Table of Contents
Consumer safety
It protects the public by ensuring products are safe to use and do not pose health hazards.
Quality assurance
It provides assurance of products quality and reliability, which builds consumer confidence.
Legal compliance
It is legally required for certain products to be sold or imported into India.
Environmental protection
It helps ensure products do not harm the environment.
Market access
Importers require it for customs clearance, and without it , products can be seized and incur fines.
National security
The government mandates it for products that are critical to national security.
Prevention of unfair practices
It helps prevent unfair trade practices by setting a standard for all products in a category.
A Quality and Safety Mark
It’s a mark of assurance that a product has been tested and meets the quality, safety, and reliability standards set by the BIS .
Official Certification
The ISI mark ( formerly the Indian standards institute mark) has been a standard-compliance mark for industrial products in India since 1955.
Mandatory for many Products
It is mandatory for a range of products to be sold in India, including many electrical appliances , automotive tires and LPG cylinders. For other products , it is voluntary.
For Consumer Protection
It ensures that products are safe and reliable, protecting consumers for substandard or hazardous goods.
To Build Trust
The mark builds consumer trust in a product’s quality and reliability, making them more likely to purchase it.
To Ensure Quality and Safety
It provides a way to enforce stringent quality standards across various sectors from construction and electrical goods to automotive components and food items.
For Manufactures
obtaining the mark can provide a competitive edge, boost sales, and help manufacturers meet legal requirements , especially in sectors where it is mandatory.
| Features | BIS ( Bureau of Indian standards) | ISI mark |
|---|---|---|
Nature |
An organization |
A standard mark of certification |
Role |
The certifying authority that sets standards, manages certification programs and ensures product quality and reliability. |
A symbol of compliance indicating a product meets applicable Indian standards |
Function |
Authorizes manufacturers to use the ISI mark on their products after they have been tested and approved. |
Acts as evidence that a product has passed BIS evaluation and conforms to quality and safety standards. |
Relationship |
The regulatory body |
The compliance mark granted by the regulatory body. |
The BIS formulates and updates Indian Standards (IS) for a wide range of products and services to ensure quality, safety and reliability.
The BIS certifies that the products comply with Indian standards by testing them in its own accredited laboratories or through recognized third party labs.
The BIS informs consumer , manufacturers and other key parties about the importance of products standardization and compliance.
Step 1: Preparation and BIS Registration
- Create an online account on the BIS portal (https://www.bis.gov.in)
- Gather all necessary documents , including your business and trademark licenses, product specifications, and quality control records.
- Determine the correct BIS certification schemes for your specific products.
- Generate a request for product testing through the BIS portal.
STEP 2: Test and Application submission
- Send your product samples to BIS approved laboratory for testing.
- Submit your online application . Include the test report from the lab, which for some schemes must be submitted within 90 days of its issuance.
- Pay the required application and processing fee.
STEP 3: Evaluation, inspection, and certification
- BIS official will review your application and the submitted test reports.
- In some cases, a factory inspection may be conducted to ensure compliance with the standard.
- If your product and factory meets all requirements ,BIS will issue the certificate . Some simplified procedures can result in certification within 30 days.
Manufactures
Domestic and foreign manufacturers of the products requiring BIS certification.
Organizations
Any organization that manufactures, assembles or provide a service.
- Registration Fee – varies by product category
- Licensing Fee- annual fee based on product and factory size.
- Testing Fee – paid to testing laboratories. (bis.gov.in/product-certification/product-certification-fee/?lang=hi)
| Fee Type | Euro | INR |
|---|---|---|
Application Fee (License &CoC) |
20 |
2,000 |
Certification Fee (License) |
250/year |
25,000/year |
CoC Fee (Non-Continuous) |
100 |
10,000 |
Technical File Review |
200 |
20,000 |
Inspection Fee |
200/man-day |
20,000/man-day |
Testing Chrages |
Actual |
Actual |
Manufacturing/selling non-certified goods (where mandatory)
- Imprisonment: Up to two years.
- Fine: Minimum ₹2 lakh for a first offense, increasing to a minimum of ₹5 lakh for subsequent offenses.
- Additional: Fine can be up to ten times the value of the goods involved.
Unauthorized use of a Standard Mark (e.g., ISI, Hallmark)
- Imprisonment: Up to one year.
- Fine: Minimum ₹1 lakh, which can extend up to five times the value of the goods.
Failure to meet standards (under Section 17)
- Imprisonment: Up to two years.
- Fine: Minimum ₹2 lakh for the first offense, increasing to a minimum of ₹5 lakh for subsequent offenses.
- Additional: Fine can be up to ten times the value of the goods involved.
General consequences
- Product seizure and destruction: BIS can search, seize, and destroy non-compliant products.
- License suspension or cancellation: Can occur for misuse of marks or other violations.
- Legal action: Cases can be filed in a court of law/.
Improved quality and satisfaction
Products certified with the ISI marks meet high quality standards , which leads to consumer satisfaction and can increase sales and revenue.
Mandatory compliance
For product where it is compulsory, the ISI mark must be used, with penalties for non-compliance including fines and imprisonment.
