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BIS Certification for Toys

The Government of India has issued the Toys Quality Control Order (QCO) 2020 under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016. This special quality control regulation requires that children's toys comply with 7 Indian Toy Safety Standards and bear the ISI mark under mandatory BIS certification for toys scheme.

BIS certification for toys- Overview, Procedure, Documents, Govt. Fee

As per the Toys (Quality Control) order, 2020 issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, DPIIT, toy manufacturing units, including foreign manufacturing units exporting toys to India, are mandatory to obtain BIS certification for toys as per Schedule I and Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made electric and non-electric toys mandatory to bear the ISI mark. They cannot be manufactured, sold, imported, or distributed in the Indian market without bearing the ISI mark.

Failure to comply with these regulations may result in serious consequences, including criminal liability, possible imprisonment, and heavy fines. The directive, issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, DPIIT, aims to prevent the proliferation of inferior toys in the market. The ISI mark on toys ensures child safety requirements, including physical and mechanical properties, chemical properties, and flammability. Toys must not contain dangerous chemicals such as lead, phthalates, or other toxic substances that can harm children.

Testing parameters for BIS certification for toys

IS 9873 (Part 1): 2019	Physical and Mechanical Safety: This includes making sure the toy doesn’t pose a choking hazard, has no sharp points or corners that could injure a child, and has enough space to prevent fingers from getting pinched.
IS 9873 (Part 2): 2017	Flammability: Tests are done to determine if the toy is flammable and could cause burns to a child.
IS 9873 (Part 3): 2017	Migration of Certain Elements: Maximum acceptable levels of toxic substances like cadmium, mercury, Antimony, Chromium, Arsenic, etc.
IS 9873 (Part 4): 2016	Safety of Swings, Slides, and Similar Activity Toys for Indoor and Outdoor Family Domestic Use
IS 9873 (Part 7): 2017	Safety requirements for finger paints
IS 9873 (Part 9): 2017	Certain Phthalates Esters in Toys and Children’s Products- Maximum acceptable levels of phthalates
IS 15644: 2006	Electrical Safety: Electrical toys are tested to ensure they comply with electrical safety standards and are reliable.

Documents required for BIS certification for toys:

Company incorporation certificate
GST and MSME certificate
Brand name or trademark registration
Manufacturing Flow Chart
Plant Layout
List of the machinery and raw materials
Rent agreement or lease deed, or ownership deed, etc.
Images of the products
Aadhar card and qualification proof of the Quality control person
Test report of the products from BIS-approved labs.
List of the testing equipment (exempted for micro unit as per MSME)

Govt. Fee to obtain BIS registration for toys in India

For non-electric toys:

Application fee: 1,000/-INR
Annual fee: 1,000/-INR
BIS inspection fee: 7,000/-INR
Minimum marking fee: Rs. 4.5 per unit for all units with a minimum marking fee of Rs. 98000 for Large Scale, Rs. 79000 for Medium Scale, Rs. 79000 for Small Scale, and Rs. 59000 for Micro Scale Enterprises units (1 unit 1000 pcs.)
BIS testing fee: as per actual

For Electric toys:

Application fee: 1,000/-INR
Annual fee: 1,000/-INR
Annual fee: 1,000/-INR
BIS inspection fee: 7,000/-INR
Minimum marking fee: Rs. 80 per unit for all units with a minimum marking fee of Rs. 146000 for Large Scale, Rs. 117000 for Medium Scale, Rs. 117000 for Small Scale, and Rs. 88000 for Micro Scale Enterprises units (1 unit 1000 pcs.)
BIS testing fee: as per actual

Concession in Govt. Fee for new startups and MSME units:

Concession in the minimum marking fee (Govt. Fee) for new startups and MSME units.

Validity of the BIS License:

365 days

Step-by-step procedure to apply BIS certification for toys:

Pre-testing of the toys from a third-party laboratory approved by BIS.
Fill out the application along with the requisite documents.
Payment of the government fee.
Scrutiny of the application.
Factory inspection will be conducted by the BIS officer.
During factory inspection, some samples will be sealed by the BIS officer.
Submission of the samples to the concerned BIS lab for further testing.
Grant of the BIS License to the manufacturer.

BIS License delivery period:

30 to 45 days

Important points related to BIS certification for toys:

Installation of the in-house testing lab is exempted for micro units having a turnover of less than 5 crore for 12 months for assembling units and 36 months for manufacturing units from the date of grant of the BIS on toys.
BIS certification for toys is only granted to manufacturers, not traders or retailers involved in marketing or distribution. Manufacturers of electric and non-electric toys must apply for BIS certification separately for each type.
Toy manufacturers operating in multiple locations must apply for a BIS License for toys for each production unit. Assembling units can also apply for a BIS License for toys based on the job work agreement.

Benefits of BIS certification for toys:

Obtaining a BIS certification for toys allows transparent and unhindered market access for manufacturers by complying with legal requirements and avoiding restrictions and penalties.
BIS-certified toys give parents more confidence in their purchasing decisions regarding their children’s safety. Moreover, compliance management helps improve a company’s brand reputation and boost customer loyalty.
If manufacturers and importers adhere to BIS certification guidelines, safe and quality products will be regulated in the Indian market. This will help promote a fair and transparent economy in which trustworthy products are distributed and safety is improved.
Complying with BIS regulations and having BIS registration for toys helps companies increase sales and significantly boost growth and productivity. By adhering to BIS standards, manufacturers can easily ensure compliance and focus on improving their credibility in the market.
Manufacturers improve their production processes and focus on quality to ensure compliance with BIS standards. This increases market acceptance and leads to large-scale production.
When companies comply with BIS standards, it becomes easier for them to enter international markets. They have access to growing market opportunities and the global economy at large.
Complying with BIS regulations reduces legal risks such as fines and penalties, which helps promote the long-term sustainability of your business.
Complying with regulations and maintaining market leadership gives manufacturers and importers a competitive advantage, which improves their reputation in the market and keeps them always one step ahead.

Conclusion:

To summarize, obtaining a BIS License is a complex and time-consuming process, and involves several crucial steps for any business unit, such as the development of toys as per the relevant Indian Standards, preparation of documents, and on-site factory verification of the manufacturer’s competence to manufacture and test toys. Therefore, hiring a consultant with expertise in the BIS licensing process is advised.

Max Solution Consulting Services assists in developing toys as per BIS standards and documentation support, and helps you understand the specific requirements of the ISI certification process to ensure your application is complete and meets all required standards. Our team of experts has in-depth knowledge of the regulatory environment, government policies and procedures, and the roles of various government agencies.