Courts in Maharashtra, Kerala and Odisha have penalised several companies and individuals for violating mandatory BIS quality and safety standards, including misuse of ISI marks, sale of unhallmarked gold jewellery and non-compliant industrial products.
New Delhi, October 26 — The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) said courts in Maharashtra, Kerala and Odisha have imposed penalties on several firms and individuals for violating mandatory safety and quality norms under the BIS Act, 2016.
The action is part of a wider nationwide crackdown against substandard manufacturing, fraudulent quality certification, counterfeit ISI marks and unhallmarked gold jewellery.
BIS has urged manufacturers, importers and retailers to comply strictly with Quality Control Orders, mandatory ISI-mark requirements and gold hallmarking rules.
The standards body warned that violations can attract heavy fines, forfeiture of goods and even imprisonment under the BIS Act.
One of the largest financial penalties was imposed in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, where a Judicial Magistrate First Class court levied a total fine of ₹34 lakh on importing firm Ador Welding Ltd and 16 of its directors and officials for violating mandatory BIS standards.
In another case, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Thrissur, Kerala, on October 15 ordered the forfeiture of 162 metric tonnes of hollow structural steel sections manufactured under the DEMAC brand.
The court also fined New Malayalam Steel Pvt Ltd and two associated individuals ₹2 lakh each, taking the total penalty to ₹6 lakh.
The case involved use of the BIS Standard Mark under IS 4923 without a valid licence.
BIS said its enforcement drive has also targeted consumer products.
In Bhiwandi, Nilesh Jayram Patil, proprietor of Shree Samarth Water Suppliers, was convicted and fined ₹2 lakh after pleading guilty to printing unauthorised ISI marks on packaged drinking water pouches.
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Hindustan Jewellers deposited a court-ordered fine of ₹3 lakh after authorities seized 138.80 grams of unhallmarked gold jewellery.
The seized items included earrings, chains, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and bangles.
BIS said the enforcement actions underline the importance of ensuring that products sold in India meet prescribed safety and quality standards.
The regulator continues to conduct raids and inspections across the country to identify misuse of certification marks and sale of products that do not meet mandatory norms.
