IS Standard + Factory Audit
Technical foundation
BIS ISI Certification in India
BIS ISI Certification
Global Market Access India BIS ISI
BIS ISI Certification for India (Product Certification Scheme)
For products covered by a Quality Control Order (QCO) requiring the ISI Mark, manufacturers must obtain a BIS Scheme I licence before manufacture, import, sale or distribution in India once the order takes effect. The route combines testing against the applicable Indian Standard (IS), a BIS factory inspection and assessment of production and quality controls, and a licence (CM/L number) to use the ISI Mark. Foreign manufacturers certify under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
ISI Mark + CM/L Licence
Certification outcome
QCO-Notified Products
Current mandatory scope
Scope is defined by the Quality Control Orders issued by the relevant ministries and can change as products are added, revised or exempted. Timelines vary by product, factory readiness and the completeness of the application and test documentation.
Quick Summary
At a Glance
BIS ISI Certification in India, Briefly
BIS ISI Certification is product certification under BIS Scheme I. It is mandatory for certain products manufactured or sold in India when an applicable Quality Control Order requires the ISI Mark. It confirms conformity to the relevant Indian Standard and, once BIS grants a licence, allows the manufacturer to use the ISI Mark.
Not every product requires mandatory BIS certification. The requirement depends on the current product category, technical specifications and applicable regulation.
Three questions to answer before starting
- Which Indian Standard applies to the product?
- Is BIS ISI certification mandatory for it?
- How do I get certified?
How Markek helps: We help manufacturers answer these questions first, then support the relevant certification process.
Not sure if your product is in scope? Check its BIS applicability before you begin.
Check My Product ApplicabilityOverview
What Is BIS ISI Certification?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India. It develops Indian Standards (IS) that define quality, safety and performance requirements for different products.
The Standard Mark used under BIS Scheme I is the ISI Mark. When BIS grants a manufacturer a licence for a product, the manufacturer may apply the mark to products within the approved licence scope that comply with the relevant Indian Standard.
In simple terms
- BIS
- The authority that develops standards and grants product-certification licences.
- ISI Mark
- The certification mark applied to products licensed under Scheme I.
When Is BIS ISI Certification Required?
Scheme I certification is voluntary for some products. For products covered by an applicable mandatory regulation, the required BIS licence must be in place before manufacture, import or sale in India, as applicable.
The exact route depends on the product, its specifications, the applicable Indian Standard and current regulatory requirements.
What Does BIS Check During Certification?
BIS certification involves more than submitting documents. Depending on the product and applicable requirements, the assessment can include:
- Product conformity with the relevant Indian Standard
- Manufacturing plant and processes
- Quality-control procedures
- Testing facilities and equipment
- Product testing
- Factory evaluation
- Product-specific BIS requirements
The BIS licence is associated with the manufacturer, manufacturing location, product and approved certification scope.
Applicability
Is BIS ISI Certification Mandatory?
No.
BIS certification is not mandatory for every product in India.
The Central Government may make compliance with an Indian Standard compulsory through a Quality Control Order (QCO) or another regulatory notification.
Where a product is subject to a mandatory requirement, the manufacturer must meet the relevant standard and certification conditions before manufacturing for sale, importing or selling that regulated product in India, as applicable.
BIS applicability can depend on
- Product type
- Materials and build quality
- Technical specifications
- Intended purpose
- Applicable Indian Standard
- Applicable QCO
- Implementation date
- Certification scheme
Markek can review your product catalogue and technical details to help determine the correct requirement.
Who Needs It
Who Needs BIS ISI Certification?
Scheme I certification is primarily granted to the manufacturer of the product. It may be relevant to:
- Indian manufacturers of regulated products
- Manufacturers covered by a new or existing QCO
- Businesses launching regulated products in India
- Brand owners sourcing products from third-party manufacturers
- Importers working with overseas manufacturers
- Foreign manufacturers exporting regulated products to India
Foreign manufacturers
Foreign manufacturers of applicable Scheme I products follow the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). For overseas manufacturing projects, see Markek’s dedicated BIS FMCS Certification service for foreign manufacturers.
