The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Hyderabad Branch Office, conducted a Search and Seizure operation on Tuesday (2nd September 2025) at a warehouse in Secunderabad CTC Complex for violation of the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016. The enforcement operation was carried out under the direction of Shri P.V. Srikanth, Director & Head, and led by Shri Rakesh Tanneeru, Director, along with K Kavin, Deputy Director, Abhisai Etta, SPO, Shivaji, SSA, and other team members.
During the raid, a total of 225 consumer goods, including Domestic Electric Food Mixers, Domestic Pressure Cookers, Heat Plates, Ceiling Fans, and Electric Iron Boxes, were found stored and offered for sale without the mandatory BIS Certification. These products fall under the purview of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Government of India, making BIS certification compulsory. The seized products, which were being sold without the requisite BIS Standard Mark, are estimated to be worth more than Rs. 8 lakhs.
This act constitutes a clear violation of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, which prohibits the sale, storage, or distribution of goods covered under QCOs without appropriate BIS Certification. The Act provides for punishment, including imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of not less than Rs. 2 lakh for the first contravention, and not less than Rs. 5 lakh for subsequent contraventions, which may extend up to ten times the value of the goods. The offence under this provision is cognizable in nature, and BIS will be initiating legal proceedings against the violators.
The BIS Act, 2016 provides that the Central Government can make any of the Indian Standards mandatory for compliance through a Quality Control Order (QCO). Standards for 769 products have so far been made mandatory for compliance. The effect of the QCO is that no one can manufacture, import, sell, or exhibit a product covered thereunder without a license from BIS. There are punitive measures provided in the BIS Act for violation of this requirement.