HYDERABAD, APRIL 22, 2025: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Hyderabad Branch Office, carried out a Search and Seizure operation on Monday at a factory outlet in Kushaiguda, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, for violation of the BIS Act, 2016.
During the raid, officials seized around 30,000 sanitary napkins and 7,000 above napkin label covers, all of which were found to be stored and offered for sale without the mandatory BIS Certification and ISI Mark. These products fall under IS 5405:2019 (Sanitary Napkins – Specification), which has been mandated by the Government of India through a Quality Control Order (QCO) to ensure women’s health, hygiene, and safety are not compromised.. The absence of standard compliance not only violates the law but also raises serious concerns regarding women’s health and safety. The operation was conducted under the directions of P.V. Srikanth, Director and Head, BIS Hyderabad, and was led by Joint Directors Sattu Savitha, and Rakesh Tanneeru.
This action highlights a clear violation of Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, which prohibits the sale, storage, or distribution of goods under QCOs without the requisite BIS certification. As per the Act, such violations are punishable with imprisonment up to two years or a fine not less than Rs. 2 lakhs for the first offence, and Rs. 5 lakhs or more for repeat offences. The offence is cognizable in nature, and BIS will initiate legal proceedings against the violators.
The BIS Act, 2016 empowers the Central Government to make compliance with Indian Standards mandatory by issuing Quality Control Orders. To date, 769 products have been brought under this mandatory certification regime. It is illegal to manufacture, import, sell, or exhibit such products without a valid BIS license. Strict penalties are provided under the Act to deter such violations.
In order to prevent manufacturers or retailers from distributing fake goods and mislead the wider populace, Bureau of Indian Standards is initiating search and seizure operations based on information of misuse. Consumers before purchasing a product, should confirm the status of the license through BIS Care App; if it is found to be Suspended/Deferred/Expired/Cancelled, then you may register a complaint. Any information on the misuse of the BIS Standard Marks (ISI MARK, BIS Registration Mark, BIS Hallmark) on any products may be provided to the Bureau through email or letter or BIS CARE app (downloadable from Google Play Store and App Store). The details of Complainant will be kept confidential. BIS urges all manufacturers, importers, and e-commerce platforms to ensure compliance with the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016. Consumers are also encouraged to verify the authenticity of BIS-certified products through the BIS Care App or by visiting www.bis.gov.in. Information regarding misuse or spurious use of BIS Standard Marks may be reported confidentially to BIS through the app or by contacting the Hyderabad Branch Office.