Products & Scope
Products Covered Under BIS ISI Certification
Scheme I covers a wide range of products. Common regulated categories may include:
- Steel and metal products
- Cement and construction materials
- Footwear
- Furniture
- Plywood and wood-based products
- Cables and wires
- Electrical appliances
- Pumps and industrial equipment
- Household products
- Chemicals and industrial materials
- Safety-related products
Check the exact product requirements
A product may have its own:
- Indian Standard
- BIS Product Manual
- Testing requirements
- Scheme of Inspection and Testing
- Product grouping guidelines
- Marking requirements
- Scope conditions
Cannot find your product in a general BIS list?
Share the product name, catalogue, specifications and manufacturing location with Markek for an applicability review.
Process
BIS ISI Certification Process
The BIS ISI certification process can differ from one product to another, but generally includes the following steps:
-
Identify the Product & IS Standard
Check the product category, specifications and correct Indian Standard (IS) applicable to the product.
-
Check BIS Applicability
Identify whether BIS certification is compulsory or voluntary and confirm the applicable regulatory requirements.
-
Prepare the Factory
Review the manufacturing unit, quality controls, testing equipment, calibration and required documentation.
-
Choose the Applicable Application Route
BIS Scheme I provides two grant-of-licence options. The route depends on the product and applicant eligibility.
Option 1 Normal process
Submit the application first. BIS then evaluates the factory and establishes product conformity through the applicable testing route.
Option 2 Simplified process
For eligible domestic applications, obtain the required product test report before applying. BIS then conducts the factory visit and further assessment.
Foreign manufacturers: BIS’s current Scheme I grant-of-licence guidelines process foreign applications under Option 1, not Option 2.
-
Submit the BIS Application
Submit the required documents, factory details, product information and certification scope through the applicable BIS portal.
-
Product Testing & Factory Inspection
Establish conformity with the relevant Indian Standard while BIS evaluates the manufacturing facility, quality controls and testing capability. The sequence depends on the selected option.
-
BIS Review & Licence Decision
After satisfactory testing, factory assessment and review, BIS may grant a licence to use the ISI Mark for the approved product scope.
-
Maintain BIS Compliance
Continue to meet marking, testing, recordkeeping, surveillance and licence-maintenance requirements after certification.
Regulatory Framework
Documentation
Documents Required for BIS ISI Certification
The documents required for BIS certification depend on the product, factory and applicable Indian Standard.
Typical requirements may include
- Company and factory registration details
- Manufacturing location
- Product specifications
- Manufacturing process
- Machinery details
- Testing equipment
- Calibration records
- Quality-control arrangements
- Technical personnel details
- Raw material information
- Brand or trademark details
- Test reports, where applicable
- Authorised signatory information
- Required declarations and undertakings
Markek provides product-specific documentation guidance based on the applicable BIS requirement.
Cost
BIS ISI Certification Cost
There is no fixed BIS certification cost for every product. The total depends on the applicable Indian Standard (IS), product category, certification scope and testing requirements.
What can change the total?
Costs may increase with multiple models, grades or varieties, extensive laboratory testing, additional factory inspections or a foreign manufacturing location covered under FMCS.
The overall cost may include
- BIS application and inspection charges
- Product testing and laboratory fees
- Annual licence fee
- Product-specific marking fee
- Consultancy or professional support charges
Request a product-specific BIS cost assessment from Markek.
Timeline
How Long Does BIS ISI Certification Take?
There is no guaranteed timeline that applies to every BIS certification project.
What affects the overall duration?
- Application route
- Factory readiness
- Testing requirements
- Availability of samples
- Inspection scheduling
- Application completeness
- Response to queries
- Product non-conformities
- Corrective action or retesting
Markek can provide an indicative project roadmap after reviewing your product and factory readiness.
Common challenges
Common Challenges in BIS ISI Certification
Many BIS certification delays begin with small mistakes made before or during the application. Some common challenges manufacturers face are:
-
Not sure which Indian Standard applies to your product?
Before testing or submitting the BIS application, check the product’s specifications, construction and intended use.
-
Application submitted with incomplete or inconsistent documents?
Prepare a product-specific document checklist and ensure factory, technical and application details match.
-
Factory not ready for BIS inspection?
Review manufacturing machinery, testing facilities, calibration, quality control and technical personnel before assessment.
-
Product failed BIS testing?
Identify the non-conforming test parameters, take corrective action and complete retesting where required.
