On January 12th, 2023, over 18,500 toys were seized from retail stores, mainly from Mukesh Ambani-owned Hamleys in India, for lack of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) quality mark. BIS is a national standards organization in India that sets standards for products, including toys. The toys seized were found to be non-compliant with the safety standards set by BIS and therefore were deemed unsafe for children.
This toy seizure is part of a larger crackdown by the Indian government on products that do not meet quality standards, as the country looks to improve consumer protection and ensure the safety of its citizens. The seized toys were imported from China are of substandard materials, with sharp edges and small parts that posed a choking hazard for children.
This is not the first time toys have been seized in India for lack of BIS quality mark. In the past, there have been similar cases of toy seizures and seizures of other products such as electrical goods that did not meet safety standards. However, the recent seizure of 18,500 toys from the Mukesh Ambani-owned Hamleys is significant, as it highlights the scale of the problem and the need for stricter enforcement of quality standards in the country.
The Indian government has taken steps to improve consumer protection and ensure the safety of products in the country. In addition to the toy seizures, the government has also set up a consumer protection fund to help consumers harmed by faulty products. The government has also announced plans to increase the number of BIS-approved laboratories, to improve testing and certification of products.
Despite the government’s efforts, it is clear that there is still a long way to go in ensuring that all products in India meet safety standards. The toy seizure is a reminder that more needs to be done to protect consumers and ensure the safety of products. The government needs to continue to crack down on non-compliant products, and for manufacturers and retailers to take greater responsibility for ensuring that the products they sell meet safety standards. Consumers also have a role to play, by being vigilant and checking for quality marks before purchasing products.
The recent seizure of over 18,500 toys in India for lack of BIS quality mark highlights the scale of the problem of non-compliant products in the country and the need for stricter enforcement of quality standards. The Indian government has taken steps to improve consumer protection and ensure the safety of products, but more needs to be done. Manufacturers and retailers are also responsible for ensuring that the products they sell meet safety standards, and consumers need to be vigilant and check for quality marks before purchasing products.
