BIS ISI Certification

Overview Requirement procedure Documents Fees Sample Certificate FAQ

What Is BIS ISI Certification and Why Does It Matter?

The ISI Mark — standing for Indian Standards Institute — is India's most recognised quality mark for manufactured goods. Administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the BIS Act 2016, ISI certification tells buyers that a product has been manufactured and tested against a specific Indian Standard (IS). It is not voluntary for the products covered under Quality Control Orders (QCOs). If your product falls under a mandatory category, you cannot legally manufacture or sell it in India without the ISI licence.

BIS ISI Mark Scheme Products – Compulsory Certification Categories

Product categories under mandatory ISI certification as per Bureau of Indian Standards · Updated 2026

S.No.	Product Category	Coverage	Status
1	Cement	All varieties manufactured or sold in India (OPC, PPC, PSC, SRC, HAC, composite, white, hydrophobic, oil well, rapid hardening, low heat, microfine, refractory, etc.)	Active
2	Household electrical goods	Circuit breakers, RCCB/RCBO, energy meters, CFL lamps, electric irons, immersion heaters, room heaters, electric stoves, domestic switches, tungsten filament lamps, PVC insulated cables, elastomer insulated cables	Active
3	Batteries	Multi-purpose dry batteries	Active
4	Food & Related Products	Infant formula, follow-up formula, processed cereal-based complementary foods (de-notified from compulsory BIS certification in 2024; now regulated under FSSAI)	De-notified
5	Automobile & Accessories	Automotive safety glass, seat belts, tyres (two-wheelers, passenger cars, trucks), automotive lighting, reflective devices, helmets	Active
6	Steel & Steel Products	Hot rolled steel strips/plates/sections, cold rolled strips, reinforcement bars (TMT bars), galvanised steel sheets, stainless steel utensils, LPG cylinders	Active
7	Chemicals & Fertilizers	Chemical fertilizers (urea, SSP, CAN, MOP), industrial alcohol, calcium carbide, industrial grade hydrogen peroxide	Active
8	Water Supply & Sanitation	PVC pipes, HDPE pipes, DI pipes, valves, water meters, sanitary ware, plastic fittings for potable water	Active
9	LPG Equipment	LPG cylinders, valves, pressure regulators, hoses for domestic & commercial use	Active
10	Packaged Drinking Water & Natural Mineral Water	Packaged drinking water, natural mineral water (de-notified from compulsory BIS certification in 2024; now regulated under FSSAI)	De-notified
11	Medical Devices & Safety Equipment	Surgical dressings, condoms, blood bags, protective helmets	Active
12	Domestic Gas Appliances	LPG domestic cooking stoves, hot plates, gas meters	Active
13	Electrical Transformers & Power Equipment	Distribution transformers, current transformers, voltage transformers, power cables (HV), switchgear	Active
14	Textiles & Rubber Products	Conveyor belts, rubber hoses, rubber footwear, safety footwear	Active

Who Needs BIS ISI Certification?

ISI certification is required for any manufacturer, importer, or brand owner whose product falls under a category notified under a Quality Control Order (QCO) issued by the Government of India. Here is a practical breakdown:

What Does the ISI Mark Look Like?

The ISI Mark is a registered trademark of the Bureau of Indian Standards. It appears as the letters 'ISI' enclosed within a diamond shape, accompanied by the applicable IS number and the BIS licence number. Each ISI Mark on a product must be:

Step-by-Step: How to Get BIS ISI Certification

The ISI certification process under BIS Scheme I involves the following structured steps. The typical timeline for domestic manufacturers ranges from 45 to 90 days depending on product complexity and factory readiness.

