BIS ISI Certification in India for Manufacturers
Planning to manufacture or sell a regulated product in India? iKargos helps manufacturers assess BIS applicability, identify the relevant Indian Standard, prepare technical documentation, coordinate product testing and manage the certification process. For overseas manufacturers, we also provide sup
- Indian Standard and product applicability assessment
- Factory readiness and documentation support
- Product testing and inspection coordination
- Domestic Scheme-I and foreign-manufacturer FMCS assistance
Talk to a certification expert
Share your name and number. A certification lead replies within one working day with the applicable process, timeline and fee.
- 6 yearsof trade compliance work
- 10,000+businesses supported
- Noida HQwith on-ground teams at major ports
- Top 100 SMEsIndia SME Awards 2023
What is BIS ISI mark Certification in INDIA
BIS ISI certification is a product certification scheme administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Under Scheme-I of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, manufacturers can obtain a licence to use the applicable Standard Mark on products that conform to the relevant Indian Standard.
The certification process considers more than the finished product alone; it also evaluates the manufacturer's production arrangements, quality controls, testing capabilities and ability to maintain conformity with the applicable requirements.
The ISI Mark is particularly important for products covered by a Quality Control Order (QCO) or another applicable mandatory certification requirement. For these products, the manufacturer must meet the prescribed requirements before manufacturing or supplying the regulated product for the relevant Indian market. However, BIS certification is not compulsory for every product sold in India.
Why should manufacturers check BIS ISI requirements early?
Imagine a manufacturer has finalised a production batch, arranged packaging and confirmed an expected shipment date. The product is commercially ready, but a review reveals that a QCO applies and the manufacturer has not obtained the required BIS licence. The business may then need to address factory-testing arrangements, product evaluation and application formalities before proceeding with the regulated activity.
Benefits of BIS ISI Certification
Obtaining a BIS ISI Mark provides extensive legal compliance, commercial trust, and market dominance:
Statutory Market Authorization
Fulfills mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs), protecting the business from immediate confiscation of goods, severe statutory fines, and prosecution under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016.
Seamless Customs Clearance at Indian Ports
Customs clearance for QCO-notified goods requires verified BIS license numbers on the ICEGATE single window. Consignments without certification are denied port entry and liable for re-export or destruction.
Government Tenders & Institutional Procurement
Public sector undertakings (PSUs), defense procurement, infrastructure projects, and state utility tenders mandate BIS ISI certification as an uncompromised eligibility criterion.
Unquestioned Consumer Trust
The ISI mark is the definitive hallmark of safety, durability, and standard conformity among Indian retail and commercial buyers.
Export & Supply Chain Competitiveness
Elevates manufacturing standards to international benchmarks, opening doors to tier-1 corporate vendor onboarding and global supply chain partnerships.
Support distribution and commercial readiness
Businesses working with channel partners, institutional buyers or regulated supply chains may need to demonstrate that applicable product certification requirements have been met.
Reduce avoidable rework and delays
Incorrect product classification, inconsistent technical documents, unprepared testing facilities or unresolved factory observations can affect the certification timeline.
Who can apply for BIS ISI certification?
The BIS ISI product certification licence is associated with the manufacturer and the applicable product, Indian Standard and manufacturing premises. An importer, distributor or brand owner may coordinate the certification project commercially, but that does not automatically make the business eligible to apply as the manufacturer.
- Domestic Manufacturers: Indian manufacturing facilities producing goods covered under mandatory BIS QCOs.
- Foreign Manufacturers (FMCS): Overseas factories exporting notified goods to India must obtain a BIS license under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
- Brand Owners & Importers: Companies sourcing manufactured products from third-party or contract manufacturing plants must ensure the manufacturing facility holds an active BIS license under the relevant brand name.
- OEM businesses: Businesses selling products under their own brand while using a third-party or overseas factory should establish the applicant and authorisation arrangements before testing starts. The manufacturing unit, brand details, product varieties and supporting declarations all need to align with the applicable BIS requirements.
Major Product Categories Under Mandatory BIS ISI Scheme-I:
BIS certification covers a broad range of industrial and consumer products, but the requirement must be checked at the individual product level. The official Scheme-I directory identifies products and their relevant Indian Standards
Product categories represented in the Scheme-I directory include cement and other building materials, steel and metal products, electrical cables and accessories, specified household and commercial appliances, chemicals, footwear, textiles, furniture and various industrial components.
| CATEGORY | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|
| Steel & Iron Products | Structural steel, TMT rebars, stainless steel plates, steel wire rods, carbon steel billets (IS 2062, IS 1786, IS 6911). |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | Caustic soda, acetic acid, PVC resin, toluene, ethylene glycol, phthalic anhydride. |
| Cables, Conductors & Electrical Accessories | PVC insulated cables, armored cables, circuit breakers, domestic switches, plugs (IS 694, IS 1554). |
| Toys & Safety Goods | Electric and non-electric toys (safety standards IS 9873 parts 1-9 & IS 15644). |
| Building & Construction Materials | Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), structural timber, plywood (IS 269, IS 1489, IS 303). |
| Food & Dairy Products | Infant milk formula, packaged drinking water, mineral water, milk powder (IS 14543, IS 13428, IS 1165). |
| Automotive Tyres, Tubes & Safety Glass | Pneumatic tyres for commercial vehicles, safety glass for road transport (IS 15633, IS 15636, IS 2553). |
How to Apply for BIS ISI Certification Process
BIS certification involves both the product and the manufacturer's ability to maintain conformity during production. The appropriate application procedure depends on the product, its applicable Indian Standard and the route permitted under BIS guidance. The following steps explain the general journey; the exact sequence, documents and testing arrangements must be confirmed against the relevant product manual and current procedure.
