A team of officials from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Chennai Branch Office, conducted an Enforcement Search and Seizure Operation on 25 August 2026 under the provisions of Section 28 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, at a Glass, Plywood & Hardwares Shop and its Godown in Chennai. During the operation, the premises were found to be storing plywood bearing Spurious ISI Mark (BIS Standard Mark) and/or invalid BIS licence details, in violation of the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016 and applicable Quality Control Orders. Accordingly, the materials were seized.
During the operation, Plywood for general purpose, IS 303 and Marine plywood, IS 710 of different grades, types, sizes and thicknesses bearing spurious ISI Mark were found stored for sale. The materials seized from the shop included 21 numbers of plywood marked with spurious ISI Mark and IS 303 and 17 numbers of plywood bearing spurious ISI Mark and IS 710 among other details. At the godown, 541 numbers of plywood bearing Spurious ISI Mark and IS 710, were seized.
Thus, a total of 579 numbers of plywoods bearing Spurious ISI Mark were seized from the shop and godown during the enforcement operation. The seized materials were sealed for further investigation and necessary legal action. The enforcement operation was carried out by officials of Chennai Branch Office, BIS, along with support staff, with the assistance of police personnel. These types of plywoods are covered under covered under Mandatory Certification of BIS through Plywood and Wooden Flush Door Shutters Quality Control Orders, 2024 issued by Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Shri S. D. Dayanand, Scientist–F / Senior Director & Head, BIS Chennai Branch Office, stated that BIS conducts regular market surveillance and enforcement activities to safeguard consumer interests and ensure that products covered under mandatory certification conform to the prescribed Indian Standards. He emphasized that such enforcement actions are essential to prevent misuse of the BIS Standard Mark, curb the circulation of substandard products in the market, and uphold the integrity of the BIS certification system. He further stated that BIS will continue to take stringent action, including seizure and prosecution, against persons violating the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016 and applicable Quality Control Orders.
BIS is initiating appropriate action against the offenders under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. The offence is punishable with imprisonment up to two years or a fine not less than ₹2,00,000, which may extend up to ten times the value of the goods, or both, depending upon the nature of the offence committed under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016.
Consumers are advised to verify the authenticity of the ISI Mark, Hallmark and CRS registration details before purchasing products covered under mandatory certification. Consumers may verify BIS licences and registrations through the BIS Care App, BIS portal or by scanning QR codes, wherever applicable.
Complaints regarding misuse of the ISI Mark, Hallmarking violations or sale of non-certified products may be lodged through the BIS Care App or by email to cnbo1@bis.gov.in. The identity of complainants will be kept strictly confidential. Further information is available on the BIS website (www.bis.gov.in) and e-BIS portal (www.manakonline.in).