IS 4151 BIS Certification for Helmet for Riders of Two Wheeler Motor Vehicles
Helmet for Riders of Two Wheeler Motor Vehicles made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 4151 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 4151
| Standard | IS 4151: 2015 |
|---|---|
| Title | Helmet for riders of Two Wheeler Motor Vehicles |
| Product covered | Helmet for Riders of Two Wheeler Motor Vehicles |
| Category | Helmet for riders of Two Wheeler Motor Vehicles |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Helmet for riders of Two Wheeler Motor Vehicles (Quality Control) Order, 2020, S.O. No. 4252 (E) · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 4151
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 4151:2015 Protective helmets for motorcycle riders - Specification (Fourth Revision) | 31 Dec 2015 | Current, next review 20 Jun 2030 |
| IS 4151:1993 Specification for protective helmets for scooter and motorcycle riders | Withdrawn 14 Mar 2022 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2018), Second Amendment (2020). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 4151
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 4151, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹46,000 |
| Medium | ₹37,000 |
| Small | ₹23,000 |
| Micro | ₹9,200 |
Unit rate: ₹0.45 per piece. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 4151
From the BIS product manual for IS 4151, which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:9 Helmets + 3m chin strap
Raw material requirements:
- Materials - Clause 4 of IS 4151 : 2015
Tests BIS can carry out in a day during factory inspection:
- Sizes (Clause 5)
- Constructional requirement (Clause 6.1 to 6.6)
- Peripheral vision (Clause 6.7)
- Workmanship and Finish (Clause 6.8)
- Mass (Class 6.9)
- Dynamic test of retention system (Clause 7.5)
The full type test covers every clause of IS 4151; the list above is what can be checked on site.
ISI licences under IS 4151
BIS records 164 operative licences (176 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Uttar Pradesh (62), Delhi (59), Haryana (16), Karnataka (6), Maharashtra (4).
Testing against IS 4151
BIS inspects the factory and has samples tested to the full Indian Standard at a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory. After grant, the factory keeps testing production under the Scheme of Inspection and Testing, and BIS draws factory and market samples.
The test report has to cover every clause of IS 4151 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 4151 or replaces it with a new edition, existing licence holders move to the new edition by the date BIS sets in its notification.
How to get an ISI mark licence under IS 4151
The licence is granted to the manufacturer for a specific factory and product. Indian factories apply under Scheme-I; overseas factories apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and must nominate an Authorised Indian Representative.
- Confirm the exact Indian Standard and the varieties to cover
- Get the product tested at a BIS-recognised lab (simplified procedure) or arrange BIS sampling
- Apply on Manak Online with factory, quality-control and test documents
- BIS factory inspection and sample verification
- Grant of licence, then marking with the ISI mark and CM/L number
Timeline. BIS targets 30 days under the simplified procedure (applying with a recent lab test report) and 90 days under the normal procedure. Overseas factories under FMCS typically take around 6 months.
Fees. Application fee ₹1,000 and annual licence fee ₹1,000, inspection charges of ₹7,000 per man-day, testing charges, and an annual minimum marking fee set for each Indian Standard (with concessions for micro and small units).
Mark. Certified products carry the ISI Standard Mark with the IS number and the CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX licence number.
Frequently asked questions
What does IS 4151 cover?
IS 4151: 2015: Helmet for riders of Two Wheeler Motor Vehicles. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for helmet for riders of two wheeler motor vehicles.
Is BIS certification under IS 4151 mandatory?
Yes, for helmet for riders of two wheeler motor vehicles, under the Helmet for riders of Two Wheeler Motor Vehicles (Quality Control) Order, 2020, S.O. No. 4252 (E). The product needs a valid BIS licence (ISI mark) and must carry the ISI Standard Mark with the IS number and the CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX licence number.
Where is a product tested for IS 4151?
BIS inspects the factory and has samples tested to the full Indian Standard at a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory. After grant, the factory keeps testing production under the Scheme of Inspection and Testing, and BIS draws factory and market samples.
How long does IS 4151 BIS certification take?
BIS targets 30 days under the simplified procedure (applying with a recent lab test report) and 90 days under the normal procedure. Overseas factories under FMCS typically take around 6 months.
Source: BIS lists of products under compulsory certification (Scheme-I, Scheme-II), checked October 2026. See the full BIS product list or all Indian Standards.
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