BIS Certification | BIS Certification Schemes in India

BIS Certification is the official approval granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure that products meet the required quality, safety, and reliability benchmarks before being sold in the Indian market. While many BIS Certification Schemes in India operate on a voluntary basis, several product categories fall under mandatory BIS compliance as mandated by the Central Government.

These compulsory schemes are introduced to protect consumer safety, safeguard public health, support environmental protection, prevent unfair trade practices, and uphold national security. For all products under mandatory regulation, manufacturers must obtain the BIS Standard Mark through a valid License or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by BIS.

Now, let’s delve into the role of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in ensuring the quality standards of products in the Indian market.

Introduction to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is an Indian Standard Organization functioning under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, within the Government of India. BIS is responsible for ensuring the quality, stability, and reliability of products for end users. This is accomplished through the issuance of numerous quality certifications and active involvement in managing, grading, establishing industry standards, and conducting tests for products sold and distributed in India.

In 1986, legislation was introduced granting the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) the authority to operate a voluntary product certification system for manufacturers. Through this program, companies that are confident their products meet the relevant Indian Standards can apply for certification and display the Standard Mark, demonstrating compliance with established quality and safety norms.

However, for products falling under mandatory BIS certification, compliance is not optional. Such items must conform to the applicable Indian Standards and must carry the approved Standard Mark before they can be legally sold in India. Any product that does not meet these requirements is prohibited from being marketed or distributed within the country.

Now, let’s explore the activities undertaken by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Activities of BIS

The Bureau of Indian Standards carries out a wide range of functions to ensure quality, safety, and standardization across industries. Its major activities include:

• Formulation of Standards
  Developing Indian Standards for products, systems, and practices.

• Product Certification & Standard Marking
  Granting licenses that allow manufacturers to use the BIS Standard Mark on compliant products.

• Testing & Laboratory Services
  Operating advanced laboratories to verify product conformity through scientific testing.

• Training & Capacity Building
  Providing specialized training programs on standards, certification, and quality systems.

• System Certification
  Offering certifications for management systems such as ISO standards.

• Industry Awareness & Outreach
  Conducting workshops, seminars, and awareness programs to educate industries about standards and compliance requirements.

Now that we have understood BIS and its key functions, let’s explore the different certification schemes offered by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

BIS Certification Scheme

Various certification scheme is run by BIS for issuing a number of quality certifications for different products. It aims to ensure that the general public receives high-quality, risk-free products. BIS runs a product certification scheme to grant manufacturers a BIS license to use the standard mark on products and sell them into the Indian Market. Although the product certification scheme is voluntary, the Indian government made it mandatory to obtain BIS certification for several products, including aluminium foil, helmets, pressure cookers, toys, water heaters, cables, etc. The manufacturer must get a BIS licence to use the BIS standard mark on products and sell them in the Indian market.

let’s go over the different types of BIS certification schemes.

Types of BIS Certification

• Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme
• Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme,
• Compulsory Registration Scheme
• BIS Hallmarking Scheme
• Eco Mark Scheme

Now that you are familiar with the different BIS certification schemes, let’s take a closer look at each scheme individually to understand how they work and what they cover.

Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS)

Let’s begin by understanding the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) offered by BIS for overseas manufacturers.

As per the BIS Act, 2016, the Bureau of Indian Standards has been operating the FMCS since the year 2000. This scheme enables foreign manufacturers to apply for a BIS license and use the ISI Standard Mark on their products, allowing them to legally sell those products in the Indian market.

Under the FMCS framework, BIS assesses whether the product manufactured outside India complies with the relevant Indian Standards. Once conformity is verified, the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Department (FMCD)—the designated authority for this scheme—grants the manufacturing license to the applicant.

The primary purpose of issuing BIS quality certifications to foreign manufacturers is to ensure that consumers in India receive safe, reliable, and quality-assured products. FMCS covers all product categories except Electronics and IT Goods, which are regulated under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) instead.

Hence, any foreign manufacturer planning to export products to India (other than electronics and IT goods) must obtain BIS certification under the FMCS before importing or selling in the country.

