professional and top BIS consultants in India can help you know the exact price estimate for a BIS certification for helmets, in order to plan compliance budgets and proceed confidently in the Indian market.

How Long Does BIS Certification for Helmets Take?

The timeline to get a BIS certificate for helmets generally depends on the product type, factory readiness, testing requirements, documentation, as well as application processing by the BIS. A project can take longer when:

• The wrong standard is selected
• Technical documents are incomplete
• Factory testing facilities are not ready
• Samples fail testing
• BIS raises queries
• Manufacturing information changes during the project

However, if all is correct and accurate, on average, a BIS ISI certificate can be granted in 25-40 working days for Indian manufacturers and and 5-6 months for foreign manufacturers. 

Professional BIS consultants can help you prepare in advance and prevent additional delays during BIS certification.

BIS Certification for Foreign Helmet Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers who are supplying helmets to India need to use the BIS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) where the applicable product is eligible for that route.

The foreign manufacturer needs an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) and must comply with the applicable BIS requirements for international manufacturing facilities. You can also appoint Brand Liaison as your AIR, who can be the official point of contact between your business and the BIS authorities, helping you with a worry-free BIS certificate for the Indian market.

A foreign manufacturer should check the applicable BIS requirements before shipping commercial stock to India, rather than treating certification as something to complete after market entry.

Penalties for Non-Compliance with BIS Helmet Requirements

Manufacturers, importers, or sellers of helmets that are notified by mandatory BIS requirements should not manufacture, import, sell, or apply the Standard Mark without meeting the applicable BIS license requirements. Non-compliance with the ISI mark registration standards can lead to regulatory action under the BIS Act and applicable Quality Control Orders.

Important: The exact penalty will depend on the nature of the violation as well as the applicable provisions of the BIS Act, 2016, BIS Regulations and relevant Quality Control Order. 

Also Read: How to Check BIS Certificate Online?

Why Choose Brand Liaison for Helmet BIS Certification?

Helmet certification in India requires more than submitting an application. The project connects product classification, Indian Standards, testing, factory readiness, documentation, as well as continued BIS compliance. Brand Liaison brings practical experience across all these areas.

10+ Years of Compliance Experience

Brand Liaison has 10+ years of experience supporting manufacturers, importers, as well as businesses with Indian regulatory approvals and compliance requirements.

5,000+ Certificates

With 5,000+ certificates handled across compliance requirements, Brand Liaison has experience working with businesses that are dealing with notified products and market-entry requirements in India.

1,000+ BIS Projects

Brand Liaison has proudly completed 1,000+ BIS projects, majorly covering different products, standards, as well as compliance & regulatory certification requirements.

500+ FMCS Projects

For foreign manufacturers, Brand Liaison's experience includes 500+ FMCS projects, providing practical familiarity with foreign manufacturing facilities, AIR-related requirements, and the additional steps that are often involved in international BIS certification.

CMS Helmets - A Helmet BIS Certification Client of Brand Liaison

Working on helmet certification projects with big clients such as CMS Helmets gives Brand Liaison direct experience with the practical requirements that are involved in simplifying the BIS certification process and helping businesses comprehensively maintain compliance and eligibility in the Indian market.

More Than Just BIS Application Filing

Brand Liaison can support the certification journey through key stages such as:

The focus is to make the certification process absolutely clearer, more organized, and easier to manage for the business.

Conclusion 

For businesses, the biggest mistake is to view BIS helmet certification as simply "getting an ISI mark." In fact, you need to identify the correct helmet category, map it to the applicable Indian Standard, understand the relevant QCO, prepare the product and factory, complete testing, submit the required information, and maintain compliance after certification.

Being the best BIS ISI certificate consultant in Delhi, Brand Liaison supports businesses through the practical stages of ISI mark certification. Its helmet certification experience also includes CMS Helmets, giving the team direct experience with the compliance requirements that are actually relevant to helmet manufacturers. Contact us today and ensure a hassle-free BIS license journey for the Indian market.