BIS Product Certification Schemes
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India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) operates national quality-certification programs to ensure products meet Indian Standards. BIS operates under the BIS Act, 2016 (effective Oct 2017) and implements Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to mandate certification of safety-critical goods. Under Section 16 of the BIS Act, the government (DPIIT and line ministries) issues QCOS identifying products that must carry the BIS Standard Mark under a valid BIS license or registration. In practice, there are two main compulsory schemes:
- Scheme I-ISI Mark (Product Certification Scheme): Applies to notified industrial and consumer products (cement, steel, appliances, etc.). Manufacturers (Indian or foreign) must obtain a BIS license to use the “ISI” Standard Mark.
- Scheme II-Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS):Applies mainly to specified electronics/IT and solar products. Manufacturers (India or abroad) must register with BIS on a self-declaration basis after lab testing.
hese schemes require strict compliance: no manufacturer, importer, distributor or retailer may make, sell or import a regulated product unless it is BIS-certified. The BIS mark is thus a legal requirement and a symbol of quality. (For example, products like aluminium foil, pressure cookers, helmets, water heaters, cables and toys all require BIS certification.)
Scheme I: ISI Mark Certification (License Scheme)
Who needs ISI certification? All manufacturers of notified products under Scheme I must hold a valid BIS license to apply the Standard Mark. This includes domestic Indian producers and foreign manufacturers (via FMCS, explained below). Importers and traders cannot sell these goods in India unless they are sourced from BIS-licensed manufacturers. Common mandatory categories include construction and materials (e.g. all types of cement, steel bars, building components), household electrical appliances and accessories (fans, motors, wires, cables, switches, circuitbreakers, appliances such as irons and heaters), batteries, certain chemicals and food ingredients, and other safetyrelated goods.
Regulatory basis. Under QCOs such as the Cement (Quality Control) Order, 2003 or Electrical Goods (QCO, 2003), Scheme I products must conform to the relevant Indian Standard and bear the BIS
Standard Mark (ISI mark) under a BIS license. BIS follows the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 for implementation.
Certification Process (Scheme I)
- Product testing. The manufacturer must have product samples tested to the applicable Indian Standard in a BIS laboratory or an authorized lab.
- Application submission. Submit an online application (via the BIS portal) with required documents and fees.
- Document review. BIS checks completeness of the file; applicants must promptly answer any queries.
- Factory audit. BIS arranges a visit to the manufacturing plant. The audit verifies production capability, quality controls and in-house testing facilities. Samples are also drawn for independent
BIS testing. - Grant of license. If both the audit report and sample test results meet the Indian Standard, BIS issues a License to use the ISI Standard Mark. The license (numbered CM/L-XXXXX) is valid for a fixed period (typically 1–5 years, depending on category) and must be renewed before expiry. The certified products may then be marked with the ISI mark and license number as per BIS marking rules.
Required Documents (Scheme I)
Applicants must furnish detailed documentation about the product and factory. Typical required documents include:
- Application form and fees receipt. Form as specified by BIS (Form – I or VI) and proof of payment
- Company and factory registration. Business registration certificate, factory permit, ISO/QMS certificates (if any).
- Product details. Bill of materials/raw materials list, product specifications/brochures, process flowcharts, list of equipment and manufacturing facilities.
- Quality control documents.Quality manual, scheme of testing & inspection (SIT) compliance statement, and records of in-house testing.
- Test reports Original test reports (or validation test reports) of product samples from BIS-recognized labs.
- Samples. Free sample of the product for auditing/testing (if required by BIS).
- Other. Shop-floor photos, site layout, copies of relevant licences or approvals.
Foreign applicants also submit:
- AIR nomination. Completed nomination form and AIR’s consent (as per BIS guidelines).
- Letter of undertaking. Affidavit accepting the FMCS SIT and marking fee requirements. (The exact checklist may vary by product; applicants are advised to follow the BIS checklist accompanying the online Form VI or consult the Guidelines for Grant of Licence).
