Raids on Amazon and Flipkart Warehouses Linked to Substandard Products
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently conducted search and seizure operations at warehouses operated by Amazon and Flipkart across the country, according to a statement released by the Consumer Affairs Ministry.
This operation, the ministry explained, was aimed at addressing the distribution of substandard and uncertified products through these online platforms. The raids took place in several cities, including Lucknow, Gurugram, and Delhi.
Techvision International Identified as Key Supplier
Notably, the ministry’s statement indicated that the BIS investigations into non-certified goods, including electronics, kitchen appliances, and toys, were all traced back to a single company: Techvision International Pvt Ltd. “BIS’s investigations into multiple violations on both Amazon and Flipkart traced non-certified products back to Techvision International Pvt Ltd,” the ministry’s statement read.
Acting on this information, BIS conducted raids at two Techvision International facilities in Delhi. These raids resulted in the seizure of approximately 7,000 electric water heaters, 4,000 electric food mixers, 95 electric room heaters, and 40 gas stoves. These items lacked the required BIS certification. The non-certified products seized included brands such as Digismart, Activa, Inalsa, Cello Swift, and Butterfly, according to the ministry’s statement. The ministry further stated that BIS has launched legal action, as per the BIS Act, 2016, against the responsible entities, including the filing of two court cases against M/s Techvision International Pvt Ltd.
Amazon’s Response
In response to the BIS operations, Amazon issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to customer safety. The company stated that it takes action to maintain a safe selection for its customers, which includes removing products that do not comply with regulations. “We require sellers of all products to comply with applicable laws, regulations and Amazon policies. 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 noncompliant products, and outreach to sellers, manufacturers, and government agencies for additional information, when appropriate,” the Amazon India statement said.
Mandatory Certification
The Consumer Affairs Ministry clarified that BIS certification is mandatory for certain products due to the potential hazards they pose. Products without this certification either lack the ISI Mark or bear an invalid license number. BIS has identified that several of these non-certified products are available for sale on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Myntra, and BigBasket.
