What is BIS Certification?
BIS Certification mainly comprises product certification and system certification, which is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standard in compliance with the BIS Act, 2016 and Bureau of Indian Standard (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Mandatory Product Certification
Both product and system certification schemes are voluntary in nature. However, for certain products, the Central Government directs mandatory use of Standard Mark under a Licence or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from BIS through issuance of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) or Compulsory Registration Orders.
BIS certification includes four mandatory schemes:
Scheme-I Indian Standards Institution (ISI) Mark Scheme
Scheme-II Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)
Scheme-IV Grant of Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
Scheme-X Certification
FMCS Certification
BIS has been operating the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) since 2000, which allows foreign manufacturers to continue their businesses in India after receiving the BIS License. Under FMCS, license is granted for the use of Standard Mark on a product that conforms to an Indian Standard. The Scheme is applicable for grant of licence for all products except Electronics & IT Goods notified by MeitY.
Who must apply for BIS Certification?
Domestic or foreign manufacturer of products under compulsory certification (QCOs and Compulsory Registration Orders).
For foreign manufacturer, they are required to nominate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), who should be resident of India and will be responsible for preparation and application of BIS Certification as per BIS rules and regulations.
Which type of products need BIS Certification?
Since new types of products are constantly updated on the official BIS catalog, it is important to check the latest certification requirements of individual products with the authorities. Different schemes may share same product category, but are targeted at different individual products. Here is a brief overview of products under BIS Certification.
Scheme-I (through issuance of QCOs):
Cement
Household electrical goods
Batteries
Chemicals, fertilizers, polymers and textiles
...
Scheme-II (through issuance of Compulsory Registration Order):
Electronic and IT goods
Photovoltaics, systems, devices and components
Low- Voltage swtichgear and control gear
Chemicals
Textiles
Scheme-IV (through issuance of QCOs):
Stampings/laminations/cores of transformers (with or without winding);
Retro-Reflective Devices for Bicycles.
Scheme-X (through issuance of QCOs):
Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear
The complete mandatory list of products currently covered by BIS Certification can be found here.
How to apply for BIS Certification?
As mentioned earlier, there are currently three types of mandatory certification schemes. A domestic manufacturer needs to apply for use of Standard Mark under a BIS License or CoC. For manufacturers company or premises located outside of India, they need to submit FMCS applications for use of ISI Mark. Materials requirements vary by certification types.
Required Document
Following are the vital documents required for the three product certification schemes:
Certification Scheme | BIS Standard Mark | Materials Required |
Scheme-I |
| |
Scheme-II |
| |
Scheme-IV | Product or package shall be marked with Certificate of Conformity Number |
|
Scheme-X |
|
The documents required for FMCS Certification are as follows:
Comapny or factory registration certificate;
Nomination;
Process flow-chart;
Certifications or pre-certifications for the products, if any;
Drawing of the products/components (where applicable);
List of manufacturing machinery;
List of test equipment;
Test report;
Plant layout of the factory premises;
Declaration and undertaking.
Application Process
BIS Certification process differ for domestic and foreign manufacturers, in particular
For domestic manufacturers:
For foreign manufacturers:
For Scheme-I, Scheme-IV and Scheme-X, a factory inspection is required in addition to product testing. After grant of license/certificate, BIS may request random product audits. The license/certificate will be suspended or cancelled if the test report indicates non-conformity of the product to the relevant Indian Standard. In addition, any change to the manufacturing or product process will require retesting to maintain the certification validity.
Here is a comparison of three BIS Certification Schemes:
Validity | Process time | Marking | Product testing | Factory inspection | Follow-up audits | |
Scheme-I | 1-2 years | Within 90 days | ISI Mark | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Scheme-II | 2 years | Within 90 days | CRS Mark | Yes | No | Yes |
Scheme-IV | 1-2 years | Within 180 days | Certificate of Conformity Number | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Scheme-X | 3-6 years | Within 60 days | Standard Mark | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Regulated chemicals under BIS Certification
Under BIS Certification framework, chemicals are mainly regulated under ISI and CRS Scheme. Here is a latest list of chemical substances subject to QCOs and Compulsory Registration Order (updated on March 6, 2024):
