**Summary: Bureau of Indian Standards Conducts Raids on E-Commerce Warehouses to Combat Non-Compliant Products**
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched search and seizure operations at various warehouses of major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, to address the distribution of non-compliant products.
### Who, What, When, Where, Why
– **Who**: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
– **What**: Conducted search and seizure operations
– **When**: March 7, 2023, and February 2025
– **Where**: Warehouses in Lucknow, Gurugram, and Delhi
– **Why**: To curb the distribution of non-compliant products through e-commerce platforms
### Search and Seizure Operations
BIS’s recent operations targeted warehouses in major cities:
– **Amazon Warehouse in Lucknow**:
– Seized 215 toys and 24 hand blenders lacking mandatory BIS certification.
– **Amazon Warehouse in Gurugram**:
– Seized 58 aluminum foils, 34 metallic water bottles, 25 toys, 20 hand blenders, 7 PVC cables, 2 food mixers, and 1 speaker, all found to be non-certified.
– **Flipkart Warehouse in Gurugram**:
– Seized 534 stainless steel bottles, 134 toys, and 41 uncertified speakers.
### Investigation Findings
BIS traced non-certified products back to Techvision International Pvt Ltd, leading to further raids:
– **Raids on Techvision International Facilities in Delhi**:
– Approximately 7,000 electric water heaters
– 4,000 electric food mixers
– 95 electric room heaters
– 40 gas stoves
The seized products included brands such as Digismart, Activa, Inalsa, Cello Swift, and Butterfly.
### Legal Actions and Penalties
Following the seizures, BIS initiated legal proceedings under the BIS Act, 2016, against Techvision International Pvt Ltd for violations.
– **Legal Actions**:
– Two court cases filed for violations of Sections 17(1) and 17(3).
– Additional cases are being prepared for other seizures.
– **Penalties**:
– Defaulters face fines starting at two lakh rupees, potentially increasing to ten times the value of the goods.
– Offenders may also face imprisonment of up to two years.
### Conclusion
BIS is committed to ensuring that consumer products meet safety and quality standards. How can consumers ensure they are purchasing compliant products in the future?
### FAQ
**What actions is BIS taking against non-compliant products?**
BIS is conducting raids on e-commerce warehouses, seizing non-compliant products, and filing legal cases against responsible entities under the BIS Act, 2016.