Step	Activity	Who Does It	Typical Time
1	Identify the applicable IS standard and QCO for your product category	Applicant / Consultant	1–2 days
2	Prepare your factory for BIS audit — production process, in-house testing, quality records	Applicant	2–4 weeks
3	Submit online application on the BIS portal (manak.bis.gov.in) with required documents and fee	Applicant / Consultant	1–3 days
4	BIS Factory Audit — a BIS officer inspects manufacturing facilities, raw material controls, and QC systems	BIS Officer	1–3 days on-site
5	Sample collection — BIS officer draws product samples for testing at BIS-recognised laboratories	BIS Officer	During audit
6	Product testing against applicable IS standard	BIS Lab / Recognised Lab	2–4 weeks
7	Evaluation of audit report + test results by BIS regional office	BIS Regional Office	2–4 weeks
8	Grant of ISI licence if all parameters are satisfactory — licence number issued	BIS	1 week
9	Applicant imprints ISI Mark with licence number on all certified products	Manufacturer	Ongoing

Documents Required for BIS ISI Certification

Having all documents ready before applying significantly reduces back-and-forth with BIS and speeds up grant of licence. Below is the standard document checklist:

S.No.	Document	Details / Notes
1	Duly filled BIS application form	Form available on BIS portal — specific to product category
2	Proof of establishment / incorporation	Certificate of incorporation, partnership deed, or proprietorship declaration
3	Factory address proof	Ownership deed, lease agreement, or NOC from local authority
4	Plant and machinery list	Complete list with make, model, and capacity of production equipment
5	In-house testing equipment list	List with calibration certificates — must match requirements of the IS standard
6	Flowchart of manufacturing process	Step-by-step production process from raw material to finished goods
7	Raw material test reports	Recent test reports of incoming materials used in production
8	In-house product test reports	Self-test results against the applicable IS standard
9	Layout plan of factory	Floor plan showing production line, QC lab, raw material and finished goods storage
10	Qualified personnel details	Details of technical staff handling QC and production — qualifications required
11	Bureau fee payment proof	Online payment receipt from BIS portal
12	Any existing BIS licence (if renewal)	Previous licence copy for renewal applications

BIS ISI Certification Fees

BIS ISI certification involves two main fee components: an application/grant fee and an annual licence fee based on turnover. Fees vary by product category. Below are approximate indicative ranges; actual fees should be confirmed from the BIS official fee schedule.

Fee Head	Domestic Manufacturer	Foreign Manufacturer (FMCS)
Application Fee	₹1,000 – ₹15,000 (varies by category)	USD 1,000 – USD 5,000
Marking Fee (Annual)	0.1% – 0.5% of turnover of licensed product	Same basis
Testing Charges	₹5,000 – ₹50,000+ (depends on IS standard)	Same + travel costs
Factory Audit Fee	₹10,000 – ₹30,000+ (domestic travel)	USD 2,000 – 5,000 + travel
Renewal Fee	As per BIS schedule	As per BIS FMCS schedule

Licence Validity and Renewal for BIS ISI Certification

A BIS ISI Certification licence issued under Scheme-I is generally valid for one year from the date of grant and must be renewed periodically to maintain compliance. Manufacturers are required to continue meeting the applicable Indian Standard (IS), pay marking fees, and comply with BIS surveillance requirements. Timely renewal helps avoid interruptions in production, sales, and use of the ISI Mark.

Aspect	Details
Initial Validity	1 year from the date of grant (renewals are annual)
Renewal Window	Apply for renewal 30–60 days before expiry to avoid interruption
Renewal Basis	Compliance with IS standard, satisfactory surveillance findings, and marking fee payment
Surveillance	BIS conducts periodic factory surveillance and market sample testing during the licence period
Cancellation	BIS can suspend or cancel licence for non-compliance, substandard products, or misuse of the ISI Mark
Re-grant After Cancellation	Fresh application required; cancellation history is taken into account

Penalties for Selling Without BIS ISI Certification

Manufacturing or selling a product that is notified under a QCO without a valid ISI licence is a criminal offence under the BIS Act 2016. The consequences are serious:

How Silvereye Certifications Makes BIS ISI Certification Smoother

Getting a BIS ISI licence involves regulatory paperwork, factory readiness, laboratory coordination, and BIS correspondence — all at the same time. For most manufacturers, especially first-time applicants or those expanding product lines, this is where delays and rejections happen.

