BIS Certification for Toys in India: A Complete Guide for Manufacturers and Importers
A toy may look harmless, but when it is designed for children, even a small manufacturing mistake can become a serious concern. Loose parts, sharp edges, flammable materials, unsuitable chemicals or unsafe electrical components can create risks during normal play.
This is why toy safety is treated differently from many other consumer products in India.
The Government of India has made BIS certification for toys compulsory under the Toys (Quality Control) Order. The requirement applies to toys intended for children under 14 years of age, subject to the provisions and exemptions specified under the applicable order. BIS certification is granted under Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, and certified toys are required to carry the applicable Standard Mark.
For toy manufacturers, importers and brands planning to enter the Indian market, understanding the certification process is therefore an important part of product planning.
What is BIS Certification for Toys?
BIS certification confirms that a toy has been assessed against the applicable Indian safety standards.
Unlike an ordinary quality label, toy certification focuses on safety requirements that are relevant to children's products. The applicable requirements can cover physical and mechanical safety, flammability, migration of certain elements, phthalates and other characteristics depending on the type of toy.
BIS currently distinguishes between non-electric toys and electric toys for the certification process.
For non-electric toys, the primary standard is IS 9873 (Part 1):2019, covering safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties. Electric toys use IS 15644:2006 – Safety of Electric Toys as the primary standard. Additional parts of the IS 9873 series may also apply depending on the toy.
This means that a manufacturer cannot simply apply for a generic "toy certificate." The product must first be placed in the correct category and assessed against the relevant standards.
Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Toys in India?
Yes. Toys covered by the Toys (Quality Control) Order are subject to compulsory BIS certification.
The original order was issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. BIS states that toy safety was brought under compulsory certification from 1 September 2020.
The BIS compulsory-certification list currently includes:
Non-electric toys under the applicable IS 9873 requirements
Electric toys under IS 15644:2006
The current BIS listing also records subsequent amendments to the Toys QCO, so manufacturers should check the latest requirements rather than relying only on the original 2020 order.
What Standards Apply to Toys?
Toy safety is covered by several Indian Standards rather than a single document.
The framework includes standards relating to:
Mechanical and physical properties
Flammability
Migration of certain elements
Swings, slides and similar activity toys
Finger paints
Certain phthalates in toys and children's products
Safety of electric toys
These requirements are covered through different parts of the IS 9873 series and IS 15644 for electric toys.
The exact combination of standards depends on the product. For example, a toy containing paint may have requirements that differ from those applicable to a simple plastic toy, while an electrically operated toy may require assessment under IS 15644 as well as relevant secondary standards.
Why is BIS Certification Important for Toy Manufacturers?
Children do not use toys in the same careful way that adults handle ordinary consumer products. They pull, throw, bend, chew and sometimes dismantle them. A product that seems perfectly safe during a quick inspection may behave differently during repeated use.
The BIS certification system gives manufacturers a defined set of safety requirements to work against.
Testing can examine characteristics such as mechanical strength, physical safety, flammability and the presence or migration of certain substances, depending on the toy and applicable standards.
For businesses, certification also has a straightforward legal purpose. If a toy is covered by the compulsory certification requirement, the manufacturer needs the appropriate BIS licence before placing it on the Indian market.
How to Get BIS Certification for Toys?
The certification process starts with identifying the type of toy and the applicable standards.
Step 1: Identify the Toy Category
First, determine whether the product is a non-electric or electric toy. This affects the primary standard used for certification.
BIS guidance states that separate applications are required when a manufacturer seeks certification for both non-electric and electric toys.
Step 2: Check the Applicable Standards
The manufacturer should identify all relevant standards, not just the primary one. Depending on the toy, secondary standards from the IS 9873 series may also need to be considered.
Step 3: Prepare the Manufacturing Facility
The factory should have appropriate manufacturing machinery, quality-control arrangements and testing facilities as required for the product.
BIS product-certification documentation also calls for suitable laboratory arrangements and maintenance of test records as part of the inspection and testing framework.
