BIS Certification in India is a conformity assessment framework administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to establish that applicable products conform to relevant Indian Standards and regulatory requirements. Depending on the product, applicable Indian Standard, government notification and BIS scheme, certification or registration may be voluntary or mandatory.

For manufacturers, importers and eligible foreign manufacturers, determining the applicable BIS requirement is an important step before supplying regulated products in the Indian market.

What Is BIS Certification?

BIS Certification is a conformity assessment mechanism through which applicable products are evaluated against relevant Indian Standards and requirements under the applicable BIS scheme.

The exact certification or registration route depends on factors such as:

• Product category
• Applicable Indian Standard
• BIS scheme
• Government notification or Quality Control Order (QCO)
• Manufacturer location
• Testing requirements
• Applicable compliance and marking requirements

Therefore, there is no single BIS process that applies to every product.

Businesses should first determine whether their product is covered by a mandatory BIS requirement and identify the applicable standard and scheme.

Why Is BIS Certification Important?

BIS Certification can help businesses demonstrate that applicable products conform to relevant Indian Standards and regulatory requirements.

Where BIS compliance is mandatory, obtaining the applicable licence or registration may be necessary before the product can be legally supplied in the Indian market, subject to the applicable regulation.

BIS compliance may be relevant for businesses because it can:

• Support conformity with applicable Indian Standards
• Address product safety and quality requirements
• Facilitate regulatory compliance
• Support market access for applicable regulated products
• Establish a structured product conformity process
• Help manufacturers and importers meet applicable government requirements

Who Needs BIS Certification in India?

BIS requirements can apply to different types of businesses depending on the product and applicable regulation.

These may include:

• Indian manufacturers
• Foreign manufacturers
• Importers
• Businesses supplying regulated products in India
• Product manufacturers covered by applicable Quality Control Orders or other notifications

However, not every product requires BIS Certification.

The applicability should always be checked against the specific product, Indian Standard, BIS scheme and current regulatory notification.

Is BIS Certification Mandatory in India?

BIS Certification is not universally mandatory for every product.

Depending on the applicable product and regulatory framework, BIS compliance may be:

• Mandatory
• Voluntary
• Applicable through a specific BIS scheme or registration framework

Certain products become subject to compulsory compliance through government notifications and Quality Control Orders (QCOs).

Therefore, businesses should not assume that every product requires the same BIS certification route.

Which Products Require BIS Certification?

BIS applicability is product-specific.

Products may become subject to BIS requirements when they are covered by an applicable Indian Standard and relevant government notification, Quality Control Order or BIS scheme.

Depending on the regulatory framework, BIS-related requirements can apply across different product categories, including certain:

• Electrical products
• Electronics and IT products
• Steel and metal products
• Cement and construction-related products
• Household products
• Industrial products
• Machinery and equipment
• Other notified products

The applicable requirement should always be verified for the specific product because standards, notifications and requirements can change.

Types of BIS Certification and Applicable Schemes

BIS operates different conformity assessment and registration frameworks. The applicable route depends on the product and regulatory requirements.

BIS Product Certification / Scheme-I

BIS Product Certification is associated with the use of the BIS Standard Mark for products covered under the applicable certification scheme and Indian Standard.

The manufacturer must meet the applicable product, testing, manufacturing and quality-control requirements before the relevant licence can be granted.

BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) is a separate BIS registration framework covering notified products, particularly certain Electronics and IT products.

Products covered by CRS must meet the applicable requirements before they can be supplied in the Indian market.

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)

The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is relevant to eligible foreign manufacturers seeking BIS certification for applicable products.

Foreign manufacturers may need to satisfy applicable testing, manufacturing, assessment and documentation requirements under the relevant BIS framework.

BIS Scheme X

Scheme X is another BIS conformity assessment route applicable to specified products under the relevant regulatory framework.

Its applicability, requirements and certification process depend on the product and current BIS/government requirements.

BIS Certification Requirements

The requirements for BIS Certification vary according to the product and applicable scheme.

