CCPA fines Flipkart Rs 5 lakh over sale of non-BIS-compliant toys

NEW DELHI: When it comes to toys, the CCPA wants marketplaces to play it safe. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a Rs 5 lakh penalty on Flipkart for allowing toys that did not meet mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requirements to be listed and sold on its platform, according to Bar and Bench.

The regulator found that non-compliant toys were being offered to consumers despite BIS certification being mandatory for toys sold in India. It has also directed Flipkart to ensure that such products are not listed, advertised or sold on the platform in future.

Under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, toys meant for children below 14 years must comply with prescribed Indian safety standards and carry the BIS Standard Mark. The requirement has been mandatory since 1 January 2021.

The CCPA said allowing toys without the required certification to be sold online could pose a serious safety risk to children. It also pointed to the absence of information such as BIS certification and the ISI mark, which can leave consumers without key information when making purchasing decisions.

The regulator’s order also underlines a broader expectation from online marketplaces. Platforms that list, host, advertise or facilitate the sale of regulated products are expected to carry out due diligence and ensure that sellers and products comply with applicable laws.

The CCPA treated the listing of non-BIS-compliant toys as an unfair trade practice and misleading representation of product quality, putting the spotlight on the responsibility of marketplaces beyond simply providing a digital shelf to sellers.

Along with the Rs 5 lakh fine, Flipkart has been directed to prevent non-compliant toys from being listed or offered for sale going forward. The platform has also been asked to prominently display the contact details of its grievance officer and related information so consumers can raise complaints.

Flipkart has been given 15 days to deposit the penalty and submit a compliance report to the authority.

The action comes amid growing scrutiny of online marketplaces over products that fall short of compulsory safety standards. In 2025, BIS conducted searches at warehouses linked to major e-commerce platforms and found non-certified products, including toys, being offered for online sale.

The CCPA has previously acted against other e-commerce players over non-compliant toys, signalling a wider enforcement push around products covered by mandatory safety requirements.

For parents shopping online, the episode offers a simple takeaway: before a toy makes it into the cart, checking for the BIS certification and ISI mark could be just as important as checking the price and the packaging.