BIS ISI Certification: BIS Standards, ISI Mark Requirements, and Mandatory Product List

• BIS ISI Certification ensures products meet mandatory BIS Standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
• Manufacturers use ISI Mark Certification to legally sell regulated products in India.
• Updated BIS notifications influence licensing, ISI product list categories, and compliance timelines.
• ISI Mark is mandatory for products where the government wants safety, durability, and hazard-free performance.
• For manufacturers and importers, ISI Certification reduces market complaints, returns, and liability risks.

Introduction

ISI Certification remains one of India’s most trusted compliance requirements for product safety and quality. Manufacturers and importers seeking to sell regulated goods in the Indian market must meet the specific BIS Standards prescribed for their product category and obtain approval from the Bureau of Indian Standards. The ISI Mark is a guarantee that a product has passed mandatory testing, factory evaluation, and ongoing surveillance designed to ensure consistent performance and safety.

Many industries—including electrical appliances, cables, steel products, cement, pressure cookers, and automotive components—are covered under mandatory ISI Certification through Quality Control Orders issued by the Government of India. Understanding the correct standard, identifying your product in the ISI Product List, preparing documentation, and ensuring factory compliance are essential steps to avoid delays, rejections, or penalties.

With new notifications regularly issued by BIS, businesses must stay updated and ensure that every product aligns with the latest requirements. Whether a company is entering the Indian market for the first time or managing continuous production, ISI Certification plays a central role in building trust, reducing risk, and maintaining regulatory compliance.

What Is ISI Certification?

ISI Certification is an official compliance approval issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure that a product meets India’s defined safety, performance, and quality benchmarks. When a manufacturer or importer obtains an ISI license, it confirms that the product has successfully passed laboratory testing and meets the exact requirements of the relevant Indian Standard (IS). This certification helps prevent unsafe, defective, or low-quality goods from reaching consumers and ensures that only verified products enter the Indian market.

Core Meaning

• ISI Certification is India's most trusted product safety compliance, issued only after strict evaluation by BIS.
• The ISI Mark on a product indicates it has been tested and approved under the Indian Standards framework.

Where It Applies

• Mandatory for many regulated products listed under various Quality Control Orders (QCOs).
• Commonly required for:
• Electrical appliances
• Wires and cables
• Steel and structural products
• Helmets and safety equipment
• Household and industrial goods
• Legal Requirement
• Products listed under the ISI Product List cannot be manufactured, sold, imported, or distributed in India without an ISI license.
• Non-compliance may result in seizure, heavy penalties, or cancellation of shipments at ports.

What the Certification Covers?

• Product testing in BIS-approved laboratories
• Review of technical, quality, and safety documentation
• Inspection of the manufacturing unit and production processes
• Ongoing surveillance audits and sample testing after certification

Why Is ISI Certification Important for Manufacturers and Importers?

ISI Certification is essential for businesses dealing with products regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It confirms that a product meets India’s safety, performance, and quality requirements and is legally approved for sale in the country.

Key Reasons ISI Certification Matters

• Mandatory for notified products: Items covered under BIS Quality Control Orders cannot be manufactured, imported, or sold in India without an ISI Mark.
• Ensures product safety: Certification verifies electrical, mechanical, and material safety through BIS-approved testing.
• Builds market trust: The ISI Mark improves consumer confidence and reduces returns, complaints, and warranty claims.
• Required for tenders: Government projects and major distributors accept only ISI-certified products in many categories.
• Reduces legal risks: Selling non-certified mandatory products can lead to penalties, seizure of goods, and import rejection.
• Improves production quality: BIS audits help manufacturers maintain better quality control and consistent manufacturing standards.

ISI Certification strengthens credibility, ensures legal compliance, and supports smooth market entry for both manufacturers and importers.

Why ISI Mark Certification Matters For Your Products ?

The Indian consumer market is rapidly shifting. With rising e-commerce penetration and an increasing number of counterfeit products, BIS has become more active than ever. In 2024–25, the Bureau executed over 6,200 raids on manufacturers selling non-compliant goods. Major consumer brands in appliances, electricals, and construction materials faced heavy penalties for missing ISI Mark labels.

