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.| S.No. | Types of Toys | Applicable Main Standard | Applicable Secondary Standard |
| 1 | Non Electric Toys (these are ordinary toys such as rattles, dolls, puzzles, etc. which do not have any function dependent on electricity) | IS 9873 (Part 1):2019 | IS 9873 Parts 2, 3,4, 7 and 9 |
| 2 | Electric Toys (these are toys that have at least one function dependent on electricity as mentioned in the scope of IS 15644) | IS 15644:2006 | IS 9873 Parts 1, 2, 3,4, 7 and 9 |
| Step 1 | Documentation before submission of application |
| Step 2 | Submission of application with requisite documents to BIS |
| Step 3 | Scrutiny of application by BIS officials |
| Step 4 | Nomination of auditor for Audit by BIS |
| Step 5 | Audit of manufacturing premises by BIS auditor |
| Step 6 | Sample draw for independent testing |
| Step 7 | Sample testing in BIS approved laboratory |
| Step 8 | Grant of BIS license to manufacturer |
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).