Jalandhar, Punjab: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has seized 80 hand dryers from a manufacturing premises near Pathankot Road in Jalandhar for allegedly violating mandatory BIS certification requirements.

A team of officials from the BIS Jammu & Kashmir Branch Office conducted a search and seizure operation on August 25 at a manufacturing unit near Reru Pind Gate, Jalandhar, following specific information about a violation of the Quality Control Order (QCO).

Hand Dryers Found Without ISI Mark

During the raid, officials found hand dryers without the mandatory BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark). The products reportedly carried details including the brand name, manufacturer’s name and date of manufacture.

Hand dryers conforming to IS 302 (Part 2/Sec 23): 2009 are covered under the Electrical Appliances for Skin or Hair Care (Quality Control) Order, 2023, issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The order has been fully applicable to all enterprises, including Micro and Small Enterprises, since September 5, 2025, making BIS certification mandatory for such products.

Violation Could Attract Jail, Fine

The 80 hand dryers were seized for alleged contravention of Section 17(1)(a) of the BIS Act, 2016.

According to BIS, the violation is punishable under Section 29 of the Act with imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine of not less than Rs 2 lakh, or both.

Further legal action is being initiated for filing a complaint before the competent court.

BIS Urges Consumers to Verify Certification

BIS has appealed to consumers to use the BIS CARE mobile application, available on Android and iOS, to verify mandatory BIS certification and check the authenticity of the ISI Mark and BIS Hallmark.

Consumers can also report non-certified mandatory products or misuse of BIS marks to the BIS Jammu & Kashmir Branch Office or through the official complaint email channels. BIS said the identity of sources providing such information would be kept strictly confidential.