Step 4: Get the Toy Tested
Samples are tested against the applicable requirements. Testing may cover mechanical and physical properties, flammability, chemical-related requirements and other characteristics depending on the toy.
BIS maintains information on laboratories and their available testing facilities for the IS 9873 series.
Step 5: Submit the Application
For domestic manufacturers, BIS states that applications for a toy licence are submitted through the Manakonline portal. The application includes details such as manufacturing machinery and testing equipment.
Step 6: Factory Assessment
BIS may assess the manufacturing premises and examine the production process, quality controls, testing arrangements and other relevant requirements.
Step 7: Grant of BIS Licence
After the applicable requirements have been successfully completed, BIS may grant the licence to the manufacturer. The certified product can then carry the Standard Mark in accordance with the licence conditions.
BIS Certification for Imported Toys
Foreign manufacturers and importers should check BIS requirements before shipping toys to India.
A safety certificate issued in another country does not automatically replace the Indian BIS requirement. Overseas manufacturers have a separate route under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), as described by BIS.
Before importing a toy, businesses should verify:
Whether the product falls within the Toys QCO
Whether it is classified as electric or non-electric
Applicable Indian Standards
Testing requirements
Manufacturer and factory details
Brand and model information
Packaging and marking requirements
Current amendments and applicable exemptions
One detail that often gets overlooked is the manufacturing location. BIS states that a licence under Scheme-I is granted for a specific manufacturing premises, meaning a company operating several toy factories may need separate applications for those units.
BIS Marking and Labelling Requirements
Getting the licence is not the final step. Certified toys must also be marked correctly.
BIS product-certification documentation specifies that the Standard Mark should be displayed on the toy or its primary packaging as applicable. Product packaging also needs to carry required information, including the model number and BIS licence number, along with other applicable warnings and instructions.
Manufacturers should therefore review the marking requirements carefully before printing packaging in large quantities.
Conclusion
Toy manufacturing comes with a responsibility that goes beyond appearance, price and design. A toy needs to be suitable for the way children actually use it, including the pulling, dropping, bending and repeated handling that come with everyday play.
BIS Certification for Toys provides a formal system for checking compliance with Indian toy-safety standards. For products covered by the Toys (Quality Control) Order, certification is compulsory, and manufacturers must meet the applicable requirements before selling the products in India.
Manufacturers should begin by identifying the toy category, checking the latest applicable standards, preparing the factory and arranging the required testing. Imported and overseas-manufactured toys need the same level of attention to Indian compliance requirements.
Handling certification before production and shipment can save a business from costly rework, packaging changes and market-entry delays later.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is BIS Certification mandatory for toys in India?
Yes. Toys covered by the Toys (Quality Control) Order are subject to compulsory BIS certification. The requirement has been in force since 2020, with subsequent amendments to the regulatory framework.
2. What is the BIS standard for non-electric toys?
The primary standard for non-electric toys is IS 9873 (Part 1):2019. Other parts of the IS 9873 series may also apply depending on the type and characteristics of the toy.
3. What standard applies to electric toys?
Electric toys use IS 15644:2006 – Safety of Electric Toys as the primary standard. Relevant secondary toy-safety standards may also apply.
4. Can a toy distributor apply for a BIS licence?
BIS states that the licence to use the Standard Mark under Scheme-I is granted to the manufacturer, rather than simply to a distributor or marketing company.
5. Can one BIS licence cover several toy manufacturing locations?
No. BIS guidance states that certification is granted for a specific manufacturing premises. Separate applications are therefore required for separate manufacturing units.
6. Do imported toys need BIS Certification?
Toys imported into India that fall under the applicable compulsory-certification requirements must meet the relevant BIS requirements. Foreign manufacturers can use the applicable Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme route.
7. What tests are performed on toys?
The tests depend on the type of toy and applicable standards. They can include assessments of mechanical and physical properties, flammability, migration of certain elements, phthalates and electrical safety.
8. Can BIS toy requirements change?
Yes. Standards, amendments and Quality Control Orders can be updated. BIS's current certification information should be checked before testing or applying for a licence, particularly because the BIS standards database shows revisions and amendments to toy standards.
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