New Delhi, Feb. 13 -- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs.5 lakh on Snapdeal (Ace Vector Ltd) for facilitating the sale of toys that did not conform to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, holding that marketplace platforms cannot evade accountability by claiming intermediary status when consumer safety is at stake.

The order, reviewed by Mint, said the national consumer rights watchdog found non-compliant toys continued to be listed, hosted, and sold on the platform even after the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, came into force on 1 January 2021. The QCO, notified under the BIS Act, makes BIS certification mandatory for toys meant for children under 14 years of age.

The proceedings began ...