BIS Certification for Toys: Ensuring Safety, Quality, and Trust for Children’s Playtime

Toys are not just playthings—they shape the imagination, creativity, and motor skills of children. However, unsafe or poor-quality toys can pose serious health and safety risks. To safeguard young consumers, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced a mandatory BIS certification for toys, ensuring that every toy sold in the Indian market meets the highest safety and quality standards.

This certification, represented by the ISI mark for toys, has become a symbol of trust, compliance, and consumer confidence.

Understanding BIS Certification for Toys

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, is India’s national standards body. It is responsible for ensuring that products available in the market adhere to Indian quality and safety standards.

Under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, issued by the Government of India, BIS certification for toys has been made mandatory for both domestic manufacturers and importers. This regulation ensures that all toys sold in India, whether locally produced or imported, comply with Indian Standard IS 9873 (Parts 1, 2, 3, etc.) and IS 15644.

The objective is simple—to protect children from hazards such as toxic materials, sharp edges, small detachable parts, or mechanical failures.

Key Standards for BIS for Toys

BIS has defined specific standards under the ISI marking scheme for toy safety, including:

• IS 9873 (Part 1): Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties.

• IS 9873 (Part 2): Flammability of toys.

• IS 9873 (Part 3): Migration of certain elements like lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.

• IS 9873 (Part 9): Certain chemical and physical hazards.

• IS 15644: Covers electrical and electronic toys.

These standards collectively ensure that toys are free from hazardous materials, safe to handle, and durable for long-term use.

ISI Mark for Toys – A Symbol of Safety and Quality

The ISI mark for toys is the official symbol that indicates a toy has passed all BIS safety parameters and conforms to Indian Standards.
This mark is not merely a label—it represents credibility, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

Toys carrying the ISI mark are verified through rigorous testing in BIS-recognized laboratories, covering physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. The ISI certification for toys helps consumers identify safe and reliable products, giving parents confidence that their children are playing with harmless, high-quality toys.

Categories of Toys Covered under BIS Certification

The BIS certification covers both non-electric and electric toys, as defined below:

1. Non-Electric Toys:
   These include toys that operate without electricity—like dolls, puzzles, wooden toys, balls, or stuffed animals.
   They must meet IS 9873 standards for mechanical and chemical safety.

2. Electric Toys:
   These include toys that operate using batteries or electricity, such as remote-controlled cars or musical toys.
   These must comply with IS 15644 and other relevant standards for electrical safety.

Manufacturers must obtain separate licenses for each category to ensure full compliance.

BIS Certification Process for Toys

The process of obtaining BIS certification for toys involves several steps to ensure safety compliance and manufacturing quality:

1. Application Submission:
   The manufacturer or importer submits an application to BIS under the relevant scheme (Scheme I or Scheme II).

2. Factory Inspection:
   BIS officials inspect the manufacturing unit to assess product quality, production capability, and in-house testing facilities.

3. Product Testing:
   Samples of toys are tested in BIS-approved laboratories as per the applicable Indian Standards.

4. Grant of License:
   If the product meets all standards, BIS issues a license authorizing the manufacturer to use the ISI mark for toys.

5. Surveillance and Renewal:
   Periodic inspections are conducted to ensure continued compliance. The license is renewed every two years.

This process ensures that only high-quality and safe toys reach consumers, maintaining India’s reputation as a responsible market.

Role of a BIS Consultant for Toys

Navigating BIS compliance can be complex, especially for new manufacturers or foreign exporters unfamiliar with Indian standards. This is where a BIS consultant for toys plays a crucial role.

A professional BIS consultant assists in:

• Documentation & Application Preparation

• Product Standard Identification

• Testing Coordination with BIS Labs

• Handling Factory Audit Requirements

• Ensuring Smooth License Grant & Renewal

Partnering with an experienced BIS consultant saves time, reduces rejection risks, and ensures a seamless certification journey from start to finish.

Why BIS Certification for Toys is Important

The BIS certification for toys is not just a legal requirement—it’s a moral and commercial necessity. Here’s why:

• Child Safety: Prevents hazards caused by toxic materials, sharp edges, or malfunctioning electrical parts.

• Consumer Trust: Builds strong brand credibility among parents and retailers.

• Market Access: BIS certification is mandatory to sell toys in India, whether domestic or imported.

• Legal Compliance: Avoids penalties, product recalls, and bans by regulatory authorities.

• Export Advantage: BIS-marked toys gain recognition in international markets due to strict safety standards.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Selling or distributing toys without BIS certification or ISI marking is a serious offense under the BIS Act, 2016. Manufacturers or sellers may face:

• Heavy fines,

• License cancellation,

• Seizure of products, or

• Legal prosecution.

Therefore, obtaining and maintaining BIS certification is not optional—it’s mandatory and essential for market survival.

Conclusion

EVTL India is one of the leading BIS Consultant in India, helping manufacturers obtain their BIS licences hassle-free. In a market flooded with diverse toys, ensuring safety is the top priority. The BIS certification for toys acts as a shield—protecting children, empowering parents, and strengthening industry standards. The ISI mark for toys guarantees that every certified product has passed rigorous safety checks, offering peace of mind to consumers.

For manufacturers and importers, partnering with a reliable BIS consultant for toys simplifies the compliance process, ensuring timely approval and uninterrupted business growth.

Ultimately, BIS for toys is more than just a regulatory step—it’s a commitment to creating a safer, more trusted, and responsible future for the next generation.