Snapdeal Fined ₹5 Lakh by CCPA for Selling Substandard Toys

New Delhi, February 17, 2026: Online shoppers are being warned to stay vigilant as e-commerce platforms continue to face scrutiny for product quality. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹5 lakh fine on Snapdeal for selling toys that did not meet the standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), violating consumer rights.

Substandard Toys on the Platform

CCPA found that Snapdeal allowed the sale of toys that failed to comply with the mandatory Toy (Quality Control) Order, 2020 and BIS norms. The investigation revealed that the platform depended solely on self-declarations from sellers and did not conduct independent verification, resulting in potentially hazardous products being listed online. Snapdeal had earned ₹41,032 in fees from the sale of such non-compliant toys, linked to two sellers: Stallion Trading Company and Thriftcart.

Many listings lacked crucial information, including the manufacturer’s name, address, and BIS certification number. The CCPA deemed Snapdeal’s platform oversight “insufficient” to prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers.

Snapdeal’s Defense Rejected

Snapdeal argued that it operates as a “marketplace e-commerce entity,” similar to a physical shopping mall. However, CCPA rejected this comparison, noting that Snapdeal exercises significant control over transactions through platform-wide promotional sales like “Storm Sale” and “Deal of the Day.” Additionally, quality assurance tags such as “best quality at the best price” applied to non-compliant products were considered misleading guarantees.

Regulatory Warning

CCPA emphasized that online platforms are responsible for ensuring that all listed products meet safety and quality standards, such as BIS certification for toys. Platforms will be held accountable for defective or substandard products sold to consumers.

Broader Enforcement

Earlier, CCPA had issued notices to Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal, as well as sellers like Stallion Trading Company and Electronics Bazaar Store, for violating mandatory QCO and BIS standards.

This is not the first such case in India. In 2017, Flipkart faced allegations from Skechers, the US footwear and lifestyle brand, for selling counterfeit shoes. Authorities seized 15,000 pairs of fake Skechers shoes being sold as authentic on the platform.