From a business standpoint, ISI Certification delivers four concrete advantages:

• Legal permission to manufacture and sell notified products Without the ISI Mark, manufacturers risk seizure, penalties, and brand reputation damage
• Stronger consumer confidence Indian customers, especially in electrical and building materials, trust the ISI Mark as a safety symbol.
• Improved supply chain acceptance OEMs and distributors prefer ISI-licensed suppliers to avoid regulatory compliance gaps.
• Protection during market surveillance BIS regularly inspects markets and factories. An active ISI license protects your brand.

BIS regularly inspects markets and factories. An active ISI license protects your brand.

Silvereye Certifications has seen many cases where brand owners only applied for ISI after facing seizure notices. Proactive compliance always reduces cost and risk.

Latest BIS Notifications You Must Know

BIS issues frequent notifications modifying standards, timelines, and mandatory product lists. Below is a human-written interpretation of major updates (verified with the official source

• Migration to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023Several audio/video and ICT products previously under IS 13252 are migrating to the updated safety standard. Manufacturers must shift applications before the notified final date.
• New QCOs for Chemicals and PolymersThe Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals notified fresh Quality Control Orders for:
• Polypropylene (PP) for moulding and extrusion
• Acrylonitrile
• Maleic Anhydride
• Phthalic Anhydride

Several of these categories now require mandatory ISI Certification.

Cement Standard Revision

IS 1489 (Part 1 & 2) and IS 269 were revised in 2024–25. Cement brands must comply to maintain their ISI license.

Steel and Electrical Appliance Notifications

Updated standards for:

• Electric immersion water heaters
• Room heaters
• Steel wires and rods
• Pressure cookers

New Additions to Mandatory ISI Product List

More categories are proposed for ISI inclusion in 2025, including:

• Household plastic items
• Certain automotive safety components
• Specific building materials

Silvereye Certifications tracks these notifications daily because non-compliance unknowingly pushes manufacturers into penalty zones.

A full, continuously updated product list can be found at the official BIS portal: BIS.gov.in

Silvereye Certifications can help interpret which standards apply to your exact product model.

Normal Procedure vs Simplified Procedure for ISI Certification

Manufacturers in India can obtain ISI Certification through two distinct routes defined by the Bureau of Indian Standards: the Normal Procedure and the Simplified Procedure. While both lead to the same ISI Licence, the steps, timelines, and level of scrutiny differ. Understanding these two pathways helps manufacturers choose the most efficient and compliant route based on their production readiness, documentation strength, and testing capability.

Normal Procedure for ISI Certification

The Normal Procedure follows the traditional BIS approval workflow. It involves detailed scrutiny of the manufacturing unit, sampling by BIS officials, and mandatory testing in a BIS-recognized laboratory. This route is thorough and ideal for factories applying for ISI Certification for the first time or for products with extensive technical evaluation.

Key Highlights

• BIS conducts a complete factory inspection before approval.
• Officers collect product samples directly from the production line.
• Samples undergo testing in a BIS-authorized laboratory only.
• License approval begins after test reports are issued.

When Manufacturers Prefer This Route

• When the product requires long-duration or complex testing.
• When the manufacturer does not already have test reports.
• When the unit is new to the ISI licensing process.

Typical Timeline

60–120 days, depending on the product category and lab workload.

Simplified Procedure for ISI Certification

Under the Simplified Procedure, BIS allows manufacturers to submit test reports at the time of application, which significantly reduces the approval time. The factory inspection is still mandatory but is conducted only after the test report is accepted by BIS.

Key Highlights

• The manufacturer gets the product tested in advance from a BIS-recognized lab.
• BIS processes the application based on pre-submitted test reports.
• Factory inspection happens after initial verification.
• Approval is faster due to reduced testing delays.

When Manufacturers Prefer This Route

• When the product can be tested quickly.
• When the factory requires faster market launch or regulatory compliance.
• When the manufacturer maintains accurate test records and QC procedures.

Typical Timeline

30–45 days, depending on inspection scheduling and compliance readiness.

