New Delhi – The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) has raided warehouses of several establishments including Amazon and Flipkart, over the sale of uncertified products through online websites. Thousands of consumer products without BSI certificate were seized during this action. This information was given by Ministry of Consumer Affairs on 15thMarch.
On 7thMarch the BIS team raided an Amazon warehouse in Lucknow (UP). They seized 215 toys and 24 hand blenders without certificate. In February, 58 aluminium foils, 34 metal water bottles, 25 toys, 20 hand blenders, 7 PVC cables, 2 food mixers and 1 speaker were seized from Amazon warehouse in Gurugram, Harayana.
From Flipkart warehouse, more than 500 bottles were seized.
The BIS also raided a Flipkart warehouse run by Instacart Services Pvt. Ltd. A total of 534 stainless steel vacuum insulated bottles, 134 toys and 41 speakers were seized.
An estimated 7000 electric water heaters, 4000 electric food mixers, 95 electric room heaters and 40 gas stoves were seized from two godowns in Delhi.
Law has a provision of stringent sentence and heavy fine for such crimes.
Under the BIS Act, such offence gets a fine of Rs 2 lakhs which can increase to10 times the price of uncertified product. In case of serious offence there can be 2 years imprisonment.
BIS has issued a notice to e-commerce establishments.
Amazon, Flipkart, Meeshaw, Myntra, Big Basket have been issued notices to include only BIS certified products in their list of products for sale.