Government market surveillance found that nearly 42% of products tested from e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms in fiscal year 2024-25 lacked mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification, according to a written reply by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs B.L. Verma in the Lok Sabha on February 11, 2026. Out of 344 samples procured under various Quality Control Orders, 142 were found without valid BIS certification, highlighting significant regulatory gaps.
The reply addressed multiple questions on enforcement failures, regulatory deterrence, and platform accountability. It noted concerns over repeated violations despite existing laws and questioned whether e-commerce platforms knowingly allowed the sale of uncertified products. The government also examined whether marketplace immunity was misused to shield platforms from liability and why pre-listing verification of safety certifications was not enforced, leading to compromised consumer safety for platform convenience.
This finding underscores ongoing challenges in regulating online marketplaces, where the sale of non-BIS and non-ISI certified products persists. The lack of transparent reporting on violations under Consumer Protection and Legal Metrology laws further complicates enforcement. The issue raises questions about the differential treatment of online platforms compared to offline sellers and the effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks in ensuring product safety for consumers.
The data was officially disclosed in the Lok Sabha on February 11, 2026, by Minister B.L. Verma, reflecting the government's acknowledgment of enforcement gaps in the e-commerce sector's compliance with mandatory safety certifications.