Toy Regulation in India

Toys are an important part of every child’s development. However, each year, many kids treated in hospital emergency departments for toy-related injuries. On February 26, 2020, India has issued an order for Toy safety – Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020. It regulates toys and/or materials for use in play by children under 14 years of age. This order became effective on January 1, 2021 

The purpose of the Toys (Quality Control) order is to ensure safer toys for our kids. This order is the best way to control the flow of cheap sub-standard toys in the Indian market. It mandates the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for all toys exported, imported, and manufactured in India. All the manufactures should obtain a valid certification from BIS  

The manufacturers are required to apply an online form to BIS along with the required documents. BIS will record the application and arrange for on-site verification (at the manufacturer’s factory) of the manufacturer’s competence to manufacture and test toys as per the relevant Indian Standards through one of its officers. During the audit, representative sample(s) of the toys will draw for independent testing in one of the BIS recognized labs. If the results of on-site verification and laboratory testing are satisfactory, BIS will grant a license to the manufacturer   

For BIS certification, toys have been classified into the following 2 types:  

While applying for a BIS license, Manufacturers may opt for one of the primary standards based on the type of product for which the license is required. The single license cannot entertain multiple toy range. Manufacturers are required to avail of separate licenses for each product type

1. 1. Manufacturers having several units across the state or country have to make a separate application for each unit to obtain a BIS license
2. 2. The domestic manufacturer needs to visit (www.manakonline.in) to apply for BIS license issuance 
3. 3. The foreign manufacturer must visit www.bis.gov.in and download the application from the BIS license. After completing the form, the manufacturers are required to submit the same to the BIS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) located in Manakalaya, BIS HQ, New Delhi 

Exemptions – The Amendment Order 2020, exempts goods manufactured & sold by artisans registered with Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). Also, exempts products registered as Geographical Indications (GI) from Indian Toy Standards & compulsory use of Standard Mark license from Bureau as per Scheme 1 of Schedule-II of BIS (CA) Regulations, 2018

Reference: https://bis.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/toys-faqs.pdf