Common requirements may include:

• Identification of the applicable Indian Standard
• Product specifications
• Appropriate product testing
• Manufacturing facility information
• Quality-control arrangements
• Technical documentation
• Product drawings, where applicable
• Labelling and marking information
• Required declarations
• Scheme-specific documentation
• Compliance with applicable regulatory requirements

The exact requirements should always be confirmed against the applicable product standard and BIS scheme.

BIS Certification Process in India

The BIS Certification process depends on the applicable scheme, but a typical process may involve the following stages:

1. Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

First, determine which Indian Standard applies to the product.

2. Determine the Applicable BIS Scheme

The applicable route may depend on the product and regulatory framework, such as product certification, CRS, FMCS or another applicable scheme.

3. Evaluate Product and Manufacturing Requirements

Review the applicable technical, manufacturing, testing and quality-control requirements.

4. Prepare Required Documentation

Prepare the technical and business documents required under the applicable scheme.

5. Product Testing

Where required, product samples are tested through an appropriate laboratory or testing route permitted under the applicable BIS framework.

6. Submit the Application

Submit the relevant application and supporting documents through the applicable BIS process.

7. Assessment or Inspection

Depending on the scheme, BIS may assess the manufacturing facility, quality-control arrangements, testing facilities or other relevant requirements.

8. BIS Evaluation

BIS reviews the application, test results, assessment findings and other applicable compliance information.

9. Grant of Licence or Registration

After successful completion of the applicable requirements, BIS may grant the relevant licence or registration.

10. Ongoing Compliance

After certification or registration, the manufacturer may need to continue meeting applicable testing, quality-control, marking and other compliance requirements.

Important: The exact process is scheme- and product-specific. Businesses should not assume that every BIS application follows the same sequence.

Documents Required for BIS Certification

The required documents depend on the product and applicable BIS scheme.

Commonly required information may include:

• Manufacturer details
• Company information
• Product specifications
• Technical documents
• Test reports
• Manufacturing details
• Quality-control information
• Product drawings
• Component details, where applicable
• Labelling and marking information
• Declarations and undertakings
• Scheme-specific documents

The final document checklist should always be confirmed against the applicable product standard and BIS scheme.

BIS Certification Cost in India

There is no single fixed BIS Certification cost applicable to every product.

The total cost can vary depending on factors such as:

• Product category
• Applicable Indian Standard
• BIS scheme
• Testing requirements
• Laboratory charges
• Inspection or assessment requirements
• Application and licence/registration fees
• Marking-related charges
• Number of products or models
• Professional consultancy charges, where applicable

For this reason, businesses should obtain a product-specific BIS cost estimate rather than relying on a generic price.

BIS Certification Timeline

The time required for BIS certification or registration can vary significantly depending on the product and applicable scheme.

Factors that may influence the timeline include:

• Complexity of the product
• Testing requirements
• Availability of test facilities
• Completeness of documentation
• Application processing
• Factory assessment, where applicable
• Queries or deficiencies raised during evaluation
• Scheme-specific requirements

Therefore, a fixed timeline should not be promised without evaluating the specific product and applicable BIS route.

BIS Certification Validity and Renewal

The validity and renewal requirements depend on the applicable BIS scheme, licence or registration framework.

Businesses should monitor:

• Licence or registration validity
• Renewal requirements
• Applicable testing requirements
• Changes in Indian Standards
• Changes in government notifications or QCOs
• Marking and quality-control requirements

The applicable BIS rules should be checked before renewal because regulatory requirements can change.

BIS Certification for Manufacturers and Importers

BIS requirements can apply to Indian manufacturers as well as businesses importing regulated products.

Manufacturers may need to demonstrate conformity of their products and manufacturing processes with applicable requirements.

Importers should determine whether the imported product is covered by a mandatory BIS requirement before placing it in the Indian market.

The exact compliance route depends on the product, manufacturer location, applicable Indian Standard and BIS scheme.

BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers supplying applicable regulated products in India may need to follow a relevant BIS certification route.

