BIS Seizes 2,783 Uncertified Products From Amazon

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Hyderabad Branch Office, today conducted a search and seizure operation at an Amazon warehouse in Airport City, Shamshabad, and discovered violations of the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016.

During the raid, a total of 2,783 consumer goods - including 150 smartwatches, 15 electric water heaters, 30 CCTV cameras, 16 domestic electric food mixers, 10 domestic pressure cookers, 1,937 stainless steel water bottles, 326 wireless earbuds, 170 mobile chargers, and 90 electric and non-electric toys - were found stored and offered for sale without the mandatory BIS certification.

These products fell under the purview of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Government of India, making BIS certification compulsory. The products are estimated to be worth more than Rs 50 lakh.

The officials said that that constituted a clear violation of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, which prohibited the sale, storage or distribution of goods covered under QCOs without appropriate BIS certification. The Act prescribes penalties, including imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of not less than Rs 2 lakh for the first offence, and not less than Rs 5 lakh for subsequent offences, which could extend up to ten times the value of the goods.