The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is one of the main authorities responsible for product certification in India. For many regulated products, a requirement is initiated by a Quality Control Order (QCO) issued by the appropriate Government ministry or department. A QCO makes it mandatory for products covered by a specific Indian Standard (IS). The two most common BIS routes for domestic and foreign manufacturers are Scheme I and Scheme II. Scheme I is associated with the ISI Mark. Foreign manufacturers obtain a license under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). This scheme generally includes product testing and inspection of the overseas factory. Scheme II is the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which applies to notified electronic and IT products and includes testing and registration of the product with BIS.
BIS is only one part of India’s regulatory system. Additional approvals may also be required depending on the product, such as WPC for wireless products, TEC-MTCTE for telecom equipment, BEE for energy-efficient appliances, EPR for electronics, batteries and plastic packaging.
On this page, you’ll understand:
In India, several products are regulated by Quality Control Orders (QCOs). The product should obtain the relevant certification before it can be manufactured, imported or sold in India once the requirement is implemented.
For domestic and foreign manufacturers, the two most common BIS routes are:
BIS is only one pillar of India’s regulatory structure. Depending on the product, you may also need WPC ETA for wireless products, TEC-MTCTE for telecom equipment, BEE for energy-efficient appliances and EPR for applicable electronics, batteries and plastic packaging.
Depending on the scheme applicable, foreign manufacturers may also be required to have an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) or other Indian representative as part of the certification process. The representative in India is the regulatory bridge and helps with communication, applications and ongoing compliance with the relevant authority.
For a regulated product, compliance is usually defined as:
Before entering the market, you should verify India’s certification and approval requirements if you are:
For foreign manufacturers, the certification or licence usually remains in the name of the manufacturer, but an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) or other required Indian representative may need to be appointed depending on the applicable scheme.
The primary point is to check applicability before testing, production or shipment. Product regulations, QCOs and Indian Standards can change and a product that was not regulated earlier may be subject to a mandatory requirement.
Not sure if your product is covered? Start with your product description, technical specifications, HS code and place of manufacture. These details assist you in finding the appropriate regulation and approval path prior to spending money on testing or initiating the certification process.
India has different approval pathways for different types of products, so it’s important to choose the right one from the beginning. The common categories are listed in the table. The general rule is that MeitY notified electronics go to CRS, other QCO products go to FMCS/ISI and anything with a radio or telecom function also needs a WPC/TEC approval on top.
| Industry / Product Category | Primary Route | Authority | Also May Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics & IT Goods (Mobiles, laptops, LED products, power banks, TVs) | BIS CRS (Scheme-II) | BIS | WPC ETA if wireless |
| Household & Commercial Appliances (QCO 2026, 90+ categories) | BIS FMCS / ISI (Scheme-I) | BIS | BEE star label |
| Wireless & Telecom Equipment | WPC ETA + TEC-MTCTE | WPC & TEC | BIS CRS if also notified |
| Solar & Energy Products | BIS + BEE | BIS & BEE | – |
| Building & Construction Materials (Steel, cement, fittings) | BIS FMCS / ISI | BIS | – |
| Toys | BIS ISI | BIS | – |
| Chemicals & Polymers | BIS FMCS / ISI | BIS | – |
| Packaging, Electronics & Batteries | EPR Registration | CPCB | BIS, if applicable |
One of the biggest mistakes is selecting the wrong certification scheme. CRS and FMCS are different paths and a product that is covered under the MeitY CRS list shall not be certified again under appliances QCO. Always check the correct scheme and the exact Indian Standard (IS) before going into testing. Send us your product details and HS code and we will map the correct route.
Covers electronics and IT products requiring BIS-recognised testing, registration and use of the Standard Mark with an allocated R-number.
Allows foreign manufacturers of ISI-covered products to obtain a BIS licence through product testing, overseas factory inspection and AIR.
WPC frequency approval and TEC-MTCTE certification based on the functions and classification of the product, covering wireless, RF and notified telecom equipment.
Includes energy rated appliances and relevant solar products through BEE efficiency labelling and ALMM listing requirements for eligible solar projects in India.
