Popular international brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Lego may be removed from Indian shelves by the end of 2026. The reason: they haven’t yet received mandatory quality certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is now required for 730 different products.
What is BIS Certification?
The BIS certification ensures that products meet Indian quality standards. From toys and sports shoes to everyday goods like pressure cookers, mobile chargers, and baby diapers — all must now carry the BIS stamp under new government-issued Quality Control Orders (QCOs).
Enforcement Through Raids
The BIS is no longer waiting for compliance. In March 2025, they conducted surprise raids at Amazon and Flipkart warehouses across cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, Coimbatore, and Tiruvallur. Thousands of unverified products — including shoes, toys, and water bottles — were seized. One warehouse alone saw ₹6 lakh worth of sports shoes confiscated.
Challenges for Global Brands
Big brands say they follow international standards already, but BIS requires their factories to be physically inspected — even if they’re abroad. Since inspections in countries like China are difficult, and most factories are located in Vietnam, Hungary, or Mexico, progress has been slow. Even Lego, despite claiming their toys are for those above 14 years, had their products seized from warehouses.
Tension in Retail
Retailers are worried. If e-commerce giants can be raided, local shops could be next. Experts warn that sudden enforcement may disrupt the entire retail chain if brands fail to meet BIS requirements in time.
A Push for ‘Make in India’
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has made it clear — India wants companies to manufacture here, not import from abroad. BIS certification is part of that bigger strategy to raise quality and boost local manufacturing. However, many global firms see it as a complicated and slow process.
Global Impact and Trade Concerns
Other countries are taking notice. UK and US trade negotiators have flagged BIS rules as trade barriers. While the Indian government remains confident in its quality push, companies say the process needs clarity and speed if it hopes to succeed without choking supply chains.
