Toy Exports Target 10X Growth as Ministry Vows Upholding Strict Quality Controls

Toy Exports Target 10X Growth as Ministry Vows Upholding Strict Quality Controls​

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has set an ambitious mandate for India's toy sector, urging manufacturers to achieve a 10-fold increase in exports over the next four years. Addressing the 17th Toy Biz International B2B Expo 2026, Goyal highlighted that despite significant domestic growth, India maintains only a negligible share of the global market.

The Minister noted that the worldwide toy industry is valued at approximately $120 billion, yet India's current market penetration stands between 0.2 and 0.3 percent. He stated that while toy exports have seen strong past performance, the sector now needs to aim for massive scaling.

Ambition Rises as Export Growth Target Set​

Goyal pointed out that Indian toy exports have grown by 239 per cent over the preceding four years. However, he stressed that this past success is not enough. Manufacturers must aspire toward a tenfold increase from current levels in the next four years to capture a larger slice of the global market.

To achieve this goal, Goyal urged industry participants to aggressively leverage India's recent international agreements. He noted that the government has finalized nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) over the last three-and-a-half years. These FTAs offer manufacturers direct access to developed international markets.

Manufacturers were specifically instructed to send delegations targeting all 38 countries covered by these FTAs. Engagement with local industries, e-commerce companies, and supermarkets worldwide was also called upon to globalize their products.

Government Assures QCOs Will Not Be Relaxed​

In a firm defense of the government’s regulatory framework, Minister Goyal strongly assured the industry that mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs) will remain in place indefinitely. He dismissed demands from some players seeking the removal of these regulations.

"I can assure you that until I am there, no one will remove QCOs," Goyal stated. "QCO will be there. We will also protect you from unfair dumping from any nation." This strong endorsement comes following the introduction of the Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026, which allowed a temporary compliance route without diluting mandatory standards.

The mandate for quality is rooted in long-standing regulations. Mandatory QCOs have been in effect since the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020. This framework requires both domestically manufactured and imported toys to adhere to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) safety norms and carry the ISI mark.

Focusing on Quality and Strategic Partnerships​

Minister Goyal directed manufacturers to invest significantly in modern machinery and heighten their focus on product quality standards. He proposed a collaborative public-private partnership to establish a Centre of Excellence. This center would provide advanced facilities for both design and product testing, thereby aiding overall sector advancement.

The Minister also reinforced that the success of foreign toy makers is fundamentally driven by quality, not by any inherent advantage gained from market access.

Looking ahead, the government is actively pursuing further global trade links. The proposed India-New Zealand FTA is expected to become effective this year. Furthermore, negotiations are ongoing with several international partners, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and the GCC.