For detailed information on ISI Mark certification for foreign manufacturers,
Click Here: Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme↵

Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme:

BIS operates a product certification scheme, also known as an ISI mark certification scheme, for the purpose of granting a licence to a manufacturer in accordance with the conformity assessment scheme – I of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulation, 2018. Under this scheme, BIS grants manufacturers a licence to use the ISI mark on products that meet applicable Indian standards.

ISI Mark:

ISI Mark is a standard mark awarded by the Bureau of Indian Standards to use on the product. The presence of an ISI mark on a product ensures that it meets the requirements of applicable Indian standards. The ISI mark is a symbol of trust for buyers.

To use ISI Mark on the product, the manufacturer shall have to obtain a BIS licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards. To get a BIS license, the manufacturer must ensure that their product conforms to applicable Indian standards. BIS licenses are only provided to the manufacturers for their products that meet all relevant Indian standards.

For full details on the ISI Mark process, Click Here: ISI Mark Certification Scheme
OR
Watch our YouTube video to learn How to Get ISI Mark Certification.

Compulsory Registration Scheme:

BIS also operates a Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for Electronics and Information Technology Goods for the product categories notified by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This scheme was introduced in 2012 by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to safeguard Indian consumers from spurious and substandard goods.

According to Compulsory Registration Scheme Orders, no one shall manufacture or store for sale, sell, import, or distribute goods that do not conform with the Indian standards specified in the order and do not bear the Standard Mark with a unique registration number obtained from BIS.

BIS Certification for Electronics and IT Products comes under BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (BIS CRS) / BIS Registration Scheme. Before releasing electronic and information technology items to the market, BIS registration is essential. Manufacturers of products covered under Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) must apply for BIS Registration after getting their product tested in a BIS-approved laboratory. BIS grants manufacturers a license to use or apply the Standard Mark with a unique R-number on electronics and IT goods. BIS Registration is based on your self-declaration of conformity for goods and articles as per Indian Standards.

Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) is operated by BIS for Electronics and Information Technology products notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Launched in 2012 by MeitY in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards, this scheme was created to protect Indian consumers from unsafe, counterfeit, and poor-quality electronic goods.

Under the CRS Orders, no manufacturer or importer is permitted to produce, store, sell, distribute, or import electronic products that do not comply with the specified Indian Standards or do not carry the Standard Mark along with a unique BIS Registration Number.

BIS Certification for electronic and IT products falls under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (BIS CRS)—also commonly referred to as BIS Registration. Any electronic or IT product listed under the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) must be registered with BIS before being launched in the Indian market.

Manufacturers seeking BIS Registration are required to have their products tested in a BIS-recognized laboratory. Once compliance is confirmed, BIS issues a license authorizing the manufacturer to use the Standard Mark with a unique R-number on their products. CRS registration operates on a self-declaration of conformity, supported by test results, to ensure that the product meets the relevant Indian Standards.

For complete details on BIS Registration for Electronics and IT Products,
Click Here: BIS Registration Scheme

OR

Watch our YouTube video to learn How to Get BIS Registration for Electronics & IT Products.

Hallmarking Registration

To safeguard consumers from adulterated precious metal items and ensure jewellers maintain legally defined purity standards, BIS introduced the Gold Hallmarking Scheme in 2000 and the Silver Hallmarking Scheme in 2005. Hallmarking refers to the accurate assessment and official certification of the proportion of precious metal present in an item. It serves as a trusted mark used globally to verify the purity or fineness of jewellery and other precious metal articles.

BIS registration is mandatory for any jeweller involved in the manufacturing or sale of gold or silver jewellery in India. Under this scheme, BIS grants registration to jewellers for a specific business location, allowing them to produce and sell hallmark-certified jewellery.

Additionally, Assaying and Hallmarking (A&H) Centres must be approved by BIS. These centres are recognized based on compliance with ISO 15820:2009, ensuring that testing and hallmarking processes meet the required technical and quality standards.

ECO Mark Scheme

The ECO Mark Scheme, administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is designed to identify and promote environmentally friendly products. This scheme applies to a wide range of product categories, including soaps and detergents, paints, food items, lubricating oils, packaging materials, architectural coatings, batteries, electrical and electronic goods, food additives, wood substitutes, cosmetics, aerosols, plastic products, textiles, fire extinguishers, leather items, and coir products.

