Central Consumer Protection Authority penalises ecommerce platform over Toys (Quality Control) Order breach; issues notices to Amazon and Flipkart
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined Snapdeal Rs 5 lakh for listing and selling toys that lacked mandatory certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in violation of the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020.
The penalty follows a final order issued against Snapdeal’s parent entity, Ace Vector Limited, after the regulator took suo-motu cognisance of the matter, CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare, according to media reports.
Khare said notices have also been served on other online marketplaces, including Amazon and Flipkart, along with certain sellers such as Stallion Trading Company and Electronics Bazar Store.
In addition to the financial penalty, the authority has directed Snapdeal to prevent the listing, hosting or promotion of toys that do not meet BIS standards. It has also been instructed to prominently display customer care contact details and the particulars of its Grievance Officer to ensure timely redressal of complaints.
The Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 came into force on January 1, 2021, making BIS approval compulsory for all toys sold in India.
According to the regulator’s findings, uncertified toys continued to be available on the platform despite claims of removal, with some listings seen as recently as December 2025. The company earned Rs 41,032 in fees from sales carried out by two identified sellers, including Stallion Trading Company and Thriftkart.
The inquiry flagged several deficiencies, including the absence of critical details such as manufacturers’ names, addresses and mandatory BIS licence numbers on product pages. The CCPA described Snapdeal’s compliance checks as “inadequate”, observing that the platform relied primarily on seller declarations without independent verification.
Khare said Snapdeal defended its role by describing itself as a “marketplace ecommerce entity”, comparable to a physical mall. The regulator rejected this argument, noting that the platform exercises “substantial control” over transactions through curated promotional campaigns such as “Toofan Sale” and “Deal of the Day”, quality-linked tags like “great quality at best price”, and control over logistics, refunds and replacement mechanisms.
Emphasising the shift from caveat emptor to caveat venditor, the authority stated that responsibility for product safety rests not only with sellers but also with the platforms facilitating sales.
“The onus is on the platform to ensure that every listed product meets safety and quality standards such as BIS certification for toys,” the CCPA said, adding that platforms remain vicariously liable for any deficiency in service or defect in goods reaching consumers.
It further noted that Snapdeal did not provide a clear undertaking that non-compliant toys would not reappear on the platform when asked to assure future adherence.
Under Section 2(10) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, products that fail to meet mandatory standards may be categorised as “defective”. Violations can also amount to misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices under the Act, while the Consumer Protection (Ecommerce) Rules, 2020, prohibit online entities from engaging in unfair practices.
Reiterating its mandate, the CCPA said it remains focused on safeguarding consumer interests, curbing unfair trade conduct and promoting transparency in the digital marketplace, while urging e-commerce platforms to strengthen compliance and disclosure standards.