Requires eligible producers, importers and brand owners to register with CPCB and meet ongoing recycling, collection and reporting obligations in India.
All the above certificates are issued by the designated Indian authority. Markek will be your Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) and will take care of the entire process. We do not provide the certificate ourselves, we help you to obtain it
Follow these six steps to simplify the process of importing
and selling products in the Indian market. The first two
steps are especially important because mistakes at this
stage can delay the entire certification process.
We identify the applicable QCO, determine the relevant
IS number, and select the appropriate certification scheme,
such as BIS CRS, FMCS/ISI, or another applicable scheme.
Getting this step right helps prevent delays and
unnecessary compliance issues.
We act as your Authorized Indian Representative (AIR),
serving as your legal point of contact with BIS and
supporting your compliance responsibilities in India.
Product samples are tested at a BIS-recognized and
applicable NABL-accredited laboratory. We help match
your product with the appropriate testing facility
because reports from an unsuitable laboratory may not
be accepted.
We submit the application through the BIS portal.
For FMCS, BIS may conduct a factory audit at the
overseas manufacturing location. BIS CRS generally
follows a registration process without a routine
factory audit.
BIS issues the registration number (R-number) for
BIS CRS and grants a licence for applicable FMCS/ISI
products. Once approved, the relevant Standard Mark
or ISI Mark is applied according to BIS requirements.
After certification, applicable surveillance and
renewal requirements must be fulfilled. We support
your AIR responsibilities and help coordinate
ongoing compliance obligations.
BIS issues the certificate, not us. However, selecting
the right scheme, using the appropriate laboratory,
and maintaining a working AIR are essential for a
properly coordinated application. That coordination
is where we support you.
For BIS (CRS and FMCS):
Additionally, by route:
The exact set depends on the scheme and the product. We confirm it at the applicability stage so nothing stalls the application or the audit.
Timeline – CRS generally takes around 3-4 weeks after testing and a factory audit is not required. FMCS takes longer than that, varies from weeks to a few months because it includes a factory audit at the factory location abroad. TEC-MTCTE, EPR and WPC timelines also vary.
Validity – CRS registration is valid for 2 years and renewable required before expiry. FMCS/ISI licenses are for a fixed term and are renewed under ongoing surveillance. Lapsing is serious It is an offence under the BIS Act, 2016 to sell a product with an expired BIS registration or mark.
The Authorized Indian Representative – the requirement that lets you enter the Indian market.
A foreign manufacturer cannot deal with BIS directly. It must appoint an AIR, and this role is more than a mere requirement:
Selecting an experienced, responsive, accountable AIR is a significant compliance decision. As a Gurugram-based accredited body, Markek acts as your AIR and carries this responsibility for you, which is why our clients deal with one Indian partner rather than a chain of intermediaries.
India’s certification net is widening faster than in any market in this series. Two changes stand out.
| Date | Change | Who It Affects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun 2026 | FMCS moves to all-digital. No paper applications accepted; all filings through the Manak online portal. | Every foreign manufacturer applying under FMCS. |
| 1 Oct 2026 | QCO 2026 makes BIS/ISI certification mandatory for 90+ categories of household, commercial and industrial electrical appliances. | Appliance and equipment makers across many sectors. |
| Ongoing | QCO expansion continues in all sectors, with new products being added to CRS and FMCS regularly. | Potentially any manufacturer. Check product applicability. |
The appliances QCO is the trap of 2026. Its 90+ categories go far beyond traditional consumer electronics into commercial and industrial equipment, so companies that never thought of themselves as “appliance” makers are being drawn in. If you sell anything electrical into India, check your category against the QCO now, don’t wait for Q4.
