India Boosts Toy Sector with New Testing Hubs to Conquer Global Markets

The Indian government is setting up modern toy testing facilities across its manufacturing hubs to help local producers meet strict international standards and dramatically boost exports. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Saturday at the 17th Toy Biz International B2B Exhibition 2026 in New Delhi that these state-of-the-art labs, supported by bodies like the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), are key to making 'Made in India' toys globally competitive. The aim is not just to ensure safety for children but also to capture a bigger slice of the estimated $120 billion global toy market. This move builds on significant progress already made, with India's toy exports surging by 239 percent and imports dropping by 32 percent in the last four years, thanks to initiatives like Make in India and the National Toy Action Plan. The new facilities will enable Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the more than 50 existing toy clusters to comply with global quality standards like ISO 8124, which are crucial for market access in regions like Europe and the US. Minister Goyal stressed that Quality Control Orders (QCOs) will remain in place to protect domestic manufacturers from unfair dumping and urged the industry to leverage Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) for better market access. Looking ahead, the government envisions India's toy exports increasing tenfold in the next four years, targeting a 5 percent share of the global market within six years. Manufacturers are encouraged to adopt advanced technologies such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and CNC machining, and the establishment of Centres of Excellence through public-private partnerships is also on the cards. With the India-UK Free Trade Agreement expected to become operational on July 15, 2026, and ongoing FTA talks with other nations, the stage is set for Indian toys to truly go global.