E-commerce accountability takes center stage as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) levels a ₹5 lakh fine against Snapdeal for peddling toys below BIS standards. Delivered on Monday, this ruling reinforces India’s push for stringent product quality in kids’ items.
At the heart of the violation: Snapdeal’s platform hosted non-compliant toys via sellers Stallion Trading Company and Thriftcart, breaching the 2020 Toys Quality Control Order. Listings were riddled with gaps—no manufacturer names, addresses, or BIS numbers—flagrantly ignoring mandatory disclosures.
Led by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, CCPA’s investigation revealed Snapdeal’s commission haul of ₹41,032 from these transactions. The platform’s ‘unfair practices and misleading ads’ amplified the deceit, especially amid hyped sales events.
Dismissing Snapdeal’s ‘marketplace-only’ defense—likened to a shopping mall—CCPA highlighted its control over promotions like ‘Tufaan Sale’ and quality endorsements. Such actions impose ‘sufficient control’ and liability for subpar goods.
‘Verification of BIS compliance is non-negotiable for platforms,’ CCPA ruled, faulting Snapdeal’s blind trust in seller claims and its reluctance to pledge against repeat offenses. This order sets a precedent in holding intermediaries responsible.
Wider enforcement includes notices to Flipkart, Amazon, and others, underscoring a zero-tolerance stance. For the toy industry and parents alike, this signals a new era of oversight, where safety trumps sales volume every time.