In a decisive move to safeguard young consumers, India’s Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fined e-commerce giant Snapdeal ₹5 lakh for allowing substandard toys on its platform. The penalty, announced Monday, stems from breaches of essential quality norms set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, requires all toys to carry BIS certification, a rule Snapdeal flouted by hosting listings from vendors like Stallion Trading and Thriftcart. These products omitted vital info—manufacturer details, addresses, and certification numbers—exposing kids to potential hazards.
Under the stewardship of Nidhi Khare and Anupam Mishra, CCPA scrutinized Snapdeal’s operations. The platform pocketed ₹41,032 in fees from these sales, all while indulging in deceptive promotions that assured quality without due diligence.
Snapdeal argued it functions merely as a marketplace, akin to a mall. CCPA rebuffed this, noting the company’s hands-on curation of deals and quality promises, which mislead buyers. ‘E-commerce entities must ensure every listing complies with safety mandates,’ the order stated firmly.
The authority criticized Snapdeal’s over-reliance on seller self-certifications, calling it insufficient to prevent dangerous goods. When pressed on future safeguards, Snapdeal offered no concrete assurances, prompting the steep fine.
This isn’t isolated—CCPA has issued warnings to Amazon, Flipkart, and sundry sellers for parallel violations. The crackdown aims to instill rigorous compliance across digital shelves, protecting families from toxic or poorly made toys. As online toy sales surge, such regulatory vigilance is crucial to maintain trust and safety.