Latest news with #QualityControlOrders
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
BIS seizes uncertified consumer goods in raid at Amazon hub in Vijayawada
BIS Vijayawada Director Prem Sajani Patnala said the raid was part of an ongoing effort to identify and stop the circulation of products that do not comply New Delhi The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Vijayawada carried out a raid at Amazon's warehouse in Kandrika, located in Andhra Pradesh's NTR district, and seized a large stock of uncertified consumer goods. These included electronics, kitchenware, toys, ceiling fans, footwear, and more, according to an official statement released on Wednesday. The enforcement operation took place on July 15. BIS Vijayawada Director Prem Sajani Patnala said the raid was part of an ongoing effort to identify and stop the circulation of products that do not comply with Quality Control Orders (QCOs). 'Based on actionable intelligence and digital tracking, it was discovered that several e-commerce platforms are helping sell and distribute uncertified and potentially dangerous goods,' the press note said. BIS is currently running a nationwide campaign to stop the sale of non-compliant products. Violation of BIS Act, 2016 Patnala confirmed that the seized items did not have the required BIS certification or registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. This is a violation of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, which bars the sale, display, or storage of goods without the proper standard mark. Unsafe goods promoted via e-commerce She stated that these platforms "are enabling the circulation of uncertified and unsafe goods". Patnala also explained that the seized items would either be destroyed, scrapped, or made unusable, depending on the category. "For example, BIS drills holes in cookers, stoves, and steel products. Gold is melted, but only after court approval", she said. She also revealed that many sellers listed on e-commerce sites provide fake or non-traceable addresses, often linked to residential areas. Holding platforms accountable "We thought we had to catch hold of the platform, they will lead us to the actual manufacturer," she said. BIS has now decided to hold e-commerce companies directly accountable. 'Everyone making a profit should be made responsible,' she added. Previous actions of BIS against e-commerce platforms This is not the first raid. This action follows recent similar raids on Flipkart, E-Kart, and Meesho in Krishna district. On March 20, 2025, BIS found multiple items lacking mandatory certification during recent raids in various warehouses of e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart. Speaking on this, the government body said it took this step in a bid to enhance consumer safety from potentially hazardous products. Raids were conducted in a series at Amazon and Flipkart warehouses in Gurgaon, Lucknow, and Delhi, and more than 7,000 substandard items, including electric water heaters, toys, blenders, bottles, and speakers that were found to be without the BIS standard mark, were seized. On March 26, 2025, BIS conducted a search and seizure operation at a warehouse of Amazon located in Airport City, Shamshabad, for violation of the provisions. Here, it seized 2,783 "uncertified" consumer products. These products were estimated to be worth more than Rs 50 lakhs, as per BIS.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Over 25 categories of uncertified goods seized in BIS raid on e-commerce firms
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Tuesday said it had seized a large consignment of uncertified consumer products from e-commerce platforms Flipkart , E-Kart , and Meesho in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, emphasising that several platforms are "facilitating the sale and distribution of hazardous goods". The BIS is conducting a nationwide enforcement campaign to curb the sale of non-certified and unsafe products that violate provisions of the Quality Control Orders (QCOs). As part of this drive, the BIS Vijayawada branch carried out a raid on July 14 at Mustabad village in Gannavaram mandal, targeting the three platforms, an official press release said. "The BIS Vijayawada Branch Office conducted a major raid on prominent e-commerce platforms-Flipkart, E-Kart, and Meesho. During the operation, officials seized a large consignment comprising over 25 categories of consumer products," said Prem Sajani Patnala, Director & Head, BIS Vijayawada. The seized products included electronics, LED bulbs, toys, and table fans-all in violation of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, Patnala said. Based on actionable intelligence and digital surveillance, it was found that several e-commerce platforms are enabling the sale of uncertified and potentially hazardous products, the release added. These items, lacking valid BIS certification , were being sold in violation of mandatory QCOs and relevant provisions of the BIS Act, posing serious risks to consumer health and safety , Patnala said. Section 17 of the BIS Act prohibits the sale, storage, or display of goods without the standard mark, while Section 29(3) provides for imprisonment of up to three years and fines up to Rs 10 lakh, or up to ten times the value of the seized goods. In applicable cases, violations under Section 79(2)(c) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Rule 3(b)(iv) & (v) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, will also be invoked for failure to exercise due diligence by the platforms, Patnala added. With over 800 products falling under mandatory BIS certification, all such goods must bear standard marks-such as ISI, CRS, Hallmark, or relevant system marks-and be sold only by licensed entities. Manufacture, storage, or sale of uncertified goods is punishable under law. Patnala urged consumers to use the BIS Care app to verify certification details and report misuse of BIS marks, assuring that BIS will continue proactive enforcement and consumer outreach efforts.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
BIS raids Flipkart, E-Kart, Meesho, Amazon warehouses
