PERMITTING MOTORCYCLE HELMETS APPROVED UNDER INTERNATIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS FOR USE IN SINGAPORE

A Bukit Batok resident wrote to me recently to highlight that helmets which are approved for local use are significantly more pricey that helmets which only carry internationally acceptable standards. From my research, I found out that it is mandatory for helmets, even if they may be approved by international and well-reknown bodies, to be locally tested and approved. This is why the locally approved helmets are more expensive since the market for such helmets here is much smaller. I asked the Minister for Home Affairs to consider allowing motorcyclists in Singapore to use helmets that meet international safety standards in addition to those complying with the Singapore Standard 9:2014. Having regard to concerns that some counterfeit helmets may be marketed here as a result of opening the market, I also inquired whether upstream measures can be implemented to address this problem. I am glad to note that the Government is considering my suggestion. My parliamentary question and Minister Shanmugam’s response are set out below.

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Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Traffic Police can consider allowing motorcyclists to use helmets that are approved by other international motorcycle helmet safety standards in addition to those locally approved to the Singapore Standard 9:2014; and (b) if so, whether upstream measures may be implemented to guard against the import of counterfeit helmets from overseas.

Mr K Shanmugam: The Singapore Standard 9:2014 was developed in 2014 in consultation with industry and technical experts. All motorcycle helmets must meet this standard today.

The Traffic Police and key stakeholders from public and private sectors, including testing laboratories and academia have convened a working group to review the motorcycle helmet standard. This is supported by the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), overseen by Enterprise Singapore. The review will include assessing whether other overseas and international standards meet our local safety requirements. We will provide an update when the working group completes its review this year. Time is needed for the review due to the need for industry consultation and review of overseas publications.