Depending on the product and applicable requirements, eligible foreign manufacturers may be covered under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) or another applicable BIS framework.

Foreign manufacturers should evaluate:

• Applicable Indian Standard
• Product applicability
• BIS scheme
• Testing requirements
• Manufacturing facility requirements
• Factory assessment requirements
• Documentation
• Indian representative or other applicable requirements

The exact requirements should be verified for the specific product.

BIS Certification vs BIS CRS

BIS Certification and BIS CRS are related to product conformity but are not the same framework.

The correct route depends on the specific product and current regulatory requirements.

What Is the BIS Standard Mark?

The BIS Standard Mark is associated with products certified under applicable BIS product certification requirements.

The use of the mark, marking details and applicable licence conditions depend on the relevant BIS scheme and product requirements.

Businesses should follow the applicable marking and labelling requirements rather than assuming that the same marking rules apply to every BIS-related product.

Benefits of BIS Certification

Where applicable, BIS certification can help businesses:

• Demonstrate conformity with relevant Indian Standards
• Meet applicable regulatory requirements
• Support product quality and safety objectives
• Facilitate market access for regulated products
• Establish structured quality-control processes
• Build confidence among customers and business partners
• Support compliance with applicable government requirements

What Happens If BIS Certification Is Required but Not Obtained?

If a product is subject to mandatory BIS requirements, businesses must comply with the applicable regulatory framework before supplying the product in India.

The consequences of non-compliance depend on the specific law, notification, Quality Control Order, product and applicable regulatory framework.

Businesses should therefore determine BIS applicability before manufacturing, importing or supplying products covered by mandatory requirements.

Why Choose Grant Tech Solution for BIS Certification?

Grant Tech Solution assists businesses with regulatory and product certification requirements, including BIS-CRS Registration and BIS-ISI Mark Certification.

Our assistance can include:

• BIS requirement assessment
• Product applicability evaluation
• Documentation support
• Testing coordination
• Application assistance
• Certification-related compliance support
• Guidance on applicable BIS schemes

Before starting the application process, businesses should identify the product category, manufacturer location, applicable Indian Standard and relevant BIS scheme.

Need BIS Certification in India?

If you are unsure whether your product requires BIS Certification or which BIS scheme applies to your product, Grant Tech Solution can help you assess the applicable requirements and certification route.

Get in touch with Grant Tech Solution for BIS Certification assistance in India.

Frequently Asked Questions About BIS Certification

What is BIS Certification in India?

BIS Certification is a conformity assessment framework administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards to establish conformity with applicable Indian Standards and regulatory requirements.

Is BIS Certification mandatory for all products?

No. BIS requirements depend on the product, applicable Indian Standard, BIS scheme and government notifications or Quality Control Orders.

Who needs BIS Certification?

Depending on the applicable requirements, Indian manufacturers, foreign manufacturers and businesses supplying or importing regulated products may need to comply with BIS requirements.

How much does BIS Certification cost?

There is no universal cost. The total expense depends on the product, applicable scheme, testing, assessment, BIS fees and other applicable charges.

How long does BIS Certification take?

The timeline varies by product and scheme and can be affected by testing, documentation, assessment and BIS evaluation.

What documents are required for BIS Certification?

Documents vary by product and scheme but may include manufacturer details, product specifications, test reports, technical documents, manufacturing information, quality-control details and marking information.

What is the difference between BIS Certification and BIS CRS?

BIS Product Certification and CRS are different BIS conformity/registration frameworks. The applicable route depends on the product and relevant regulatory requirements.

Do foreign manufacturers need BIS Certification?

Foreign manufacturers may need BIS certification or another applicable BIS compliance route when supplying products covered by mandatory requirements in India.

Can importers apply for BIS Certification?

The applicable route depends on the product, manufacturer, scheme and regulatory requirements. Importers should first determine whether the product is subject to mandatory BIS compliance.

How can I check whether my product requires BIS Certification?

The applicability should be checked against the relevant Indian Standard, BIS scheme and current government notification or Quality Control Order for the product.