Cost includes BIS/ authority fees, laboratory testing and the factory audit where you apply, and the AIR and coordination. Even though the total is unpredictable, the drivers are.
| Cost Driver | Effect on Certification Cost |
|---|---|
| Scheme (CRS / FMCS / Scheme-X / Specialist) | FMCS involves a factory audit cost, which CRS generally does not require. The selected scheme is a primary cost variable. |
| Number of Products and Factories | Each product model and factory location may require separate certification, depending on applicable BIS requirements. |
| Testing | Testing is performed at a BIS-recognised, NABL-accredited laboratory, where applicable. Existing test reports may sometimes support the application. |
| Factory Audit (FMCS) | BIS may conduct an audit at the overseas manufacturing facility. Travel and audit-related expenses can represent a significant cost. |
| Number of Schemes | A wireless appliance may require multiple approvals, such as BIS + WPC/TEC + BEE, depending on the product and applicable rules. |
| AIR and Surveillance | Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) support and surveillance-related activities may create ongoing costs throughout the certification validity period. |
Send us your product details, HS code and manufacturing locations, and we will map the schemes and come back with a quote. We do not publish indicative ranges, India’s cost depends too much on scheme and audit scope to make a single number meaningful.
Markek International Certifications is an accredited certification and inspection body — ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC 17020, NABCB-accredited, based in Gurugram, India. For the Indian market, our value is being here: a legally accountable partner on the ground, not an intermediary overseas.
Important: The certificate itself is issued by the relevant Indian authority – BIS, WPC, TEC or CPCB and not issued by Markek. As your Authorised Indian Representative, we help you by managing the entire process end to end so that a foreign manufacturer has one accountable Indian partner to deal with instead of a chain of agents.
Yes, BIS certification is mandatory if your product is covered under a Quality Control Order (QCO) and the product cannot be imported, sold, or distributed without BIS certification. Electronics and IT products are covered under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) and other QCO products are covered under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and carry the ISI Mark. The QCO list is growing all the time, so the safest first step is to test for applicability.
CRS is for listed electronics and IT products, it includes lab testing but no factory audit and results in registration with an R-number. FMCS is for foreign manufacturers of other QCO products, it requires testing and a BIS factory audit at your overseas site, and results in an ISI Mark licence. They are not the same and applying under the wrong one wastes months of time so you have to make sure of the scheme first.
Yes, if you are a foreign manufacturer. A foreign manufacturer does not have direct interaction with BIS, instead, it has to appoint an AIR, which is a legally accountable presence in India, which is the point of contact with BIS, manages the portal and carries regulatory responsibility. In 2026, BIS has increased monitoring of the AIR’s role, so selecting an experienced, accountable AIR is a real compliance decision. Markek acts as AIR for its clients.
CRS is usually about 3-5 weeks after testing, no factory audit required. FMCS takes longer, often several weeks to a few months, because it also includes a factory audit at your overseas facility. That’s why you should get FMCS started long before you plan to go to market. Telecom and EPR routes are on their own time frames.
The registration on the CRS is valid for two years and needs to be renewed before expiry. An FMCS/ISI licence is issued for a set period of time and renewed under continued BIS oversight. Selling a product with an expired BIS registration/mark is an offence under the BIS Act, 2016. Hence, renewals should be planned well in advance of the expiry date.
Yes. For every device with a radio function, WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is required and notified telecom equipment requires TEC certification under MTCTE, which is separate from BIS. The product also requires CRS if it is on the CRS list. Internationally recognised CE/FCC reports usually serve as supporting proof for wireless approvals.
Extended Producer Responsibility covers producers, importers and brand owners of plastic packaging, electronic goods and batteries. You have to register for EPR with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and meet the collection and recycling targets. It’s a separate requirement from product certification and often catches importers out, so it should be considered alongside your BIS work.
Two things to note. FMCS is fully digital as of 1 June 2026, no paper applications are accepted and everything is via the Manak online portal. An appliances QCO will make BIS/ISI certification mandatory for over 90 categories of household, commercial and industrial electrical appliances from October 1, 2026, bringing in many companies that never considered themselves appliance makers.
They are either detained or refused by customs, and foreign factories that ship regulated products without BIS certification often face 30 to 60 days of shipment detention, warehousing costs and possible refusal. Certification and AIR appointment take time, so they need to be done before shipment, an uncertified product cannot be regularized quickly at the port.
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