Helmet norms tweaked, doors open for imports

NEW DELHI: After some back and forth, the BIS has finally notified the new two-wheeler helmet standard, which will come in to effect from September 4. It has done away with the weight limit, which was notified three years back. The revised standard will allow sale of imported helmets, though they have to comply with the Indian Standard (IS) norms.
The Bureau of Indian Standards had reduced the maximum weight of helmets from 1.5 kg to 1.2 kg in its bid to make them lighter for drivers and pillion riders after an expert committee recommended this. Sources said later there were representations from different players highlighting why the government should not block people’s access to get better quality helmets even if these are heavier.
According to data, 43,600 two-wheeler riders without helmets had died in road crashes in 2018.