Silvereye Certifications has worked with manufacturers across cement, electrical, steel, automotive, and LPG categories to successfully obtain ISI licences. Our team brings direct experience of BIS audit processes, IS standard requirements, and regional office procedures.

What We Do	How It Helps You
Product & QCO Eligibility Check	We confirm whether your product needs ISI certification and which IS standard applies — before you spend time on the wrong path.
Factory Gap Assessment	We audit your current production setup against BIS requirements and tell you exactly what needs to be fixed before the BIS officer arrives.
Document Preparation	We prepare and review your complete application package — reducing rejections due to missing or incorrect paperwork.
Application Filing on BIS Portal	We file the online application, coordinate fee payments, and manage all BIS communication on your behalf.
Lab Coordination	We arrange product testing at BIS-recognised labs and ensure test reports meet format and content requirements.
Audit Support	Our team prepares your QC team for the BIS factory audit — reducing surprises and improving first-time pass rates.
Follow-up to Licence Grant	We track your application status and follow up with BIS offices to ensure timely grant of licence.
Renewal & Compliance Support	We remind you before licence expiry and manage annual renewals so your production is never disrupted.

Frequently Asked Questions — BIS ISI Certification

Is BIS ISI certification mandatory for all products?

No. ISI certification is mandatory only for product categories notified under a Quality Control Order (QCO) by the Government of India. For non-notified products, ISI certification is voluntary. The complete list of mandatory categories is published on the BIS website.

My product is packaged drinking water. Do I still need a BIS ISI licence?

No. Packaged drinking water has been de-notified from BIS compulsory ISI certification. It is now regulated under FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). You need an FSSAI licence, not a BIS ISI licence, for packaged water.

How long does it take to get a BIS ISI licence?

For domestic manufacturers, the typical timeline is 45 to 90 days from application submission, assuming the factory is audit-ready and test reports are satisfactory. Foreign manufacturers under FMCS may take 3 to 6 months due to overseas inspection scheduling.

Can I sell ISI Mark products on e-commerce platforms in India?

Yes, but the BIS licence must be valid. E-commerce platforms including Amazon India, Flipkart, and IndiaMART are required to verify BIS compliance for mandatory product categories. BIS has been actively monitoring and directing removal of non-compliant listings.

What is the difference between ISI and BIS certification?

BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) is the authority. ISI is the specific certification scheme (Scheme I) under BIS for industrial and consumer products. The ISI Mark is the quality mark that appears on products once certified. BIS also runs other schemes like CRS (for electronics) and FMCS (for foreign manufacturers).

I am importing ISI-notified products. What do I need?

If you are importing products that fall under a mandatory ISI category, you need to ensure the foreign manufacturer has a valid BIS FMCS licence before the goods arrive at the Indian port. Customs authorities check BIS compliance for notified products. Importing without a valid ISI licence can result in goods being held or confiscated.

Do I need a separate ISI licence for each manufacturing plant?

Yes. Each BIS ISI licence is specific to a manufacturing location. If you produce the same product at two factories, you need two separate licences — one for each plant.

What happens if my BIS ISI licence is cancelled?

You must immediately stop affixing the ISI Mark and stop selling products as ISI certified. You will need to apply fresh for reinstatement. BIS may impose conditions before granting a new licence. Continued use of the ISI Mark after cancellation is a criminal offence.

Does BIS ISI certification cover product exports?

ISI certification is a requirement for the Indian domestic market. For exports, the requirement depends on the importing country's regulations. Some countries and buyers do recognise the ISI Mark as a quality indicator. BIS also has bilateral MoU arrangements with some countries' standards bodies.

How much does BIS ISI certification cost in total?

Total costs depend on your product category, factory size, and whether additional lab testing is needed. A typical domestic ISI certification engagement costs between ₹50,000 and ₹3,00,000 including all government fees, lab charges, and audit costs. Silvereye Certifications provides a product-specific estimate after an initial review.