Officials of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Vijayawada, conducted raids on e-commerce warehouses of Flipkart, Meesho and E-Kart at Mustabad in Krishna district and Amazon at Kandrika, and seized many non-certified products violating the provisions of Quality Control Orders (QOC). The enforcement drive was part of the ongoing nationwide initiate to curb the sale and distribution of non-certified and unsafe products. BIS teams seized about 25 categories of consumer products, including LED bulbs, toys, electronic material and table fans, which lack mandatory BIS certification or the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) mark, thereby violating Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, said BIS Vijayawada director and head Prem Sajani Patnala, on Tuesday. 'Based on specific intelligence and digital surveillance, it has been found that several e-commerce platforms are facilitating the sale and distribution of uncertified and potentially hazardous products. The seized products are being sold in contravention of mandatory QCOs,' Ms. Prem Sajani said. BIS Vijayawada deputy director V.V. Reddy said that there are over 800 products under BIS mandatory certification. All the products must possess ISI, CRS or Hallmark. 'Any manufacture, storage or sale of goods without BIS approval is punishable under law. Use of BIS Care App, available on Google Play Store and Apple Store. Public are requested to report misuse of BIS marks on the App,' the Director said. 'BIS will continue the enforcement and consumer outreach efforts to ensure only safe and certified goods reach the market,' Mr. V.V. Reddy said.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bureau of Indian Standards issued 1,050 licences in Andhra Pradesh, says Director
Director and Head of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Vijayawada, Prem Sajani Patnala, said that BIS had issued 1,050 licences to traders in Andhra Pradesh and emphasised the importance of maintaining quality standards. She was speaking after inaugurating a one-day Industry Meetorganised by BIS in collaboration with the Department of Industries and the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME), India, in Vijayawada on Thursday. Ms. Prem Sajani highlighted that BIS had initiated steps to integrate Indian Standards into the State's procurement policy, a decision taken during the first meeting of the State-Level Committee for Standardisation held recently. Additional Director (Industries) A. Ramalingeswara Raju said BIS certifications — both voluntary and mandatory — had a significant impact on consumer trust, product quality, and marketability. 'Andhra Pradesh is home to around 16 lakh MSMEs and 1,100 large industries. Adoption of Indian standards is vital for boosting exports and gaining global acceptance,' he said. Joint Director, Industries Department, Venkat Rao, said adherence to Indian standards helps industries improve global competitiveness. He also lauded BIS's support in helping MSMEs secure product certifications. FSME India Skill Development Chairman K.L.N. Prakash, scientist Durgum Vivek Vardhan Reddy, and other experts explained the significance of Quality Control Orders, revised and newly-published standards, the BIS Care App, product manuals, testing methods, and the licensing system. Later, Ms. Prem Sajani and BIS scientists addressed queries from industrialists and clarified various issues related to certification and compliance.
Hans India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
BIS stresses on quality standards for 'Made in India' products
Vijayawada: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is intensifying its focus on ensuring that both domestically manufactured goods and imported products adhere to Indian quality standards, said A Ramalingeswara Raju, additional director of the department of industries. Speaking at an 'Industrial Meet' held here on Thursday, organised by BIS in collaboration with the department of industries and the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises India (FSME), Ramalingeswara Raju highlighted the significant presence of 1.6 million MSMEs and 1,100 large-scale industries in Andhra Pradesh. He noted that a large number of small industries often hesitate to obtain BIS certification due to perceived high costs, despite its crucial role in exporting goods. 'In the evolving landscape, obtaining certification has become much easier,' Ramalingeswara Raju stated, adding that both central and state governments are providing subsidies to help MSMEs acquire BIS certification. Prem Sajini Patnala, BIS director, emphasised that BIS is the sole authority for setting standards in India. She clarified that BIS certification is mandatory for the manufacturing, storage, and sale of products within the country. Currently, 816 product categories require compulsory BIS certification. Additionally, products from other countries must also obtain BIS certification to be sold in India. Patnala further stated that BIS conducts inspections twice annually and will carry out raids based on complaints. She urged consumers to use the BIS Care app to file complaints if a product's quality control details appear online fewer than two times. Notably, a recent decision at the first state-level meeting on standardisation, chaired by the AP Chief Secretary, mandated the inclusion of Indian standards in the State government's procurement policy. K L N Prakash Rao, chairman of FSME, highlighted that the presence of a BIS mark serves as proof of a product's assured quality. 'Today, everyone's interest in quality has increased. Implementing the BIS mark has the potential to enhance product quality,' he remarked. Ventkatrao, joint director of the industries, reiterated the importance of the BIS mark for MSMEs in the state to achieve global growth. He also confirmed the availability of central and state government subsidies for BIS mark certification. Deputy director Vivek Reddy delivered a comprehensive presentation covering BIS activities, how to download Indian standards, the application process for BIS licenses, Quality Control Orders (QCOs), the BIS Care app, Standards Watch, and BIS's hand-holding initiatives for MSMEs. Over 100 industry representatives attended the meeting with the BIS Director addressing their questions during the session.
