On March 15th, 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) launched a major crackdown on e-commerce platforms, targeting the sale of unsafe, non-certified products. The operation, spearheaded by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, focused on leading e-commerce giants such as Amazon and Flipkart, with raids carried out in cities like Lucknow, Gurugram, and Delhi. These actions come as part of ongoing efforts to curb the distribution of substandard and non-compliant products that could pose significant safety risks to consumers.
Key Highlights of the BIS Raid Operations
Seizures from Amazon and Flipkart Warehouses:
- On March 7th, 2025, a raid at an Amazon warehouse in Lucknow led to the seizure of 215 toys and 24 hand blenders, all lacking the mandatory BIS certification.
- In a previous operation in February 2025, a similar raid at another Amazon warehouse in Gurugram resulted in the seizure of 58 aluminium foils, 34 metallic water bottles, 25 toys, 20 hand blenders, and other non-certified goods.
- Additionally, a raid at Flipkart’s warehouse in Gurugram uncovered 534 stainless steel bottles, 134 toys, and 41 speakers, all non-certified by BIS.
Non-Certified Products Traced to Techvision International Pvt Ltd:
- Investigations pointed to Techvision International Pvt Ltd, whose warehouses in Delhi were raided by BIS. During these operations, 7,000 electric water heaters, 4,000 electric food mixers, and 95 electric room heaters were found without BIS certification.
- Products from well-known brands like Digismart, Activa, Inalsa, and Butterfly were among those seized.
Legal Actions Under the BIS Act, 2016:
- Following these seizures, BIS has initiated legal actions against Techvision International Pvt Ltd under Sections 17(1) and 17(3) of the BIS Act, 2016, which stipulates penalties ranging from two lakh rupees to ten times the value of goods sold. Offenders could also face up to two years of imprisonment.
Mandatory BIS Certification for Consumer Products:
- BIS has emphasized that many of the products seized during the raids, such as toys, room heaters, food mixers, and gas stoves, are required by law to be certified by BIS. Without this certification, these products have not undergone the rigorous safety and performance testing needed to ensure consumer safety.
Growing Concerns Over E-Commerce Platforms:
- Despite the mandatory BIS certification for many household products, BIS’s market surveillance has revealed that numerous non-certified goods continue to be sold on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Myntra, and BigBasket. These products, which either lack the ISI mark or bear an invalid ISI mark, have raised significant concerns about consumer safety.
BIS’s Call to E-Commerce Platforms and Consumers
- E-commerce platforms are urged to exercise greater due diligence and ensure that only BIS-certified products are listed for sale, particularly those that are legally required to meet safety standards. BIS has issued notices to these platforms, demanding immediate compliance.
- Consumers are encouraged to be vigilant when making purchases, using tools like the BIS Care App, which allows users to verify whether products bear an authentic ISI Mark and are BIS-certified. This app also allows consumers to file complaints about substandard products or report quality issues with BIS-certified goods.
A Step Towards Safer Markets
The recent raids and seizures are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by non-certified products. As BIS continues its surveillance activities and works towards holding violators accountable, it remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian consumers.
For more details and to access the BIS Care App, consumers can visit the official BIS website: www.bis.gov.in.
This crackdown on unsafe, non-certified products highlights the urgent need for e-commerce platforms to prioritize consumer safety and comply with regulatory standards. As BIS intensifies its efforts, the message is clear: only BIS-certified products should be sold to consumers, ensuring that safety and quality standards are upheld across the marketplace.
