The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has intensified its crackdown on e-commerce platforms selling substandard and non-compliant products, reinforcing its commitment to consumer safety. In a significant operation on March 19, the Delhi Branch of BIS conducted a search and seizure at the warehouses of Amazon Sellers Pvt Ltd in the Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area. The raid, which lasted over 15 hours, uncovered more than 3,500 products, including geysers, food mixers, and other electrical appliances, that either lacked the mandatory ISI mark or bore fake labels. The seized items, valued at approximately ₹70 lakhs, highlight the growing concern over unauthorized and potentially unsafe products entering the market.
A similar operation was carried out at Instakart Services Pvt Ltd, a Flipkart subsidiary in Trinagar, Delhi. Inspectors discovered a stock of sports footwear packaged for dispatch without the required ISI mark or even a date of manufacture. Around 590 pairs of non-compliant shoes, worth ₹6 lakhs, were confiscated.
Over the past month, BIS has conducted multiple raids across various locations, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Lucknow, and Sriperumbudur, as part of its broader enforcement campaign. These efforts align with the government’s objective of ensuring that only certified and safe products reach consumers. Currently, 769 products have been notified for compulsory certification by regulators and ministries, and it is illegal to manufacture, import, sell, or store these items without a valid BIS license or Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
The consequences for violating these regulations are severe. Under the BIS Act of 2016, offenders can face imprisonment, hefty fines, or both. While e-commerce has revolutionized shopping, offering convenience and variety, it has also posed challenges in quality control. The recent raids underscore the urgent need for stricter compliance measures, ensuring that consumers are not exposed to unsafe and substandard products. The BIS remains steadfast in its mission to uphold quality standards, protect consumer interests, and maintain the integrity of India’s market.