Products that qualify under this scheme carry the ECO Mark logo alongside the ISI Mark, demonstrating that they not only comply with the relevant Indian Standards for quality but also meet specified environmental criteria.

BIS oversees the complete implementation of the ECO Mark Scheme, which includes the grant, renewal, suspension, and cancellation of licenses. It is also responsible for conducting inspections and collecting samples to verify continued compliance with the environmental and quality standards applicable to products bearing the ECO Mark.

Products Under the BIS Certification Scheme

Let’s explore the range of products that fall under the BIS Certification Scheme.

BIS Certification is not mandatory for all manufacturers, but several product categories must comply with Indian Standards and obtain BIS approval before they can be sold in the Indian market. Currently, 380 products require mandatory BIS certification.
Click Here to view the complete list of BIS-mandated products.

Manufacturers may also choose to obtain voluntary BIS certification for products not covered under the mandatory list. This voluntary certification serves as an assurance to consumers that the product meets established Indian quality and safety standards.
Click Here to see the list of 1738+ products eligible for voluntary BIS certification. When it comes to electronics, BIS maintains particularly strict oversight. Any electronic item must secure BIS Registration before being introduced into the market. There are approximately 1687 Indian Standards related to electronic products, covering essential aspects such as safety, reliability, and performance.

At present, 79 products are included under the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO), all of which must obtain BIS Registration prior to sale.
Here is the updated list of 81 products notified under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).

Benefits of Obtaining BIS Certification

• Builds Consumer Confidence: BIS certification helps manufacturers earn customer trust by demonstrating that their products meet established safety and quality benchmarks.

• Assures Safety & Reliability: Consumers can confidently identify BIS-certified products as safe, dependable, and compliant with Indian Standards.

• Competitive Advantage: A BIS-certified product stands out in the market, giving manufacturers a clear edge over competitors who lack certification.

• Compliance with Indian Standards: BIS certification ensures that the product aligns with the relevant Indian Standards, reinforcing its quality and performance.

Process to Obtain BIS Certification

1. Documentation Preparation

2. Submission of Application

3. Technical Review of the Application

4. Inspection of the Manufacturing Facility

5. Sampling and Laboratory Testing

6. Grant of BIS Licence

Documents Required for BIS Certification

• Valid business license

• Trademark registration/authorization

• Completed application form

• Airway bill details (if applicable)

• Authorization letter

• Manufacturing process flow chart

• Product catalog or technical literature

• List of machinery and testing equipment

• Technical specifications of the product

• Any additional documents requested by BIS

AIR Roles

All foreign manufacturers seeking BIS Certification under the FMCS Scheme or BIS Registration under the CRS Scheme must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). The AIR acts as the local point of contact in India and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the BIS Act, Rules, Regulations, and the Terms & Conditions specified in the BIS licence.

Indian (domestic) manufacturers are not required to appoint an AIR. They can directly apply online through the BIS login portal.

The nomination of the AIR depends on the manufacturer’s business presence and brand ownership structure in India, as outlined below:

Who Can Be Appointed as AIR?

1. Manufacturer with a Liaison Office or Branch Office in India

   • The Indian liaison/branch office will automatically function as the AIR.

2. Manufacturer without any Office in India but Brand Owner Located in India

   • If the proprietor or registered trademark owner of the brand appearing on the product is based in India, they will be designated as the AIR.

3. Manufacturer with an Indian Office but No Brand Owner in India

   • If the manufacturer has a liaison office in India but the brand owner is not present in India, another eligible organization may be nominated as the AIR.

Conclusion

For businesses in Delhi NCR and across India, BIS certification has become essential. Whether you manufacture locally or import goods from abroad, you must comply with Indian safety and quality standards. Working with an experienced consultant makes the journey smooth.

UMSPCS has built a strong reputation as one of the best BIS certification consultants in Delhi and also the leading BIS consultants in Mumbai, helping manufacturers, importers, and global companies meet BIS requirements with confidence. With our guidance, the entire process—testing, documentation, submission, and approval—becomes easier, faster, and more reliable.

If you want professional support, timely communication, and stress-free certification, UMSPCS is a dependable partner for all BIS compliance needs. Therefore, you can always depend on the top BIS certification consultants in India and the best BIS consultants in China remotely – UMS Product Compliance Services Pvt. Ltd (UMSPCS).