BIS to Sue Amazon and Flipkart Over Uncertified Product Listings

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is planning to take legal action against Amazon and Flipkart for allegedly listing and selling products that do not carry the required BIS certification. Reports suggest this follows enforcement raids conducted earlier this year and will include a demand for compensation based on the value of the seized items.

March Raids at Warehouses

In March 2025, BIS teams carried out raids at Amazon and Flipkart warehouses. At Amazon’s warehouse in Chennai, over 3,000 items were seized. These included insulated food containers, flasks, metallic water bottles, ceiling fans, and toys. The value of the confiscated goods was reported to be ₹36 lakh.

At Flipkart’s facility, seized items included 286 packs of baby diapers (42 pieces per pack), 36 casserole boxes, 26 stainless steel water bottles, and 10 insulated steel bottles. The total value of goods taken from Flipkart was not shared.

Quality Control Orders

All seized items fell under India’s mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs). Under these rules, certain products cannot be manufactured, stored, or sold without BIS certification. BIS has confirmed that the goods taken during the raids did not have the required standard marks.

Legal Provisions and Penalties

Under the BIS Act, 2016, the agency has the authority to take companies to court for violations. The law allows BIS to seek compensation up to ten times the value of the uncertified goods sold. It also permits criminal proceedings, including imprisonment for up to two years. The cases will be filed in a magistrate’s court.

Read More: Flipkart Mulls to Sell Entire 6% Stake in Aditya Birla Fashion!

Other Platforms Under Scanner

As per news reports, the other platforms, such as Myntra, Meesho, and Bigbasket, may also face similar legal action. BIS claims that over 11,000 non-certified products were found across multiple platforms during recent enforcement.

Conclusion

BIS is proceeding with legal cases as part of a broader action to enforce product certification standards, particularly for everyday consumer items listed under QCOs.

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