ISI Standard Mark (Factory inspection is required)
Sr No. | IS No. | Products | Implementation date |
229 | IS 252:2013 | Caustic Soda | 2018.4.3 |
230 | IS 10116:2015 | Boric Acid | 2019.5.16 |
231 | IS 15573:2018 | Poly Aluminium Chloride | 2020.2.1 |
232 | IS 695:1986 | Acetic Acid | 2024.8.3 |
233 | IS 2833:1973 | Anihline | 2024.8.3 |
234 | IS 517:1986 | Methanol | 2024.8.3 |
235 | IS 5158:1987 | Phthalic Anhydride | 2023.6.22 |
236 | IS 8058:2018 | Pyridine | 2025.3.13 |
237 | IS 16113:2013 | Gamma Picoline | 2024.3.13 |
238 | IS 16112:2013 | Beta Picoline | 2025.3.13 |
239 | IS 12084:2018 | Morpholine | 2024.8.1 |
240 | IS 297:2001 | Sodium Sulphide | 2020.12.14 |
241 | IS 7129:1992 | Potassium Carbonate, Anhydrous | 2024.3.13 |
242 | IS 170:2004 | Acetone | 2024.3.13 |
243 | IS 4581:1978 | Phosphorous Trichloride, pure and analytical reagent | 2020.12.14 |
244 | IS 11744:1986 | Phosphorous Pentachloride | 2020.12.14 |
245 | IS 11657:1986 | Phosphorous Oxychloride | 2020.12.14 |
246 | IS 2080:2021 | Stabilized Hydrogen Peroxide | 2022.11.24 |
247 | IS 3205:1984 | Precipitated Barium Carbonate | 2020.12.14 |
248 | IS 12928:1990 | Precipitated Barium for Ceramic and Glass Industry | 2020.12.14 |
249 | IS 4505:2015 | Sodium Formaldehyde Sulphoxylate | 2020.12.14 |
250 | IS 6100:1984 | Sodium Tripolyphosphate , Anhydrous | 2025.3.13 |
251 | IS 14709:1999 | n-Butyl Acrylate | 2023.12.22 |
252 | IS 336:1973 | Ether | 2021.12.22 |
253 | IS 5295:1985 | Ethylene Glycol | 2021.12.22 |
254 | IS 537:2011 | Toluene | 2024.12.22 |
255 | IS 15030:2001 | Terephthalic Acid | 2023.6.22 |
256 | IS 14707:1999 | Methyl Acrylate | 2025.3.31 |
257 | IS 14708:1999 | Ethyl Acrylate | 2025.3.31 |
258 | IS 12345:1988 | Vinyl Acetate Monomer | 2025.3.31 |
259 | IS 4105:2020 | Styrene (Vinyl Benzene) | 2024.10.24 |
260 | IS 5149:2020 | Maleic Anhydride | 2024.10.24 |
261 | IS 12540:1988 | Acrylonitrile | 2024.10.24 |
262 | IS 17265:2019 | 100 Percent. Polyester Spun Grey and White Yarn (PSY) | 2023.10.5 |
263 | IS 17261:2019 | Polyester Continuous Filament Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY) | 2023.10.5 |
264 | IS 17264:2019 | Polyester Industrial Yarn (IDY) | 2023.10.5 |
265 | IS 17262:2019 | Polyester Partially Oriented Yarn (POY) | 2023.10.5 |
266 | IS 17263:2019 | Polyester Staple Fibres (PSF) | 2023.4.3 |
267 | IS 7328:2020 | Polyethylene Material for moulding and extrusion (i) Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) (ii) Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) (iii) High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) | 2024.1.5 |
268 | IS 11356:2020 | Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Latex | 2021.10.12 |
269 | IS 16481:2016 | Synthetic Micro-Fibres for use in Cement Based Matrix | 2023.4.3 |
270 | IS 12795:2020 | Linear Alkyl Benzene | 2023.4.3 |
271 | IS 13601:1993 | Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Copolymers | 2024.10.3 |
272 | IS 7686:2020 | 3(N, N-DiEthyl) Aminophenol | 2021.5.25 |
273 | IS 4566:2020 | Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane) | 2023.11.20 |
274 | IS 2012:2006 | Red Phosphorus | 2021.11.23 |
275 | IS17077:2019/ISO 19062-1 : 2015 | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) | 2023.6.12 |
276 | IS 869:2020 | Ethylene Dichloride | 2024.9.12 |
277 | IS 17370:2020 | p-Xylene | 2024.9.12 |
278 | IS 14434:1998 | Polycarbonate | 2024.9.12 |
279 | IS 17397 (Part 1) : 2020/ISO 16365-1 : 2014 | Polyurethanes | 2024.9.19 |
280 | IS 17442:2020 | Vinyl Chloride Monomer | 2024.9.12 |
281 | IS 17450 : 2020 | 1,3 Phenylenediamine | 2022.10.25 |
282 | IS 10931 :1984 | Lauric Acid | 2024.10.24 |
283 | IS 12029:1986 | Acid Oil | 2024.10.24 |
284 | IS 12067: 1987 | Palm Fatty Acids | 2024.10.24 |
285 | IS 12068 :1987 | Rice Bran Faty Acids | 2024.10.24 |
286 | IS 12069 : 1987 | Coconut Fatty Acids | 2024.10.24 |
287 | IS 12124 : 1987 | Rubberseed Fatty Acids | 2023.10.24 |
288 | IS 12361 :1988 | Hydrogenated Rice Bran Fatty Acids | 2024.10.24 |
605 | IS 17658:2021 | Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Homopolymers | 2024.8.25 |
606 | IS 10951: 2020 | Polypropylene (PP) Materials for Moulding and Extrusion | 2024.8.25 |
607 | IS 17042 (Part-1): 2018 | Diesel Engines – NOx Reduction Agent AUS 32 | 2024.8.25 |
Once the QCO starts to take effect, companies need to apply for License to use BIS Standard Mark to manufacture, import, distribute, sell, store, or exhibit for sale these chemicals. Export is exempted from QCOs.
As India relaxes its prevention and control measures on pandemic and focuses on stepping up chemical regulations, it is expected that there will be fewer QCOs delay. According to the source, the mandatory list will expand to add around 200-300 substances in the near future. ChemLinked will keep a close eye and update the latest information.
CRS Scheme (Factory inspection is not required)
SR No. | IS No. | Products | Implementation date |
1 | IS 798:2020 | Ortho Phosphoric Acid | 2022.12.10 |
2 | IS 17439:2020 | Polyphosphoric Acid | 2022.12.22 |
3 | IS 17412:2020 | Trimethyl Phosphite | 2022.10.3 |
Once the Compulsory Registration Order comes into force, companies are required to register with the Bureau and use BIS Standard Mark to manufacture, import, distribute, sell, store, or exhibit for sale these chemicals.