- Applicability & Standards Mapping: Identify the exact Indian Standard (IS code), mandatory QCO status, and Scheme of Testing & Inspection (STI) requirements for your product.
- In-House Laboratory Setup & Readiness: Install required testing apparatus in the factory lab, ensure valid calibration, and train testing personnel on IS testing procedures.
- Application Dossier Preparation & Online Filing: Submit the formal application on the BIS Manak Online portal with complete factory details, technical documents, and statutory application fees.
- Pre-Audit Review & Scrutiny: BIS technical officers review the submitted documentation and issue scrutiny remarks if additional clarifications are needed.
- Factory Audit & Sample Drawing: BIS auditor visits the manufacturing facility to inspect production lines, verify in-house testing equipment, witness performance testing, and draw independent audit samples.
- Independent Lab Testing: The drawn samples are sealed and dispatched to a BIS-recognized laboratory for comprehensive testing against the Indian Standard.
- Grant of License (CM/L): Upon receipt of passing test reports and closure of audit observations, BIS issues the License Certificate along with the CM/L number.
- ISI Marking & Market Launch: The manufacturer applies the ISI mark and CM/L number on products, enabling compliant domestic distribution and seamless customs clearance.
Documents Required for BIS ISI Certification:
- Main Application Form: Primary factory and product category information.
- ISI Application Fee: Copy of Remittance / Payment Advice.
- Copy of Test Report done within a month by internal laboratory: Indicating product compliance with the relevant Indian Standard.
- Proof of Manufacturing Unit's Address: Factory License or Tax Registration document specifying the manufacturer's scope.
- Trade Mark Registration, if available: Copy of Trademark Registration.
- Certificate from concerned regulatory agencies for manufacturing: If applicable.
- Product Drawings: As applicable.
- Current Manufacturing Capacity: Production capacity.
- Raw Material Details: Component names, supplier names, component quality certifications.
- Machine Details: Machine names, manufacturers, capacities, quantities.
- Factory Layout Plan: Floor plan and technical layout.
- Manufacturing Process Details: Flowchart of the manufacturing process, including any outsourcing.
- Packaging Information: Packaging size and quantity, storage facilities.
- Details of Testing Equipment: Equipment names, sizes, quantities, calibration status, and calibration date.
- Quality Control (QC) Staff Details: Employee names, qualifications, designations, years of experience.
- Procedure for Handling Substandard Products: After manufacturing.
- Organizational Chart of the Factory: List of management personnel with names and designations in chart format.
- Factory Location Map: Showing the distance from the airport and city center.
- Specific Requirements for Foreign Manufacturers
| SNO. | Particular Description | List of Required Information |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application Form - V | Application Form - V – required documents (PDF) |
| 2 | FAQs on Marking on Wheel Rims | FAQs on Marking on Wheel Rims – required documents (PDF) |
| 3 | Guideline on Plugs and Socket-outlets-IS 1293 | Guideline on Plugs and Socket-outlets-IS 1293 – required documents (PDF) |
| 4 | Guidelines on BIS Certification for Footwear Manufacturers | Guidelines on BIS Certification for Footwear Manufacturers – required documents (PDF) |
Why Choose iKargos for BIS Certification
Certification requirements can affect several parts of a business, from manufacturing readiness and laboratory testing to documentation, shipment planning and delivery commitments. If you are unsure which Indian Standard applies or whether your factory is ready for the applicable assessment, discussing the requirement before filing can help you understand what needs attention and which steps should be planned first.
Share the product name, manufacturing country, technical specifications and any existing test or certification information with the iKargos team. We can help identify the information needed for an initial assessment, explain the applicable process and prepare a quote for the support required. Where logistics or imports form part of the project, the compliance activities can also be considered alongside the planned import schedule, without treating certification as a guarantee of customs clearance or a fixed shipment date.
Frequently asked questions
Which products require ISI Certification?
Products such as electrical appliances, cement, steel, household items, automotive components and many others fall under the mandatory ISI Certification scheme.
Is BIS ISI Certification mandatory?
Not for every product. BIS certification is generally voluntary, but the Central Government can make certification mandatory for specified products through Quality Control Orders and other legal notifications.
Is BIS CRS the same as BIS ISI Certification?
No. CRS is associated with the separate Scheme-II Registration Scheme. BIS identifies Scheme-I and Scheme-II as distinct conformity-assessment routes.
Can I get multiple types of ISI Certification for a single product?
Yes. Depending on your product, it may require multiple types of ISI Certification if it falls under various categories or standards.
Can a foreign manufacturer obtain BIS certification?
Yes. Eligible foreign manufacturers can apply under FMCS where the applicable product requirement calls for BIS certification. An Authorized Indian Representative is required under the FMCS framework.
Products Covered Under This Certificate
1,3 Phenylenediamine
1,3-Phenylenediamine, abbreviated as 1,3-PDA, is a chemical compound belonging t.....
Standard: IS 17450:2020100 Percent Polyester Spun Grey and White Yarn (PSY)
Yarn constructed completely of polyester fibers is referred to as 100 percent po.....
Standard: IS 17265:202318 Percent Nickel Maraging Steel Bars and Rods
Bars and rods made of 18% nickel maraging steel are unusual materials with outst.....
Standard: IS 14652: 1999You may also need
Need broader regulatory support beyond this certification? See iKargos's full trade compliance advisory. All EXIM certifications
Ready to get started?
One call with a certification lead: the applicable process, timeline and a written quote within one working day.