Government market surveillance found that nearly 42% of tested products sold on e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms in FY 2024-25 lacked mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification, according to a written reply tabled in the Lok Sabha on February 11, 2026, by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs B.L. Verma.
Question asked:
- whether repeated violations in online sales continue despite existing laws and if so, the details of enforcement failures thereof and if not, the reasons for regulatory deterrence have clearly collapsed;
- whether e-commerce platforms knowingly allowed the sale of non-BIS and non-ISI certified products and if so, the details of action taken against the platforms thereof and if not, the reasons for liability being evaded;
- whether marketplace immunity is being misused to shield platforms from accountability and if so, the details of corrective measures thereof and if not, the reasons why platforms are treated differently from offline sellers;
- whether the violations under Consumer Protection and Legal Metrology laws were detected online and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons why transparent reporting is absent; and
- whether mandatory pre-listing verification of safety certifications is not enforced and if so, the details of constraints thereof and if not, the reasons why consumer safety is compromised for platform convenience?
Out of 344 samples procured under various Quality Control Orders, 142 lacked valid BIS certification. This finding was provided in response to MP Vijayakumar alias Vijay Vasanth’s question regarding whether e-commerce platforms knowingly allowed the sale of non-BIS and non-ISI certified goods, and if “marketplace immunity” was shielding these platforms from accountability.
Warehouse Raids Concentrated at Amazon and Flipkart Units: Since FY 2024-25, authorities have conducted search-and-seizure operations at 22 e-commerce warehouses nationwide. Of these, 14 involved Amazon, seven involved Instakart (Flipkart’s supply chain operator), and one involved Blinkit.
By state, three operations each took place in Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra; two each in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu; and one each in Gujarat, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The government stated that when a non-compliant product is identified through consumer complaints or market surveillance, the platform is asked to delist the item. This is followed by a physical inspection of the seller’s premises and, if necessary, search and seizure. Legal action under the BIS Act, 2016 is then initiated against the seller, with the e-commerce platform also named as a party.
Penalties imposed over illegal walkie-talkie sales: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) identified over 16,970 walkie-talkie listings across platforms that violated the permitted 446.0–446.2 MHz frequency band. The regulator stated these devices could mislead consumers regarding their legal status and disrupt communication networks for law enforcement and emergency services.
The CCPA imposed penalties of Rs 10 lakh each on Meesho, Flipkart, Amazon, and Meta Platforms Inc., and Rs 1 lakh each on Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro, and MaskMan Toys for these violations.
Other enforcement actions cited: The reply listed additional CCPA interventions:
- Action was taken against the sale of domestic pressure cookers that did not meet compulsory BIS standards.
- A total of 13,118 listings of car seat belt alarm-stopper clips were delisted from major platforms. The CCPA said these clips silence the seat belt warning beep, compromising consumer safety.
- Sellers were directed to recall 515 toys sold in violation of the mandatory Quality Control Order for toys.
Legal metrology violations: Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, sellers are required to declare the net quantity, MRP, manufacturer’s or importer’s address, and country of origin. The Department of Consumer Affairs issued 948 notices for e-commerce-related violations between 2020 and January 30, 2026. These actions resulted in the recovery of Rs 1.03 crore under Section 48 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
Consumer Complaints Rising: Grievances registered on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) in the e-commerce sector rose over the past three years:
| Year | Grievances Registered |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4,46,133 |
| 2024 | 4,40,187 |
| 2025 | 5,11,196 |
Between April 25, 2025 and January 31, 2026, NCH facilitated refunds totaling approximately Rs 36.80 crore to consumers for e-commerce grievances. Additionally, 1,185 companies have voluntarily joined NCH’s “Convergence” programme to address complaints directly.
Dark Patterns: CCPA’s “Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023,” issued on November 30, 2023, list 13 specified dark patterns: false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription trap, interface interference, bait and switch, drip pricing, disguised advertisements, nagging, trick wording, SaaS billing and rogue malware.
After the June 5, 2025 advisory, platforms were instructed to complete self-audits within three months and submit declarations confirming they did not use dark patterns. Twenty-eight platforms complied, including Flipkart, Myntra, Meesho, Zepto, Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Tata 1mg, Ixigo, MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Walmart India, Big Basket, ShopClues, PharmEasy, Duroflex, Jockey (Page Industries), William Penn, Curaden India, eight Reliance Retail-owned brands (JioMart, Ajio, Netmeds, Tira Beauty, Reliance Digital, Hamleys, MilBasket, Reliance Jewels), and CP Wholesale India (Lots). Amazon did not submit a declaration.
Legal Framework Cited: The government’s response rested on the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020, which the Department of Consumer Affairs says outline the responsibilities and liabilities of marketplace and inventory e-commerce entities, including grievance redressal.
Under Section 21(2) of the Act, the CCPA may fine manufacturers or endorsers up to Rs 10 lakh for false or misleading advertisements. The penalty can increase to Rs 50 lakh for repeat offences. The reply also noted that several companies, including Tata Digital, Tata 1mg, BigBasket, Tata Cliq, Chroma, Swiggy, Ola, Zomato, Ajio, JioMart, Netmeds, and Meesho, have signed a “Safety Pledge”. This is a voluntary commitment to ensure product safety.
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