BIS officials raid helmet shop in Coimbatore, seize non-ISI protective gear

COIMBATORE: Officials of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) conducted a raid at a helmet outlet in Saibaba Colony here on Friday and seized helmets meant for two-wheeler riders which were allegedly being sold and stored without the mandatory BIS standard mark (ISI mark).

The enforcement action was carried out at IP Auto World on Mettupalayam Road by officials from the BIS Coimbatore branch office following specific information about suspected violations of the BIS Act, 2016.

The team comprised Vinith Kumar G, scientist-E and director, Divya S, scientist-D and joint director, and Gautam Chand Soni, scientist-C and deputy director. The search and seizure operation was conducted under Section 28 of the BIS Act, 2016.

During the inspection, the outlet was allegedly found selling and stocking helmets for two-wheeler riders without the BIS Standard Mark. BIS officials seized the helmets for violation of provisions of the Act.

Ramesh K, director and head of the BIS Coimbatore branch office, said action would be initiated against the offender under the BIS Act, 2016.

He said under Section 29 of the Act, the offence is punishable, for a first contravention, with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of not less than Rs 2 lakh, which may extend to 10 times the value of the goods manufactured, sold, offered for sale or marked with the Standard Mark, or both.

BIS advised consumers to check the ISI mark and verify the CM/L number while purchasing protective helmets and other products carrying the certification mark through the BIS Care app.

The agency said manufacturers and suppliers must ensure strict compliance with the BIS Act, warning that misuse of the ISI mark, use of expired licences, or misleading claims about BIS certification could invite penal action.