Big Relief For Domestic Toy Manufacturers: Govt Extends Deadline For Implementation Of New Quality Norms

The Centre has extended the time period given to the domestic toy manufacturers for compliance with new quality standards.

Accordingly, a notification for the implementation of 'Quality Controls' order was issued extending the time period by four months.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) issued the notification, extending the date of implementation of 'Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020' to be implemented from January 1, 2021 in place of 1 September 2020.

"This decision allows domestic manufacturers four months of extra time to make necessary arrangements for the compliance of standards in view of the difficulties arising out of Covid-19 pandemic," the notification dated 15 September said.

Earlier, the government in its Toys (Quality Control) Order, which came into effect on 1 September mandated that all toys and materials designed or intended for use in play by children below 14 years of age shall be certified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

The BIS is the government's nodal agency that frames quality standards in coordination with the concerned ministries.

The government order to enforce quality norms on toys is being seen as a move to counter low-quality Chinese toys that have flooded the Indian market and also affected the business of domestic toymakers.

The latest extension order comes after the domestic toy manufacturers, the majority of whom are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), have been complaining about the delays in securing certification from BIS against the backdrop of the covid-19 disruption.

(With inputs from IANS)