Labeling and Post-Certification Obligations
Once certified, licensees must affix the BIS Standard Mark (ISI mark) on every unit or its label as prescribed. The mark must include the BIS logo, the relevant IS number, and the license number (e.g. “ISI CM/L‑1234567”) in legible permanent form. The font and size must comply with BIS marking guidelines (usually no less than 6pt and durable for the product’s life).
License holders have ongoing obligations under BIS Scheme I:
Scheme of Inspection & Testing (SIT). Maintain internal quality checks as per the approved SIT, and retain production/test records.
Surveillance audits. BIS conducts periodic factory inspections or sample audits (often annually) to verify compliance. Licensees must bear marking fees for every year of license, as prescribed by BIS
Surveillance audits. BIS conducts periodic factory inspections or sample audits (often annually) to verify compliance. Licensees must bear marking fees for every year of license, as prescribed by BIS.
Renewal. The license must be renewed before expiry. BIS audits the renewal (usually less intensive) and issues renewal for another term. In practice, BIS licenses under Scheme I require renewal every 1–3 years.
Change reporting. Any major changes in factory location, product design, or sub-contracting must be reported to BIS for inclusion or re-approval.
Prohibition. BIS standard mandates that no person shall make, sell, or import Scheme I products without a valid BIS license. Violations attract penalties under the BIS Act.
Common Scheme I products: For illustration, Scheme I currently covers hundreds of products. Examples include all varieties of cement (ordinary Portland, pozzolana, slag, etc.), household electrical goods (wires/cables, switches, circuit-breakers, fans, irons, water heaters), electrical accessories (circuits, RCBOs, relays), dry-cell batteries, and others. (See the List of Notified BIS Products for a complete catalogue.)
Scheme II: Compulsory Registration (CRS)
Who needs CRS registration? Scheme II is a self-certification regime for electronics, IT and solar products. It was established by the Electronics and IT Goods (Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 and related QCOs. Under these orders, manufacturers of specified electronic/IT equipment and solar PV components must register with BIS. This applies to producers in India or abroad. In practice, importers of such goods must ensure that their products come from an Indian or foreign manufacturer holding a valid BIS registration certificate for CRS. Key products under CRS include consumer electronics and IT hardware (such as laptops, tablets, TVs, audio players, microwaves, monitors, scanners, telephones and similar appliances), certain lighting equipment, and solar photovoltaic modules/systems. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy also added many solar photovoltaic products via the Solar Photovoltaics (Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017. Additional categories (e.g. some heavy electrical equipment) may be included via newer QCOs. (A comprehensive list of CRS product categories is maintained by MeitY and BIS.)
Regulatory basis. Under the CRS orders, “no person shall manufacture, sell, import, distribute” these goods unless they conform to the specified Indian Standard and bear a BIS registration marking. Accordingly, after product testing, the manufacturer applies for BIS registration under Scheme II. The certification is based on self-declaration of conformity rather than on a full audit.
Registration Process (Scheme II)
The CRS application process is largely paperless and based on supplier declarations. Key steps are: Product testing. Obtain original test reports of the product(s) in a BIS-recognized laboratory (India or abroad, as per CRS rules).
Online application. Apply online (BIS Form VI) and upload all required documents and test reports.
Authorized Indian Rep & affidavits. Foreign manufacturers (without an Indian office) must nominate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) and submit the prescribed AIR nomination form. All applicants (foreign or domestic) must furnish a notarized affidavit (Format C for domestic, Format A/B for foreign/AIR) undertaking compliance with CRS terms.
Fees. Pay the applicable registration fee (according to the published BIS fee schedule).
Documentation. Submit Form VI online along with: test reports, copy of test lab accreditation, details of the product, brand/labeling info, the AIR documents (if any), affidavits, and other attachments (e.g. company registration proof, product brochures). A hard copy of the entire application must be sent to BIS within 15 days of online submission.
