New Delhi: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken a strict action against popular e-commerce platform Snapdeal. In a significant move for consumer safety the authority has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on the company. This fine comes after Snapdeal was found selling toys that did not comply with the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification which is a must for toy safety in India.
The order was issued against Ace Vector Limited which operates Snapdeal after the regulator took suo-motu cognizance of the matter. This means the government acted on its own without waiting for a specific consumer complaint. The violation specifically relates to the Toys (Quality Control) Order 2020 which made BIS certification compulsory for all toys sold in the country from January 1, 2021.
Why was the fine imposed on Snapdeal
The core issue here is the safety of children. The CCPA noted that the sale of such non-compliant toys “can be hazardous and may cause injury or harm to consumers.” During a preliminary inquiry the watchdog found that the platform had failed to exercise due diligence. Even though the quality control order has been in effect for years toys without the safety mark were still being listed and sold.
It was also observed that the sellers details were often missing. The contact details including address and phone number were not visible on the platform which makes it hard for a common buyer to complain. As per the rules any toy that does not conform to compulsory standards is liable to be treated as defective.
Snapdeal defense and CCPA response
Snapdeal tried to defend itself by claiming it is just an intermediary. They argued that they only provide a digital platform to facilitate transactions between independent third-party sellers and buyers. The company submitted that it does not handle physical products or hold legal title to the inventory.
However the CCPA did not accept this argument completely. The authority pointed out that Snapdeal ran promotions like “deal of the day” and “toofan sales” describing products as high quality. The CCPA observed that such representations while selling non-compliant toys amounted to “misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices.”
The investigation revealed that Snapdeal actually earned Rs 41,032 in fees from the sale of these specific non-compliant toys. This indicated a clear commercial benefit from products that violated quality standards.
What happens next
This crackdown is not limited to just one player. CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare mentioned that the authority “has also issued notices to other e-commerce entities including Amazon and Flipkart” regarding similar issues. Sellers like Stallion Trading Company and Electronics Bazar Store are also under the scanner.
The CCPA has directed Snapdeal to ensure the following:
- Guarantee that no non-compliant BIS standard toy is listed or hosted on the platform.
- Prominently display contact numbers and e-mail addresses for consumer grievances.
- Display details of the Grievance Officer to facilitate prompt redressal.
The platform must now ensure full compliance and stop the sale of any toy that does not meet the mandatory safety norms. Consumers should also look for the ISI mark when buying toys online to ensure they are safe for their kids.