Small Makers, Big Leap: How India’s Toy Safety Rules Empower Micro-Manufacturers

In an era where global safety standards are tightening and consumer expectations are climbing, India has emerged as an unlikely trailblazer in toy regulation — not by sidelining small businesses, but by lifting them up.

Since the introduction of the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, the Indian government has worked hand-in-hand with micro and small toy manufacturers to embed quality and compliance deep into their operations. At the heart of this movement is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which has certified over 1,640 manufacturers to date. Many of these are family-run operations once viewed as too small to compete globally — and yet, today, they’re thriving.

Regulation That Enables, Not Restricts

Historically, tighter regulation has often been equated with higher compliance costs — a burden for small players. But India charted a different path: BIS offered relaxed testing norms and implementation windows during the initial years for micro-enterprises, recognizing that transformation takes time, not just policy.

Alongside this, BIS rolled out capsule training programs across major toy manufacturing hubs like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Tamil Nadu — helping makers understand how to conduct internal quality audits, assess raw materials, and document testing.

From Compliance to Capability

The results are remarkable. Zephyr Toymakers, a homegrown SME based in Mumbai, exemplifies this transformation. The company saw its turnover rise to ₹25 crore (USD 3 million) after securing BIS certification, and it now expects 20% year-over-year growth.

“Our turnover rose substantially after BIS norms came in,” shared Moiz Gabajiwala, CEO of Zephyr Toymakers. “What looked like a challenge at first turned into a roadmap for scaling — not just for domestic markets, but for exports as well.”

Zephyr now manufactures over 100 varieties of toys, all made from 99% locally sourced materials, reinforcing India’s “Make in India” push. Their BIS badge doesn’t just meet compliance — it’s become a selling point for international buyers keen on safety-backed sourcing.

Export Ready, Globally Relevant

India’s push toward toy safety is now becoming a talking point among international buyers. Countries in Southeast Asia and Africa are already exploring bilateral agreements for certified toy imports from India, attracted by the traceability and compliance that BIS certification offers.

And while overall Indian toy exports dipped marginally this year, BIS believes the long-term trend is bullish — precisely because quality and safety now define Indian-made toys.

Policy as a Playmaker

What sets India apart is the intentional support ecosystem it built alongside regulation. From MSME-focused training to cluster-level outreach, BIS has proven that compliance doesn’t have to come at the cost of inclusivity.

In doing so, India has rewritten a global narrative: that regulation and small business growth aren’t at odds — they’re mutually reinforcing, when executed with foresight.

For global buyers and toy brands seeking safe, reliable, and scalable sourcing from Asia, India’s BIS-certified ecosystem may just be the next great leap.