BIS Seizes Non-ISI Helmets in Vijayawada Raid

Vijayawada:The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Tuesday conducted an enforcement raid at an automobile outlet in Vijayawada and seized helmets allegedly being stored and sold without the mandatory ISI certification mark.

The raid was carried out at Sri Jagadamba Automotives on Kaleswar Rao Road, Governorpet, by a BIS Vijayawada branch office team led by joint director Shanmukha Shiva Palli and deputy director Durgum Vivek Vardhan Reddy, along with three other officials.

During the inspection, officials seized helmets of the XINOR NEXO and AXXIS brands that did not carry the mandatory ISI mark. BIS alleged that the outlet had violated the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016, and the applicable Quality Control Orders governing the sale and storage of certified helmets.

Legal proceedings have been initiated under Sections 17 and 29(3) of the BIS Act, 2016. Under Section 29(3), violations are punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine ranging from ?2 lakh to ?5 lakh, or up to ten times the value of the goods involved.

BIS said it would continue enforcement drives to ensure compliance with certification norms and safeguard consumer safety. It also advised consumers to verify products through the BIS Care App and report any misuse of ISI or Hallmark certification, assuring confidentiality for complainants.