BIS Raids Amazon, Flipkart Warehouses Near Chennai, Seizes Non-Certified Goods Worth Rs 36 Lakh

Two BIS teams from the Chennai Branch Office inspected the warehouses, targeting products that lacked the mandatory BIS certification mark.

Two BIS teams from the Chennai Branch Office inspected the warehouses, targeting products that lacked the mandatory BIS certification mark. (Image for representation)

Source : Pixabay

In a major crackdown on uncertified products, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) conducted surprise raids at Amazon and Flipkart warehouses in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday (March 19). The operation led to the seizure of 3,600 non-certified items worth approximately Rs 36 lakh, raising concerns over consumer safety.

Seized Goods

Two BIS teams from the Chennai Branch Office inspected the warehouses, targeting products that lacked the mandatory BIS certification mark. Seized items included: Insulated flasks, Food containers, water bottles, Ceiling fans, Toys and baby diapers and stainless steel bottles, as per a report on India Today. Officials warned that these uncertified products could pose serious health and safety risks, particularly for children.

At Flipkart’s warehouse, BIS seized baby diapers, casseroles and water bottles that did not meet the required BIS standards, reported NDTV. The total value of items confiscated from Flipkart is yet to be disclosed.

Authorities noted that e-commerce platforms are increasingly being used to sell non-certified goods, prompting stricter enforcement.

The raids in Tiruvallur are part of a larger national initiative by BIS to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Similar enforcement actions were recently conducted in Lucknow, Gurugram, and Delhi, targeting plastic bottles, food containers, and toys.

Meanwhile, neither Amazon nor Flipkart has issued a statement regarding the raids or the seized goods. 

BIS Operation

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is actively monitoring the market to ensure consumer products, including those sold on e-commerce platforms, meet required safety and quality standards. As part of this surveillance, BIS procures various consumer goods and subjects them to rigorous testing to verify compliance with prescribed norms.

The surveillance covers commonly used items such as domestic pressure cookers, hand-held blenders, food mixers, electric irons, room heaters, PVC cables, gas stoves, toys, two-wheeler helmets, switches, sockets, and aluminium foils for food packaging. Given the potential risks associated with substandard products, the Central Government has mandated BIS certification for these items in the public interest.