Benefits of ISI Certification

Required Documents of ISI Certification

• Business Registration Proof (Company Registration / GST / MSME
• Factory License or Trade License
• Manufacturing Process Flow Chart
• List of Machinery & Equipment
• Product Specifications & Technical Details
• Packaging & Label Artwork (for ISI Marking)
• Authorized Signatory Letter / Power of Attorney
• Quality Control Manual / SOPs

Step-by-Step ISI Certification Process

Over the years, Silvereye Certifications has guided hundreds of manufacturers through the ISI Mark process. Each case varies slightly, but the core process remains structured.

Step 1: Identify Applicable Indian Standard (IS)

Every product must align with a specific IS. Examples:

• Pressure cooker → IS 2347
• Electrical cables → IS 694
• Cement → IS 269 / IS 1489

A misidentified standard is the most common cause of license rejection.

Step 2: Factory Requirements Assessment

To qualify, your factory must have:

• In-house testing equipment
• Skilled quality control team
• Calibration certificates
• Process flow and inspection records
• Product consistency proof

Step 3: Sample Testing in BIS Recognized Lab

Manufacturers must send product samples to a BIS approved laboratory. Testing includes:

• Performance
• Safety
• Durability
• Labeling requirements
• Reports must match the Indian Standard exactly.

Step 4: Submit Application on Manak Online

The application requires:

• Factory documents
• Trademark/brand ownership proof
• Quality manual
• Test reports
• Manufacturing process details
• Equipment and calibration sheets

Step 5: BIS Factory Audit

Auditors visit the manufacturing site to verify:

• Machinery
• Process control
• Testing facility
• Quality assurance system

Minor non-conformities must be corrected before approval.

Step 6: Grant of ISI License

Once approved, BIS issues a license number like:

CM/L-XXXXXXX

You can now use the ISI Mark on product packaging, marketing, and labels.

Step 7: Ongoing Surveillance & Renewal

ISI Certification is not a one-time compliance. BIS conducts:

• Surprise Inspections
• Market Testing
• Sample Picking
• Factory Audits

Brands must maintain quality and testing consistency.

ISI Certification: Timeline, Cost, Validity & Renewal

Manufacturers planning for ISI Certification must understand the expected timeline, associated costs, and the validity period of the licence. These factors help in budgeting, production planning, and market entry strategy. BIS follows a structured process, and the approval duration or fees may vary depending on the product category, testing cycle, and factory readiness.

Why Choose Silvereye Certifications for ISI Certification

Silvereye Certifications is trusted by manufacturers because the team delivers fast, accurate, and compliant BIS approvals. The process is handled end-to-end, reducing delays and eliminating documentation errors that commonly lead to rejections.

Key Reasons to Choose Silvereye

Silvereye Certifications is trusted by manufacturers because the team delivers fast, accurate, and compliant BIS approvals. The process is handled end-to-end, reducing delays and eliminating documentation errors that commonly lead to rejections.

• Expertise in BIS Standards: Dedicated specialists who work only on BIS, ISI, and product testing requirements.
• Error-Free Documentation:Technical files, QC procedures, and marking artwork prepared as per BIS norms.
• Faster Approval Support:Structured workflows and proactive follow-ups with BIS and labs.
• Complete Audit Assistance:Guidance during factory inspections to ensure compliance and smooth clearance.
• Post-Licence Support:Assistance with marking fee, surveillance audits, and renewals.

This makes Silvereye a dependable partner for manufacturers seeking a reliable and hassle-free path to ISI Certification.

Conclusion

The BIS ISI Certification remains one of the most important compliance requirements for manufacturing in India. Whether the product is electrical, mechanical, chemical, or safety-critical, the ISI Mark demonstrates that it meets the quality and safety parameters set by the Bureau of Indian Standards. For manufacturers, this approval is not just a legal obligation—it is a strong market advantage that improves consumer trust, reduces product failures, and ensures access to organized retail and government procurement.

Obtaining ISI Mark Certification requires careful documentation, precise testing, and timely communication with BIS. We understand that many manufacturers struggle with these steps, which is why partnering with a knowledgeable compliance team is essential for timely success.