-
Unsure which models, grades or varieties can be covered under one licence?
Define the certification scope and check the applicable product grouping requirements before testing.
-
Not sure whether BIS certification is mandatory for your product?
Check the applicable Indian Standard, Quality Control Order (QCO) and certification scheme before starting the process.
-
BIS application taking longer than expected?
Review pending documents, testing, inspection observations, queries and fees to identify what is holding up the application.
-
Planning to import or sell the product before confirming BIS applicability?
Complete the regulatory applicability review first to avoid compliance and market-access issues.
Markek support
How Markek Helps With BIS ISI Certification
Markek follows a product-first approach to BIS certification. Before starting with forms or documents, we first understand the product, applicable standard, certification requirement, scope and factory readiness.
Based on this assessment, Markek can support with:
- BIS applicability and IS identification
- QCO and certification route review
- Product and factory readiness assessment
- Product-specific document preparation
- Testing and lab coordination
- Scope, model and variant review
- Factory inspection preparation
- Support in responding to BIS observations and queries
- Coordination through the certification process
- Post-certification compliance guidance
Very different requirements may exist for footwear, furniture, steel, plywood or electrical products. That is why Markek is not a one-size-fits-all company. We design the certification plan around your product, factory and applicable BIS requirements.
Why Markek
Why Choose Markek for BIS Certification?
BIS certification involves more than documentation. It requires the right understanding of the product, applicable standard, testing requirements, factory setup and certification route.
Markek brings these requirements together into a clear, practical certification plan. With Markek, manufacturers benefit from:
- Product-specific compliance guidance instead of a generic approach
- Early identification of regulatory and technical gaps
- Clear coordination across documentation, testing and factory readiness
- Support for both Indian and foreign manufacturers
- Practical guidance at each stage of the BIS certification process
- Clear communication on requirements, next steps and pending actions
Our focus is to identify potential issues before they lead to testing failures, inspection observations or application delays.
Understand the requirement. Prepare correctly. Move through BIS certification with greater clarity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BIS and ISI?
BIS is the Bureau of Indian Standards. The ISI Mark is the Standard Mark used under BIS Scheme I for applicable products.
Is BIS certification mandatory for all products?
No. BIS certification is mandatory only for products that are under the scope of specific regulatory requirements like applicable Quality Control Orders (QCOs).
How do I know whether my product requires BIS certification?
You need to review the product specifications, intended use, applicable Indian Standard, relevant QCO and certification scheme. The product name alone may not be enough.
Markek can review your catalogue and technical specifications to help determine the applicable requirement.
Who can apply for an ISI Mark licence?
Under Scheme I, the licence is granted to the manufacturer for the approved scope of products and manufacturing location, subject to compliance to the requirements of BIS. Importers and brand owners may coordinate compliance, but they cannot replace the correct identification of the actual manufacturer.
Can an importer apply for BIS ISI Certification?
Scheme I certification is manufacturer-based. Where imported products are involved, the relevant foreign manufacturer generally needs to meet the applicable BIS requirements. Foreign manufacturers may need to follow the FMCS route.
Can one BIS licence cover multiple models?
This depends on the applicable Indian Standard, BIS Product Manual, product grouping rules and approved scope. Models, grades, sizes or varieties should therefore be reviewed before the application and testing strategy is finalised.
What happens if a product fails BIS testing?
The manufacturer may need to identify the reason for non-conformity, make corrective changes and complete additional or repeat testing as applicable. Understanding the test requirements before formal testing can reduce this risk.
What documents are required for BIS certification?
Typical documents cover the manufacturer, factory, product specifications, machinery, manufacturing process, testing facilities, calibration, quality controls and technical personnel. The exact list is product-specific.
How much does BIS ISI Certification cost?
There is no universal price. Application and inspection charges, marking fees, testing expenses and professional support vary depending on the product, standard, factory and certification scope.
How long does BIS certification take?
The timeline depends on the product, application route, testing, factory readiness, assessment scheduling and how quickly queries or non-conformities are resolved. Indicative timelines should not be treated as guaranteed completion dates.
Can a foreign manufacturer obtain BIS ISI Certification?
Yes. Foreign manufacturers of applicable products can seek BIS certification through the relevant Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) requirements. The FMCS process has additional considerations specific to overseas factories.
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