BIS Certification for Toys IS 9873 Non Electric and IS 15644 Electric

Safety is most important while dealing with toys for children. Dangerous toys can create serious hazards like choking, bodily injury, and health hazards from poisonous plastics, paints, or fabric materials. To combat this, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) releases stringent safety specifications through BIS certification for toys to ensure that toys must comply with the requirements of physical, mechanical, chemical, and electrical safety. The standard specifications must be compatible with global requirements by organizations like ISO and IEC to safeguard children from hazards.

A BIS licence is a mandatory requirement for both electrical and non-electrical toy manufacturers in India. Toys carrying the ISI Mark (a symbol of quality and safety) can only be imported or sold in the Indian market. If a manufacturer wants to manufacture and sell toys in India, they must comply with the required Indian standards as mandated by the Bureau of Indian Standards. BIS has categorized the Indian standard for the safety of electric toys under IS 15644:2006. While non-electric toys must comply with the safety standards outlined under IS 9873 (Part 1 to 9).

The Toys Quality Control Order (QCO), 2020 was introduced by the Government of India to ensure that toys sold in the Indian market meet the required safety and quality standards. The QCO was implemented from 1 September 2020.

Under this order, manufacturers of toys covered by the applicable Indian Standards must obtain a BIS licence and use the ISI Mark before manufacturing, importing, storing, selling, or distributing these toys in India.

The QCO covers both non-electric and electric toys. Non-electric toys are covered under the IS 9873 series, while electric toys are covered under IS 15644, as applicable. The order applies to both Indian manufacturers and foreign manufacturers supplying toys to the Indian market.

The BIS certification is based on Six key Indian Standards outlined in the Toys QCO. These standards are aligned with international norms set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

The ISI Mark for toys is the official BIS Standard Mark. It shows that a toy has been tested and meets the required Indian safety and quality standards. These standards check things like physical safety, fire safety, chemical safety, and electrical safety, if needed.

The ISI Mark is important because toys are used by children and must be safe to use. BIS certification helps reduce risks such as choking, sharp edges, harmful chemicals, fire, and electrical hazards. It also shows that the toy follows the required Indian standards and can be legally sold in India.

Every certified toy with an ISI Mark generally has two important details:

• Indian Standard Number — Shows the BIS standard followed by the toy.
• Licence Number (CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX) — Shows the BIS licence of the manufacturer.

Therefore, the ISI Mark gives customers confidence that the toy meets the required safety, quality, and legal requirements in India.

• Registered manufacturer — applicant must be a genuine toy manufacturing unit with a clearly defined production setup.
• Applicable Indian Standard — toys must conform to the relevant BIS standard based on their type and design.
• Testing arrangement — the manufacturer must have the required testing facilities or access to approved testing arrangements as prescribed by BIS.
• Quality control setup — proper inspection, testing, quality records, and competent personnel should be maintained at the factory.
• BIS assessment readiness — the manufacturing premises, production process, and quality system must be available for BIS inspection and verification.

The BIS certification process ensures that toys manufactured, imported, or sold in India comply with the required safety and quality standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The process verifies that toys are safe for children and meet applicable requirements for physical and mechanical safety, flammability, chemical safety, and electrical safety. The major steps are:

Step 1 – Documentation Preparation: Prepare the required documents, including factory registration, manufacturing process flowchart, machinery details, quality control procedures, testing equipment information, product specifications, and other technical documents. Foreign manufacturers must also submit documents related to the appointment of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).

Step 2 – Filing Application with BIS: Submit the BIS application through the applicable process along with the required documents and prescribed fees. Domestic manufacturers generally apply through the BIS ManakOnline portal, while foreign manufacturers follow the applicable procedure for overseas manufacturers.

Step 3 – Document Scrutiny by BIS: BIS examines the submitted application and documents to check whether the manufacturer, factory, product, and supporting information meet the certification requirements. Any deficiencies or clarification requests must be addressed by the applicant.

Step 4 – Factory Inspection by BIS: A BIS auditor inspects the manufacturing facility to verify the production process, machinery, raw material controls, quality control system, in-house testing facilities, trained personnel, and manufacturing arrangements. The inspection confirms that the manufacturer can consistently produce toys meeting the applicable Indian Standard.

Step 5 – Sample Drawal by BIS Auditor: During the factory inspection, representative toy samples are selected and drawn by the BIS auditor. The samples are properly sealed and sent to a BIS-recognized laboratory for independent testing.

Step 6 – Product Testing in BIS-Recognized Laboratory: The samples are tested against the applicable requirements of standards such as IS 9873 for non-electric toys and IS 15644 for electric toys. Testing may cover physical and mechanical safety, flammability, chemical safety, migration of toxic elements, sharp edges, choking hazards, and electrical safety, as applicable.

Step 7 – Evaluation and Grant of BIS Licence: BIS evaluates the factory inspection report, test results, documents, and overall compliance of the manufacturer. If all requirements are satisfactorily fulfilled, BIS grants the certification licence. The manufacturer then receives the applicable BIS licence number.

