Central Consumer Protection Authority issues 15 notices against e-commerce companies for violation of compulsory standards

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a Safety Notice to alert consumers against buying household goods which do not hold valid ISI mark and violate the prescribed Government standards. The notices were issued in exercise of powers under Section 18(2)(j) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. 

It has also taken suo-moto action against e-commerce entities and sellers who were found to be selling pressure cookers in violation to compulsory online standards and 15 notices have already been issued with respect to such violations, a government release said.  

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The cases have also been forwarded to BIS for taking necessary action under the BIS Act, 2016. BIS has also issued 3 notices for violation of QCO of domestic pressure cookers and 2 notices for violation of QCO for helmets. 

The move is aimed at protecting consumers from risk of suffering injury and harm and ensure required safety and technical standards are in place, a government release said. 

“Central Government is empowered to direct conformity to standard and compulsory use of standard mark under Section 16 of BIS Act. These directions are generally published in form of Quality Control Orders (QCO),” this release said. 

Violation of standards mandated by the QCOs can not only endanger public safety, but also make consumers vulnerable to severe injuries, the release said. In case of household goods, family members are in direct vicinity of such goods, endangering their safety. 

On 6 December, CCPA had also issued Safety Notice to alert consumers against buying those helmets, pressure cookers and cooking gas cylinders which violate compulsory standards.  

Goods which violate compulsory standards are liable to be held ‘defective’ under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. 

CCPA has decided to take up cases involving sale or offering for sale goods which violate compulsory standards as matter of preventing unfair trade practice and to protect, promote and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.  

Any person found selling the household items not confirming to the government prescribed standards and without valid license will be liable for violation of consumer rights and unfair trade practices and face action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the release said.