No BIS mark: Hamleys, Archies, WHSmith toys seized

The outlets of several brands, including Hamleys, Archies, and WH Smith, were raided during a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enforcement drive against companies selling products allegedly without certification.

- PRATIGYA YADAV

In total, 249 toys were seized from Reliance-owned Hamleys stores. Around 118 toys were confiscated from Archies stores and 65 from ones of WH Smith.

In the past month, the BIS conducted 44 raids in various locations and seized 18,629 toys. Raids were conducted in Ambala, Dehradun, Surat, Vadodara, Madurai, Jammu & Kashmir, and West Bengal.

"In the first phase, we are targeting only big retailers either at airports or major malls. Around 18,600 toys have been seized from these 44 raids," said Pramod Kumar Tiwari, director general, BIS, during a press conference. "Our idea is to create awareness among sellers and the consumers that selling uncertified products will not be allowed," he added.

According to BIS officials, the traders violated Section 16 and 17 of the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2016. Last year in January, the BIS had mandated certification marks to prevent the sale of low-quality products and asked companies to print the marks on the goods to be imported, sold, stored, or exhibited for sale.