Step 8 – ISI Marking: After obtaining the BIS licence, the manufacturer can use the BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) with the applicable licence number on certified toys and packaging, as permitted under BIS requirements. The marking indicates that the toys comply with the prescribed Indian safety and quality standards.

The following documents are generally required for BIS Certification for Toys:

The cost of BIS certification for toys includes several charges, such as the application fee, factory inspection, licence fee, product testing, and marking fee. The actual cost may vary depending on the type of toy, number of models, testing requirements, and manufacturing location.

BIS certification is required for many toys made for children below 14 years of age. The main types of toys include:

The BIS Product Manual and Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) require toy manufacturers to have proper testing facilities and test their toys according to the applicable Indian Standards.

• Non-electrical toys must be tested as per the applicable requirements of IS 9873, including relevant Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9.
• Electrical toys must meet the applicable requirements of IS 15644:2006 and, where applicable, the relevant requirements of IS 9873.
• In-house testing facilities must have the required testing equipment, instruments and trained staff.
• Tests that cannot be done in the factory may be carried out by BIS-recognized or BIS-approved laboratories, wherever allowed under the applicable BIS requirements.
• Testing equipment and measuring instruments must be properly maintained and regularly calibrated, with valid calibration certificates or records.
• Test reports and records must be properly maintained and provided to BIS during factory inspection or certification assessment.
• The tests required depend on the type, design, material, use and age group of the toy. Therefore, every toy does not need to undergo every test mentioned in the standards.

After a manufacturer gets BIS certification for toys, the ISI Mark must be displayed clearly and permanently on the product or its packaging. Along with the ISI Mark, certain other details are also required as per BIS guidelines. These markings help consumers identify certified toys, ensure product traceability, and confirm that the toys meet the prescribed safety and quality standards.

• Enhanced Child Safety: Rigorous testing helps ensure that toys meet applicable safety requirements for physical, mechanical, chemical, flammability, and other relevant hazards.
• Consumer Confidence & Brand Trust: The BIS Standard Mark assures parents and buyers that the toy complies with the applicable Indian safety standards.
• Legal Market Access: For toys covered under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, a valid BIS licence is required before they can be manufactured, imported, or sold in India, subject to applicable exemptions.
• Better Product Quality: The BIS certification process includes product testing and assessment of the manufacturer's production and quality-control facilities, helping maintain consistent product quality.
• Regulatory Risk Reduction: Following BIS requirements helps manufacturers avoid non-compliance actions, including restrictions on the sale or manufacture of products that do not meet applicable requirements.
• Retail & Business Acceptance: BIS certification helps manufacturers demonstrate regulatory compliance to retailers, distributors, institutional buyers, and other business customers.
• Improved Brand Credibility: Using the BIS Standard Mark on certified toys can strengthen the brand's reputation for safety and compliance in the Indian market.

BIS enforces the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 through market inspections, factory inspections, product testing, and action against businesses that do not follow the rules.

• By January 2023, around 2,500 toy samples were tested, and about 83% were found compliant with the required standards.
• By June 2025, BIS had conducted 159 search-and-seizure operations against businesses involved in making or selling non-compliant toys.
• From January 2021 to June 2025, more than 17,000 toy samples were examined, and around 91% were found compliant.
• BIS has also taken action against businesses that manufacture, import, store, or sell toys without the required BIS certification.

A BIS Toy Licence under Scheme-I is subject to validity, timely renewal, and ongoing surveillance to ensure that toys continue to comply with the applicable Indian Standards and BIS requirements.

EVTL India has assisted a growing number of Indian and overseas toy manufacturers and importers in successfully obtaining their BIS ISI Mark Licence under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 — supporting them through documentation, factory audits, testing coordination, and final licence approval. Get in touch with our team to know how we can help your business get certified as well.

EVTL India helps manufacturers, importers, and overseas businesses navigate BIS requirements with practical guidance and complete certification support. Our key services include:

• Product-wise assessment to determine the correct BIS certification requirements
• Guidance on the relevant IS standards, QCOs, and applicable compliance schemes
• Assistance with technical documents, applications, test reports, and other BIS paperwork
• Coordination with BIS-approved testing laboratories for product evaluation
• Preparation support for BIS factory audits and inspection requirements
• Assistance in addressing BIS queries, observations, and compliance issues
• Support for obtaining, renewing, and modifying BIS licences
• Dedicated assistance for overseas manufacturers under the FMCS route
• Ongoing support for maintaining BIS compliance after certification

BIS Certification is mandatory for toy manufacturers and importers covered under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020. Toys must have the applicable BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) to be legally sold in India.

EVTL India is a leading BIS consultant in India, offering complete support for toy manufacturers and importers. Our services cover standard identification, documentation, application submission, product testing, factory inspection, and BIS licence approval.

With years of experience in BIS compliance, EVTL India helps businesses complete the certification process smoothly and efficiently. Looking to secure your BIS license hassle-free? Contact our expert team today.