BIS Certification for Toys in India

BIS certification for toys is a licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards that allows a manufacturer to put the ISI mark on toys that meet the applicable Indian Standard for toy safety. It is granted after factory inspection and testing of toy samples in a BIS-recognised laboratory.

Yes, for toys covered by the Toys (Quality Control) Order issued by the Government of India. Covered toys cannot be manufactured, imported, stored or sold without the ISI mark. The scope and conditions are set in the order and its amendments, so check the current notification.

The order generally covers products designed or intended for play by children below the age of 14 years. Some categories may be excluded, and toys with electrical or electronic parts may need other checks too. Send us your product details and we will check the current position.

The safety of toys is covered by the IS 9873 series, which has parts on mechanical and physical properties, flammability, migration of certain elements and other aspects. Which parts apply depends on the type of toy, so the test plan is fixed after checking the product.

Confirm that your toy is covered, apply to BIS online with the documents and fee, undergo factory inspection and sample testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory, and receive the licence once the requirements are met. The ISI mark can be used on toys only after the licence is granted.

Typically business registration and identity papers, factory address and ownership or lease papers, details of the toys and the applicable standard, a manufacturing process flow, a list of production and testing equipment, a quality control plan, details of the authorised signatory, and test reports where required.

It depends on the toy type, factory readiness, laboratory schedules and the accuracy of the application, and it commonly takes several weeks to a few months. We cannot promise a fixed date because inspection and testing are carried out by BIS and the laboratories.

Costs include the BIS application fee, inspection charges, sample testing charges, annual licence fee and marking fee, plus our professional fee. The amounts depend on the toys and the number of models, and they can change, so we confirm the current fees before you apply.

Toys covered by the order generally need to bear the ISI mark and come from a manufacturer with a valid BIS licence. Foreign manufacturers can apply under the BIS scheme for overseas factories. Importing covered toys without certification can lead to holds at customs and penalties.

Sellers who sell covered toys must make sure the toys carry the ISI mark with a valid licence number. They do not apply for the licence themselves unless they also manufacture the toys. Marketplaces may also ask sellers for the BIS details before listing toys.

Making or selling covered toys without the mark can lead to penalties including fines and imprisonment under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, and the toys can be seized. Other consumer protection laws may also apply.

A BIS licence is granted for a fixed period chosen within the limits set by BIS, up to a maximum of five years. It must be renewed before expiry, and the manufacturer must continue to meet the standard through regular surveillance, including inspections and sample tests.