WHY BIS CERTIFICATION IS MANDATORY FOR TOYS IN INDIA?

Play is not risk-free and nor should it be but if we talk about external factors like toys, it seems to be crucial to ensure that there should be no harm to children playing with one of the toys either if it is domestically manufactured or imported from other countries. The government has taken a step forward in this regard, making BIS certification mandatory for companies producing toys for children under the age of 14.

According to Toys (Quality Control) Order 2020, BIS certification is mandatory for all toys for children under the age of 14. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has mandated that all-electric and non-electric toys bear the ISI mark, and toys without an ISI mark are not permitted to be sold in the country. Failure to do so will result in criminal liability, including imprisonment and huge fines. This order was issued by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry to prevent the sale of low-quality toys on the market.

As per this order, BIS initiated the process of granting licenses to toy manufacturers to use the BIS standard mark in as per Schemes I and Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. This Order also equally applies to all toys being imported into India, and that the Foreign Manufacturer must also obtain a valid certification from BIS, as is mandatory for all the manufacturers of toys in India.

THE PROCEDURE AND METHODS TO OBTAIN BIS CERTIFICATION FOR TOYS

First of all, there is more than one Indian standard applicable to each toy, but to make the process simpler for the manufacturers, the ministry has decided to classify them into two types for BIS license for Toys.

For each type, one primary standard will be applied against which a licence will be given, and secondary standards will be applied against which additional testing may be required.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF BIS CERTIFICATION FOR TOYS:

• To increase the efficiency and ease for either BIS Certification for Import of Toys or the BIS for domestic toys manufacturers who are applying may choose one of the above standards based on the type of the toy. However, the samples going to be tested by BIS for conformity to the primary standard and secondary standards which are applicable i.e. IS 9873 parts 1,2,3,4,7, and 9, etc. Toys shall conform to requirements of corresponding Standard.
• In case the BIS Certificate for Toys is required for more than one type of toy (i.e. non-electrical and electrical), separate applications should be made for each type.
• If a manufacturer of toys has manufacturing units operating from different locations than as per the provision of Scheme-I of Schedule-II of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulation, 2018, license to use or apply a ISI Mark, only be granted by BIS for specific manufacturing premises. That means to say that for each manufacturing premises/unit the manufacturer has to apply separately, does not matter if the manufacturer willing to obtain BIS Mark for Toys is an importer or Domestic.
• Whereas if a manufacturer of toys is only involved in marketing and distribution not a manufacturer of toys then the order does not apply to the particular practice. As per the provisions of Scheme-I of Schedule-II of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, the applying party for BIS Certification for toys only be given to the manufacturer.

DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR BIS CERTIFICATION OF TOYS

The Following essential documents are required for toys BIS Certification:

• Factory Registration Documents & information
• Identity proof
• Manufacturing process flow chart
• Details of Authorized Signatory and other related documents.
• Adequate testing facilities
• Quality Control Parameters and their records
• Laboratory testing report and other information as per BIS norm

Quality Control Order FOR TOYS

Requirements Of Testing Facilities According To Indian Standards

This topic might be a bit tricky for the manufacturers because there is a vast Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) which defines that there are some testing and Inspection processes that have to be done in the in-house testing facilities.

• If the manufacturer is making non-electrical toys, then testing facilities must fulfill the requirement of IS 9873 (part1):2019.
• If the manufacturer is making electrical toys, then the testing facilities must fulfill the requirements of IS 15644:2006.
• The order which says BIS Certification for toys is mandatory has also included the Scheme of Inspection and Testing, which defines the frequency of conducting the various tests.
• The SIT also specified those tests for which in-house facilities are not necessary, and these tests can be subcontracted to BIS Recognized/Certified Labs.
• In the notification regarding mandatory BIS Certification for Toys in India, it has been provided that nothing in this order will apply on products sold by Artisans registered with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).

Cost of BIS Certification for toys:

The Following Points Explains the Bis Certification cost for Toys:

1. Application for BIS Certification of Toys Fees: Rs 1000/- payable with each application for grant of license
2. Annual License Fee: Rs 1000/- payable at the stage of grant of license and each year of operation of license at the stage of renewal of license
3. Renewal Application for BIS Certification of Toys Fee: Rs 1000/- payable after one year at the stage of renewal of license and thereafter with each renewal application.
4. Annual Marking Fee (50% of minimum marking fee payable at the stage of an application, remaining at the stage of grant of license. Subsequently payable with each renewal application for each year).

Conclusion:

At last, it is mandatory for toy importers and manufacturers to obtain a BIS certificate/licence in order to use the standard ISI mark for toys. Toys without the ISI mark is not permitted to be sold in the country.

We, Aleph INDIA, have been serving the industry as a single-window operator for all product regulatory compliance. With our extensive knowledge and experience, we can assist importers and manufacturers in meeting all requirements and getting BIS licence so that they can easily import or sell their products in the Indian market and increase their profits.