BSJ Launches Standard for Helmets Worn by Motorcyclists

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) has launched the standard for helmets worn by motorcyclists – JS 374:2025 Jamaica Standard Specification – Protective Helmets for Road Users.

This forms part of a broader national effort to raise awareness about the importance of using certified, high-quality motorcycle helmets as a life-saving measure to reduce head injuries and fatalities.

The launch was held on Tuesday (March 31) at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) Incubator and Resource Centre in Kingston.

State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Delano Seiveright, said motorcyclists remain among the most vulnerable road users.

“Today marks a critical milestone in Jamaica’s ongoing efforts to strengthen road safety, consumer protection and our national quality infrastructure. The launch of JS 374:2025 Jamaica Standard Specification – Protective Helmets for Road Users represents far more than the introduction of a technical standard. It represents a decisive step by Jamaica to protect lives through science, regulation and coordinated national action,” he explained.

Mr. Seiveright said too many lives are being lost or are being altered permanently because of substandard protective equipment and also failure to wear the equipment.

“This standard directly addresses that risk. What the standard delivers, by establishing clear internationally aligned requirements, is that helmets sold in Jamaica provide real protection and not a false sense of security,” he said.

The standard sets requirements for impact absorption, penetration resistance, retention systems, field of vision, proper labelling and certification.

“This initiative by the BSJ supports national road-safety objectives and promotes a culture of compliance and responsible road use,” Mr. Seiveright noted.

For his part, Executive Director of the BSJ, Dr. Velton Gooden, said the JS 374:2025 Jamaica Standard Specification has been carefully developed to introduce clear, practical and internationally aligned guidelines for protective helmets used by motorbike riders.

“The standard addresses critical safety and quality parameters, ensuring that helmets worn on our roads are fit for purpose, capable of absorbing impact and designed to protect the lives of those who depend on them every single day. In essence, the standard is about reducing the severe impact of injuries, minimising fatalities, and strengthening public confidence in products available in the marketplace,” he said.

The Jamaica Standard Specification 374:2025 establishes requirements for protective helmets designed for road users, ensuring that helmets available on the market meet defined safety and quality benchmarks.