BIS Raids in Surat Uncover Illicit Toy Sales

Surat :  In a decisive move to ensure the safety and standardization of toys sold in the market, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Wednesday conducted raids on two toy shops in Surat, uncovering a significant number of toys being sold without the mandatory ISI mark. The raids were part of an ongoing effort to crack down on the manufacture, sale, and storage of toys without a valid BIS license, which is required by law.

Rajeshwar Toy World, located on Gopipura Main Road, and Nataraj Games and Toys in Chauta Bazaar were the targets of these raids. BIS officials seized approximately 9,400 toys from both shops, with 1,700 toys confiscated from Rajeshwar Toy World and about 7,700 from Nataraj Games and Toys. The absence of ISI marks on these toys indicates that they were manufactured without adhering to the safety standards mandated by BIS, posing potential risks to children.

“We have initiated legal action against the accused shopkeepers for violating the BIS Act,” stated a BIS official. “Our aim is to protect consumers, especially children, from unsafe and substandard products.”

The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through its order dated February 25, 2020, has made it mandatory for all toys intended for children below 14 years of age to bear the ISI mark starting from January 1, 2021. This regulation ensures that toys meet specific safety and quality standards. Violations of this mandate can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to two years, a minimum fine of Rs. 2 lakh, or both.

Unscrupulous manufacturers and traders often bypass these regulations, manufacturing and selling toys without the necessary BIS certification to save costs and deceive consumers. To combat this, BIS periodically conducts intelligence-based raids to identify and eliminate such fraudulent activities. These efforts are crucial in mitigating potential safety risks associated with the use of uncertified toys.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any instances of misuse of BIS certification or sale of non-ISI marked products,” said MSK Singh, Senior Director and President of the BIS Surat branch office. “Information can be provided confidentially, and we assure complete privacy for informants.”

Individuals with information about the misuse of BIS certificates or the sale of uncertified products can contact the BIS Surat Branch Office at the following:

Address: 1st Floor, Doorsanchar Bhawan, Karimabad Admin Building, Ghoddod Road, Surat

Phone: 0261-2990071, 2991171, 2992271, 2990690

Email: subo-bis@bis.gov.in or cmed@bis.gov.in