Why is BIS certification essential for toys in India?

Play inherently carries risks, which are acceptable and even beneficial for child development. However, when it comes to external factors like toys, ensuring safety is crucial to prevent harm to children. Whether toys are made locally or imported, the government has taken proactive measures by mandating BIS certification for companies manufacturing toys intended for children under 14 years old.

As per the Toys (Quality Control) Order 2020, BIS certification is compulsory for all toys intended for children under 14 years old. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requires both electric and non-electric toys to display the ISI mark, and toys lacking this mark are prohibited from being sold in the country. Non-compliance can lead to severe consequences, including criminal liability with potential imprisonment and substantial fines. This directive, issued by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, aims to safeguard against the circulation of substandard toys in the market.

Under this order, BIS has commenced licensing toy manufacturers to use the BIS standard mark in accordance with Schemes I and Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. This requirement applies uniformly to all imported toys into India, mandating that foreign manufacturers must also obtain BIS certification, as required for all toy manufacturers operating within India.

PROCDURE AND METHODS TO GET BIS CERTIFICATION FOR TOYS

Initially, multiple Indian standards apply to each toy. However, to streamline the process for manufacturers, the ministry has opted to categorize them into two types for BIS toy licensing.

Each type will have one primary standard for which a license will be issued, while secondary standards will require additional testing.

PROCESS OF BIS CERTIFICATION FOR TOYS

Here is the standard procedure for obtaining BIS certification for toys:

• 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

Essential Requirements for BIS Certification for Toys:

• To streamline the process of BIS certification for toy imports or domestic manufacturing, applicants may select one of the specified standards based on the type of toy. Samples will be tested by BIS to ensure compliance with both the primary standard and applicable secondary standards, such as IS 9873 parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 9. Toys must meet the requirements of their respective standards.

• If seeking BIS certification for various types of toys (e.g., non-electrical and electrical), separate applications must be submitted for each type.

• According to Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, a manufacturer of toys with operations across multiple locations must apply separately for each manufacturing unit to obtain a license to use the ISI Mark. This requirement applies regardless of whether the manufacturer is an importer or operates domestically.

• If a toy manufacturer is solely engaged in marketing and distribution rather than manufacturing, this order does not apply to their specific business activities. According to Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, BIS certification for toys is only granted to manufacturers themselves, not to entities involved solely in marketing and distribution.

Documents Required for BIS Certification of Toys

These are the essential documents required for BIS certification of toys:

• 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 additional information as per BIS standards

QUALITY CONTROL ORDER FOR TOYS

Testing Facility Requirements According to Indian Standards

Navigating this topic can be challenging for manufacturers due to the extensive Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT), which specifies that certain testing and inspection procedures must be conducted within their own in-house testing facilities.

• Manufacturers producing non-electrical toys must ensure their testing facilities comply with IS 9873 (Part 1):2019.

• Manufacturers producing electrical toys must ensure their testing facilities meet the requirements of IS 15644:2006.

• The mandatory BIS Certification for toys also includes the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT), which specifies the frequency of conducting various tests.

• The SIT also specifies tests that do not require in-house facilities and can be subcontracted to BIS Recognized/Certified Labs.

• The notification mandating BIS Certification for Toys in India specifies that products sold by Artisans registered with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) are exempt from this order.

COST OF BIS CERTIFICATION FOR TOYS

Here are the points detailing the cost of BIS certification for toys:

1. Application Fee for BIS Certification of Toys: Rs 1000/- to be paid with each license application.

2. Annual License Fee: Rs 1000/- payable upon license issuance and annually upon renewal.

3. Renewal Application Fee for BIS Certification of Toys: Rs 1000/- due after the first year at license renewal, and subsequently with each renewal application.

4. Annual Marking Fee (50% of minimum fee payable upon application, remainder upon license issuance, and annually with each renewal application).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)