Consumer trust
The mark on a product guarantees consumer safety and health, fostering greater consumer confidence in the brand.
Brand credibility
It demonstrates a commitment to quality and safety, enhancing brand reputation and credibility.
Unrestricted market access
Allows manufacturers to sell their products anywhere in India without interruption.
Why Hire a BIS Consultant
1. Expert guidance : they help identify applicable Indian Standards and facilitate product testing in BIS approved labs
2. Streamlined process : consultants handle documentation, applicable submission, and factory audit preparation, reducing delays and rejections.
3. Cost effective : their expertise saves time and money by avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring compliance.
A Quality and Safety Mark
1. ISI mark certification : for industrial products, ensuring quality and safety
2. CRS registration : Mandatory for electronics and IT good
3. FMCS certification : for foreign manufacturers selling in India
4. Hallmarking : for gold and jewelry, ensuring purity.
- Building Materials
- Glass and Glassware
- Madical Equipments
- Wire & Cables
- Leather Products
- Food related Produtcs
- Electric Motors & Transformers
- Chemical Fertilizers
- Cpacitor
- Aluminum
- Steel Products
- Rubber
- Oil Pressure Stoves
- Cement
- Automotive
- Consumer safety: ensures products are safe for use and meet Indian standards.
- Market access : mandatory for selling electronic products in India.
- Quality assurance : guarantees products meets specific quality and performance standards.
- Competitive advantages : sets businesses apart by showcasing commitment to quality.
- Examples: mobile phones, accessories, appliances like geysers, IT products etc.
Business and Company Documents
1. Certificate of incorporation, partnership deed or MSME certificate
2. GST registration certificate
3. Factory / trade license
4. Trademark certificate
5. Authorization letter
6. KYC documents for authorized signatories ( like aadhar card, voter id or driving license of directors / partners )
Manufacturing and Factory Documents
1. Address proof of the manufacturing unit
2. Factory layout plan
3. Location map of the factory
4. Manufacturing process flow chart
5. List of manufacturing machinery and their details
6. Details of any outsourced manufacturing operations
Quality and Testing Documents
1. List of testing equipment and details
2.Valid calibration certificates for testing equipment
3. In-house or third party laboratory test reports as per the specific Indian standard
4. Quality manual and quality control staff details.
Product-Specific Documents
1. Technical details of the product (raw materials, design, drawing, etc.)
2. Name and details of the raw material supplier
3 .Products labels and markings
4. Product specification and details as per the Indian Standards (IS) code1
5. Information on packaging
What are the major consumer program activities of BIS?
Consumer awareness programs ,industry awareness programs ,educational use of standards program and consumer protection world standards day.
Where are BIS offices located ?
BIS is headquartered in Delhi, has five regional offices in Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai, and 32 branches across India ( details of which are available on thr BIS website = bis.gov.in)
Has BIS developed a Citizens charter?
BIS has a well established citizen’s charter, which has been revised and implemented with effect from January 1, 2024. It is available on the BIS website at the following path: consumer engagement->citizen’s charter.
What are the various BIS standards stamps?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issues several standard marks to ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of products in India. While the ISI and Hallmark are the most well-known, BIS oversees a variety of marks for different product categories.
- For products covered under Scheme 1 – ISI stamp and Eco stamp
- For product self declared under the conformity scheme as per Scheme 2 – Registration stamp
- For hallmarked products – hallmark
What are the stamps and related registration schemes for electronic products ?
The BIS issues several standards mark, also known as stamps , to certify that product meets Indian safety and quality standards . the types of mark varies depending on the product and some are mandatory for sale in India.
- Electronic products covered under the compulsory registration scheme are stamped with a registration stamp.
What are categories under which complaints can be filed with BIS ?
- Quality of BIS certified products including product under the compulsory registration scheme and hallmarking scheme.
- Misuse of the BIS standard mark violation of quality control order.
- Misleading claims of conformity to IS
- Other miscellaneous complaints related to services provided by BIS.
How can a complaint can be filed?
Complaint can be filed both offline and online via post, email, mobile app, or the BIS consumer portal. Complaint can also be filed by visiting the nearest branch office.
Can complaint about corruption also be made at BIS ?
BIS has a Vigilance department to handle such complaints. Therefore , it is advisable to submit such complaint directly to vigilance department by email. (e-mail: vigilance@bis.gov.in)
What constitutes the misuse of the BIS standard mark ?
- Under the provision of Section 13 of the BIS Act, 2016, the BIS issues licenses to use or apply the standard mark.
- Under the provision of Section 17 of BIS Act 2016, the use of the BIS standard mark by a jewelry manufacturer without a valid license for BIS or the use of a counterfeit or imitation of the standard mark amounts to misuse of the standard mark.
What are the grounds of BIS raids ( search and seizure operations) and how are they conducted?
Written complaint ,email, website, online portal raids ( search and seizure) are conducted based on information received from an informant through the BIS , which is centrally recorded online. The information received is verified through a due diligence check, after which the raid is conducted . upon completion of a successful raid , a legal case is initiated in court under the BIS Act ,2016.