Application review. BIS verifies the application and reports any deficiencies online. Applicants must promptly rectify any comments or submit missing info.
Grant of registration. Once BIS is satisfied, it issues a Registration Certificate and a unique “R‑number” for that product/brand. The certificate is initially valid for 2 years. Registered firms can then immediately label their products accordingly and begin marketing.
According to BIS statistics, the CRS registration is generally much faster than Scheme I licensing –
typically granted within 15–20 working days if all docs are correct.
Required Documents (Scheme II)
Scheme II documentation is simpler than Scheme I. Key requirements include:
- Test report. Original report from a BIS-approved lab for each product model (mandatory)
- Form VI application. Duly filled online application form.
- Certificates of incorporation. Company registration, factory license.
- Business authorization.
- Affidavits/undertakings. As noted above (AIR nomination, Format A/B/C)
- Marketing details. Brand/trademark registration proof, product description or photographs. Fee payment
Applicants should consult the BIS CRS checklist (available on the BIS website) for the complete list of
attachments. (Note: CRS does not require an initial factory audit, and marking fees are nominal.)
Labeling and Compliance (CRS)
Under Scheme II, certified products may display either the BIS Standard Mark for CRS or the words “Self Declaration – Conforming to IS [standard]” along with the BIS registration number. BIS notified a special “Registration Scheme” logo (standard mark) in 2015, but use of that logo is optional if the above text is used. In all cases, the mark or text must appear on the product or its packaging in a conspicuous and indelible manner.
CRS registrations have ongoing obligations too:
Duration. A CRS registration is valid for 2 years from grant.
Renewal. Registrants must apply for renewal before expiry (Form VI online, plus abridged documents). Renewal certificates are also issued for 2-year terms.
Scope extensions. To add new models or brands, registered manufacturers file for “inclusion” under the existing certificate.
Marking Fee. A small annual fee is payable to BIS to maintain the registration.
Labeling. All manufactured/imported units must carry the approved mark or text above. Misuse or incorrect marking is subject to enforcement.
Common Scheme II Products
Scheme II currently covers many consumer electronics and related goods. Notable examples include mobile phones, laptops, tablets, desktop PCs, LED TVs, audio/video players, printers, scanners, monitors, amplifiers, microwave ovens, electric kettles, and certain lightings. Solar photovoltaic modules and cells are also included under the MNRE order. (A full list of CRS products is available in the official notifications and on BIS/MeitY websites.)
For instance, BIS has published tables under the 2012 Order listing Audio/Video apparatus (IS 616), Information Technology Equipment (IS 13252), microwave ovens (IS 302-2-25), amplifiers (IS 616), etc. – the minimum standards for each are specified by IS number. Manufacturers should check the latest “Electronics and IT Goods (Compulsory Registration) Order” and “Solar PV Registration Order” to confirm applicability.
Renewal. The license must be renewed before expiry. BIS audits the renewal (usually less intensive) and issues renewal for another term. In practice, BIS licenses under Scheme I require renewal every 1–3 years.
Relevant Laws and Resources
BIS certification is governed by the BIS Act, 2016 and the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Section 16 of the BIS Act empowers the central government (DPIIT and sectoral ministries) to issue QCOs making BIS mark mandatory. For example, the Electronics and IT Goods (Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 (MeitY) and the Solar Photovoltaics (Registration) Order, 2017 (MNRE) brought products under Scheme II, while various QCOs from DPIIT cover Scheme I products. The full text of all relevant orders and current BIS notifications can be found on the BIS website or the India Gazette.
Downloadable Resources: For convenience, interested parties may refer to the following documents (placeholders):
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- List of Notified BIS Products (PDF) (complete list of Scheme I items)
- CRS Product Categories (the electronic/IT goods covered under registration)
- BIS QCO Notifications (DPIIT and ministry orders mandating BIS certification)
Each of the above is typically available on official BIS or government websites for the latest information
