BIS Raids E-commerce Warehouses, Seizes Substandard Products
In a sweeping crackdown on substandard and non-compliant products, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) carried out a 15-hour-long raid on March 19 at a major warehouse in Delhi’s Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area. The warehouse, used by leading e-commerce platforms, was found to be storing over 3,500 electrical appliances, including geysers and food mixers, either lacking the mandatory ISI certification or carrying counterfeit ISI marks. The estimated value of the seized goods stands at ₹70 lakh.
Seizure of Non-Compliant Sports Footwear
In a parallel operation, BIS officials raided another facility in Trinagar, Delhi. Here, nearly 590 pairs of sports footwear were seized for being stocked without ISI certification and missing crucial labeling information such as the manufacturing date. The total value of the seized footwear is estimated at ₹6 lakh. Both raids reflect growing concern over the unchecked circulation of uncertified products being funneled through online retail platforms.
Nationwide Enforcement of Quality Standards
These raids are part of a larger, ongoing nationwide drive by BIS to uphold product safety standards and protect consumers from potentially unsafe or low-quality goods. Over the past month, similar operations have been conducted across cities including Gurugram, Faridabad, Lucknow, and Sriperumbudur. Products identified under 769 categories require mandatory ISI certification before being manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold. Any breach of these norms—whether through e-commerce or offline channels—is a punishable offense under existing consumer protection laws.
Implications for E-commerce Platforms
The BIS crackdown serves as a strong warning to online marketplaces to take greater accountability for products sold through their platforms. E-commerce companies are now under increased pressure to verify that sellers comply with national safety and quality regulations. This move also reinforces the necessity of stringent checks on listings to prevent the distribution of counterfeit or uncertified goods.
With consumer safety at the forefront, BIS has urged the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious or uncertified products. The agency’s continued efforts aim to create a safer and more reliable marketplace for all.
