BIS Raids Amazon, Flipkart Warehouses Over Non-Compliant Products

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently carried out search and seizure operations at several warehouse locations of major e‑commerce platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart, in cities like Lucknow, Gurugram and Delhi to curb the sale of non‑compliant products.

In a statement, BIS reported that during a raid at an Amazon warehouse in Lucknow on March 7, 2025, officials discovered 24 hand blenders and 215 toys lacking the mandatory BIS certification. Similarly, during a February raid at an Amazon warehouse in Gurugram, BIS found 58 aluminium foils, 34 metallic water bottles, 25 toys, 20 hand blenders, seven PVC cables, two food mixers and one speaker that failed to meet compliance standards.

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The Seizures

Concerns over consumer safety emerged after the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seized thousands of non‑compliant items lacking the required BIS certification. The certifying body announced that it has filed a lawsuit under the BIS Act of 2016 to hold the responsible parties accountable.

As per the Act, defaulters may face fines up to 10 times the value of the non‑compliant products sold or offered for sale, with a minimum penalty of INR 2 lakh. Violators may also face imprisonment for up to two years.

During a raid at a Flipkart warehouse in Gurugram, operated by Instakart Services Pvt Ltd, BIS seized 534 stainless steel bottles, 134 toys and 41 uncertified speakers.

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Amazon’s Statement

Amazon responded by stating that all sellers must adhere to applicable laws, regulations and Amazon's internal standards.

"We ensure our selection meets industry‑accepted standards, and we develop innovative tools to prevent unsafe products from being listed. We take actions to maintain a safe selection for our customers, including removing non‑compliant products and reaching out to sellers, manufacturers and government agencies for additional information when appropriate,” the company said.

The recent seizures highlight ongoing concerns about consumer safety, as uncertified products continue to be sold online despite mandatory certification requirements for items like pressure cookers, electrical appliances and children's toys. BIS stressed that it will continue its market surveillance efforts to protect consumer interests and enforce safety regulations.