The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has intensified its crackdown on substandard products sold through e-commerce platforms, conducting major raids at warehouses linked to Amazon and Flipkart in Delhi. The enforcement action targeted items that either lacked the mandatory ISI mark or carried counterfeit labels, reinforcing India’s commitment to consumer safety and regulatory compliance.

Raids Conducted at Amazon and Flipkart Warehouses

On March 19, BIS officials executed a search-and-seizure operation at Amazon Sellers Pvt. Limited’s warehouse located in the Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area. During the raid, authorities confiscated over 3,500 products, including water geysers, food mixers, and electrical appliances. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs reported that these goods either did not have the required ISI certification or carried fake labels. The estimated value of the seized products stands at approximately ₹70 lakh.

On the same day, a separate raid took place at Instakart Services Pvt. Ltd, a Flipkart subsidiary, in Tri Nagar. Officials seized nearly 590 pairs of sports shoes worth around ₹6 lakh, which lacked the mandatory ISI mark and proper manufacturing details. This marks the second enforcement action by BIS against Amazon and Flipkart this month, following an earlier operation on March 7.

Regulatory Crackdown Amid Trade Negotiations

These enforcement actions coincide with high-level trade negotiations between India and the United States regarding a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). With discussions gaining momentum, India’s rigorous implementation of quality control regulations highlights its commitment to consumer protection and international trade standards. The timing of these raids is particularly significant, as both Amazon and Flipkart operate under American parent companies.

Over the past month, BIS has carried out similar operations in multiple cities, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Lucknow and Sriperumbudur. These actions have targeted non-compliant products violating India's mandatory certification norms.

E-Commerce Platforms Not Exempt from Compliance

Responding to claims by e-commerce platforms that they function as marketplaces rather than inventory holders, a senior government official clarified that such platforms are still required to comply with Indian regulations. “All entities involved in the sale and distribution of products must adhere to Indian laws. The recent enforcement actions have been conducted strictly within legal provisions,” the official stated.

Currently, 769 products in India fall under compulsory certification. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has reiterated that manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, or storing these goods without a valid BIS licence or certificate of compliance is strictly prohibited. Violators face severe penalties under the BIS Act, 2016, which include fines, imprisonment, or both.

Previous Raids and Ongoing Inspections

During a previous raid on March 7 at a Flipkart warehouse in Gurgaon, BIS officials seized 534 uncertified stainless-steel vacuum-insulated bottles, 134 toys, and 41 speakers. Authorities have also cracked down on various other non-compliant products in recent months, including domestic pressure cookers, handheld blenders, electric irons, room heaters, PVC cables, gas stoves, toys, two-wheeler helmets, electrical switches, sockets, and aluminium foil used for food packaging.

The BIS’s intensified efforts to eliminate counterfeit and uncertified products from the market underline the government’s strict stance on consumer safety. As regulatory scrutiny increases, e-commerce platforms are expected to enforce stricter quality checks to ensure compliance with Indian standards. The recent raids serve as a warning that violations of certification norms will not be tolerated, reinforcing India’s efforts to uphold global trade standards and safeguard consumers.