November 27, 2025

BIS ISI Certification in India

BIS ISI Certification

Quick Answer

Quick Summary

BIS ISI Certification is a product certification mandatory for certain products sold or manufactured in India. It confirms that the product meets the applicable Indian Standard and, once approved, allows the manufacturer to use the ISI Mark under a BIS license. Not every product requires BIS certification. Whether it is mandatory depends on the product category, specifications and regulations applicable to it now. Before starting, we must answer three questions. ● What Indian Standard is applicable for the product? ● Is BIS certification mandatory? ● How do I get certified? Manufacturers, importers, or sellers of goods requiring BIS certification could face non-compliance, reduced market access, product detention, or other regulatory action if they make, import, or sell such goods in India without a BIS licence. Markek is helping manufacturers answer these questions first and then supporting them with relevant certification process management. Not sure if your product is BIS eligible? Check your product applicability with Markek before you begin.

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 the quality, safety and performance requirements for different products.

The Standard Mark under the BIS Scheme I is called the ISI Mark. This means that when a manufacturer has obtained a BIS licence for a particular product, that product falls under the scope of that licence and must comply with the relevant Indian Standard.

In simple terms:

BIS is the authority. The ISI Mark is the certification mark applied to products licensed under Scheme I.

When is BIS ISI Certification required?

Scheme I products are covered under BIS ISI Certification. In some products, certification is optional, however, for products that fall under mandatory regulation, the necessary BIS licence is required before the product can be manufactured, imported, or sold in India, as applicable.

The exact requirement is dependent on the product, product specifications, applicable Indian Standard and current regulatory requirements.

What does BIS check during certification?

Obtaining BIS certification is more than simply submitting documents. The process can include reviewing, depending upon the product and requirements:

Conformity of product to the relevant Indian Standard
Manufacturing plants and processes
Quality control procedures
Testing facilities and equipment
Testing products
Evaluation of the factory
Specific BIS requirements for the product

The BIS licence is associated with the manufacturer, manufacturing location, product, and approved certification scope.

That’s why the first thing you should not do is fill out an application. It should be confirming what your product is, what Indian Standard applies and whether BIS certification is required.

Is BIS ISI Certification Mandatory?

No, BIS certification is not mandatory for every product in India.

However, the Central Government may make the compliance of an Indian Standard compulsory by a Quality Control Order (QCO) or other regulatory notification.

Where a product is subject to a mandatory requirement, the manufacturer shall comply with the relevant standard and certification conditions before supplying the regulated product conforming to that requirement.

BIS applicability can depend on:

Product type
Materials and build quality
Technical specifications
Purpose
Applicable Indian Standard
Applicable QCO
Implementation date
Certification scheme

Two similar commercial products may fall under different standards because the construction, material, performance, or intended application is different. Hence, the applicability needs to be checked before testing, import, manufacture for the Indian market, or filing a BIS application.

Markek can review your product catalogue and technical details to help determine the correct requirement.

Regulatory Framework

Who Needs BIS ISI Certification?

Scheme I certification is primarily granted to the manufacturer of the product.

It may be applicable for:

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

Additionally, a BIS licence is linked to a particular manufacturing site and approved product scope. The importer or brand owner may coordinate the project, but the actual manufacturing arrangement must be correctly identified.

Foreign manufacturers usually follow the appropriate Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) standard procedure for products covered by BIS requirements.
For overseas manufacturing projects, see Markek’s dedicated BIS FMCS Certification service for foreign manufacturers.

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

This list is only indicative. The regulatory status of a product may change with the notification of new QCOs or the amendment, deferral, supersession, or withdrawal of existing requirements.

A product may also 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.

BIS ISI Certification Process

The BIS ISI certification process can differ from one product to another, but generally it includes the following steps:

Identify the Product & IS Standard: Check product category, specifications and the correct Indian Standard (IS) which is applicable for products.
Check BIS Applicability: Identify whether BIS certification is compulsory or voluntary, and 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 application routes:

Normal Process – The application is submitted first. BIS does the factory evaluation and the necessary product testing as per applicability.

Simplified Process – The manufacturer needs to first undergo the product testing and submit the test reports along with the application. Then BIS moves ahead with the factory inspection and further assessment.

Submit the BIS Application: Submit the required documents, factory details, product information and certification scope through the applicable BIS portal.
Product Testing & Factory Inspection: The product is tested against the relevant Indian Standard and BIS evaluates the manufacturing facility, quality control and testing capability.
BIS Review and Issuance of License: BIS may grant the licence for use of ISI Mark for the approved scope of product on satisfactory completion of testing, factory assessment and other requirements.
Maintain BIS Compliance: The BIS requirements related to marking, testing, records, surveillance and licence maintenance are applicable even after certification and the manufacturer is required to continuously meet these requirements.

Markek supports manufacturers throughout the entire process from determining the right requirement and preparing the application, to testing coordination, factory readiness and post-certification support.

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

The precise checklist should be prepared after the scope of the product and the scope of certification are confirmed. The checklist for one product need not be the checklist for another.

Markek provides product-specific documentation guidance based on the applicable BIS requirement.

BIS ISI Certification Cost

There is no fixed BIS certification cost for every product. The total cost depends on the applicable Indian Standard (IS), product category, certification scope and testing requirements. Higher costs may apply for multiple models, grades or varieties, extensive lab testing, additional factory inspection requirements or foreign manufacturing locations covered under FMCS.

The overall BIS certification 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

Product category determines the marking fees, testing charges and inspection-related costs. Depending on FMCS requirements and factory location, foreign manufacturers may also face additional costs. An accurate BIS certification cost estimate can therefore be prepared only after reviewing the product, applicable IS standard, certification scope, testing requirements and manufacturing location.

Request a product-specific BIS cost assessment from Markek.

How Long Does BIS ISI Certification Take?

There is no guaranteed timeline that applies to every BIS certification project.

The overall duration can depend on:

Application route
Factory readiness
Testing requirements
Availability of samples
Inspection scheduling
Application completeness
Response to queries
Product non-conformities
Corrective action or retesting

BIS publishes indicative processing timelines for the different Scheme I application options, but these should not be treated as guaranteed project completion periods. Manufacturers that confirm the correct standard, prepare the factory and complete the documentation prior to filing are in a better position to avoid delays.

Markek can provide an indicative project roadmap after reviewing your product and factory readiness.

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?
Prior to testing or submitting the BIS application, check the specifications, construction, and use of the product.

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, 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.

A product-level applicability and readiness review before filing can help prevent many of these issues. This is one of the main reasons Markek recommends starting with an applicability review.

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. This 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 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 and 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.