Indian Compliance
Toy Testing in India: IS 9873 & IS 15644 Tests, BIS Labs, Cost and Timeline
Since 1 January 2021, toys sold in India must carry the ISI mark. That single rule changed toy sourcing more than any other Quality Control Order: every toy factory, Indian or foreign, now needs a BIS licence, and that licence depends on testing to Indian Standards.
This guide explains which tests apply, how many samples to plan for, where testing happens and how long it takes. For the licence process itself, see our guide to BIS certification for toys.
Which Toys Need Testing?
The Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 covers products designed or intended for use in play by children under 14 years. Toys must conform to:
- IS 9873 series for non-electric toys (see our non-electric toys standard page)
- IS 15644 for electric toys (see our electric toys standard page)
The certification route is Scheme-I (ISI mark). Indian manufacturers apply directly, and foreign factories apply under FMCS.
The Tests: IS 9873 and IS 15644
| Standard | What it tests | Typical checks |
|---|---|---|
| IS 9873 (Part 1) | Mechanical and physical properties | Small parts, sharp edges and points, drop, torque and tension, cords, projectiles, magnets |
| IS 9873 (Part 2) | Flammability | Burning rate of soft toys, costumes, hair and fabric parts |
| IS 9873 (Part 3) | Migration of certain elements | Lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, arsenic and other heavy metals from paints and materials |
| IS 9873 (Part 4) | Swings, slides and activity toys for home use | Stability, strength, entrapment and fall hazards |
| IS 9873 (Part 7) | Finger paints | Composition, colourants and preservatives |
| IS 9873 (Part 9) | Certain phthalate esters | Phthalate plasticisers in plastic parts |
| IS 15644 | Safety of electric toys | Heating, moisture, electric strength, battery safety, mechanical strength, construction |
Not every part applies to every toy. A plush toy needs Parts 1, 2 and 3. A plastic ride-on may also need Part 9. A swing set needs Part 4. An electric toy needs IS 15644 and usually the relevant IS 9873 parts too.
Where Toy Testing Is Done
For the BIS licence, samples are tested in:
- The factory's in-house lab, for the routine tests listed in the BIS product manual
- BIS labs or BIS-recognised labs in India, for the samples BIS draws during inspection and surveillance
Foreign test reports, including EN 71 or ASTM F963 reports, are useful for design checks, but BIS does not accept them in place of testing to the Indian Standard.
Samples: How Many to Plan For
Sample needs depend on the toy and on which parts apply. Destructive tests such as drop, tension and flammability use up samples, and heavy metal and phthalate tests need material from each colour and component. Ask the lab for the exact count per model before shipping, and keep extra samples ready in case of a retest.
After the licence, BIS keeps testing. Surveillance for toys includes one factory sample and two market samples each year, tested in BIS or BIS-recognised labs.
Cost and Timeline
Lab charges depend on:
- How many IS 9873 parts apply, and whether IS 15644 is needed
- The number of colours and materials, since chemical tests are done per material
- Whether models can be grouped under one test
Get a written quote per model from the lab. For time, a full IS 9873 set usually takes two to four weeks once samples reach the lab. Chemical and electric toy tests can take longer, and any failure adds a retest.
Common Reasons Toys Fail
- Small parts that detach in torque or tension tests on toys for children under 3
- Heavy metals in paint or coatings, often from a cheaper paint supplier
- Phthalates in soft PVC parts such as squeeze toys and doll bodies
- Flammability of fabric and hair on soft toys and costumes
- Battery compartments that open without a tool in electric toys
Most failures trace back to material changes. Lock down paint, plastic and fabric suppliers before you test, and tell the factory not to change them without approval.
How Instacertify Helps
We map the IS 9873 parts and IS 15644 tests for each toy, pre-check materials, coordinate testing in BIS-recognised labs and handle the BIS licence for Indian and foreign factories. See our toy testing services.
Frequently asked questions
Is toy testing mandatory in India?
Yes. Under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, in force since 1 January 2021, toys for children under 14 must conform to IS 9873 or IS 15644 and carry the ISI mark under a BIS licence. Testing is part of getting and keeping that licence.
Which standards apply to toys in India?
IS 9873 Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 for non-electric toys, covering physical and mechanical safety, flammability, heavy metals, swings and slides, finger paints and phthalates. IS 15644 applies to electric toys.
Can importers get toys tested in India and then sell them?
Testing alone is not enough. The foreign factory must hold a BIS licence under FMCS, and testing is done as part of that process. Consignments without a licence are not cleared.
Do toy manufacturers need an in-house lab?
BIS expects licensees to have the in-house testing facilities listed in the product manual for the standard. The manual also sets which tests may be done in an outside lab.
How often are toys tested after the licence?
BIS draws samples during surveillance. For toys this includes factory samples and samples bought from the market each year, which are tested in BIS or BIS-recognised labs.
How long does toy testing take?
A full set of IS 9873 tests usually takes two to four weeks in the lab once samples are received. Phthalate and heavy metal tests, and electric toy tests, can take longer.