Government Cracks Down on Amazon, Flipkart for Selling Non-Certified Goods
The Indian government has taken action against leading e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart for allegedly selling non-certified products. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently conducted raids on warehouses operated by these companies in Lucknow, Gurugram, and Delhi, seizing products that did not meet quality certification standards.
During an inspection at Amazon's warehouse in Lucknow on March 7, authorities found 215 toys and 24 hand blenders being sold without BIS certification. Similarly, a February raid at Amazon’s Gurugram warehouse uncovered 58 aluminum foils, 34 metal water bottles, 25 toys, 20 hand blenders, 7 PVC cables, 2 food mixers, and 1 speaker, all lacking certification.
At Flipkart’s warehouse in Gurugram, authorities identified 534 stainless steel water bottles, 134 toys, and 41 speakers that did not comply with required quality standards. These products were found at a facility operated by Instakart Services Private Limited.
Further investigation revealed that the uncertified products were being supplied through Techvision International Private Limited. Following this, BIS conducted raids at two separate locations operated by Techvision International in Delhi. Officials seized approximately 7,000 uncertified electric water heaters, 4,000 electric food mixers, 95 electric room heaters, and 40 gas stoves.
Products from brands such as Digismart, Activa, Inalsa, Cello Swift, and Butterfly were among those confiscated. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings under the BIS Act, 2016, against those responsible. Two cases have already been registered against Techvision International Private Limited, and more cases are under process for the other seized products.
The BIS continues its market surveillance to ensure consumer products meet safety and quality standards. As part of this initiative, commonly used items such as pressure cookers, hand blenders, food mixers, electric irons, room heaters, PVC cables, gas stoves, toys, two-wheeler helmets, switches, sockets, and aluminum foils are being tested for compliance. Given the potential risks posed by substandard products, the Indian government has made BIS certification mandatory.
