What is BIS Certification?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s national standards body, was established under the BIS Act, 2016, succeeding the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) founded in 1947. BIS develops and enforces Indian Standards (IS) to ensure product quality, safety, and reliability across industries like electronics, automotive, consumer goods, and more. BIS certification verifies that a product complies with these standards, signified by the ISI Mark for industrial and consumer goods or the CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) mark for electronics and IT products.
BIS certification is voluntary for many products, allowing manufacturers to demonstrate a commitment to quality and gain a competitive edge. However, for over 380 products, it is mandatory under Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Government of India. These mandates ensure consumer safety, environmental protection, and fair trade practices, making BIS certification essential for legal market access in India. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, including fines starting at ₹2 lakh, imprisonment up to two years, product seizures, or market bans.
The Importance of BIS Certification Consultancy Services
The BIS certification process is complex, involving multiple steps such as identifying applicable standards, preparing documentation, coordinating product testing, and undergoing factory audits. For manufacturers—especially small-scale businesses, startups, or foreign entities unfamiliar with Indian regulations—this process can be daunting. BIS certification consultancy services bridge this gap, offering specialized expertise to streamline compliance. Here’s why these services are indispensable:
Regulatory Expertise: Consultants are well-versed in BIS regulations, QCOs, and Indian Standards, ensuring accurate compliance with the latest requirements.
Documentation Support: They assist in preparing and submitting precise applications, minimizing errors that could lead to rejections or delays.
Testing Coordination: Consultants manage product testing at BIS-approved laboratories, ensuring test reports align with Indian Standard Specifications (ISS).
Audit Preparation: They guide manufacturers through BIS factory inspections, addressing gaps in quality control or infrastructure.
Time and Cost Efficiency: By avoiding common pitfalls like incomplete documentation or non-compliant testing, consultants reduce delays and additional costs.
Support for Foreign Manufacturers: For overseas applicants, consultants act as or connect with Authorized Indian Representatives (AIR), fulfilling BIS requirements for the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).
Without professional support, manufacturers risk prolonged timelines, regulatory penalties, or inability to enter the Indian market. Consultancy services are critical for achieving BIS certification swiftly and cost-effectively, ensuring products bear trusted marks like the ISI or CRS Mark.
BIS Certification Consultancy Services for Indian Manufacturers
Indian manufacturers, ranging from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to large corporations, face unique challenges in navigating BIS certification. Consultancy services tailored for domestic producers simplify compliance with Scheme-I (ISI Mark) for industrial goods or Scheme-II (CRS) for electronics, enabling seamless market access. Key benefits for Indian manufacturers include:
Process Optimization: Consultants assess production facilities, quality control systems, and testing capabilities to align with BIS standards.
Simplified Procedures: For eligible products, consultants leverage BIS’s simplified procedure (Option 2), using valid test reports to expedite licensing within 60–90 days.
Tatkal Scheme Support: For urgent certifications, consultants facilitate the Tatkal Scheme, ensuring faster processing (within 30 days) for mandatory products.
Audit Readiness: They prepare manufacturers for BIS factory inspections, ensuring compliance with quality management and manufacturing standards.
Testing Support: Consultants coordinate with BIS-recognized labs to produce ISS-compliant test reports, minimizing re-testing risks.
By partnering with a consultancy like MSCi, Indian manufacturers can efficiently secure BIS certification, display the ISI Mark, and enhance product credibility in the competitive domestic market.
What are Quality Control Orders (QCOs)?
Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are government mandates issued under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016, requiring mandatory BIS certification for specific products. QCOs aim to protect public health, ensure consumer safety, safeguard the environment, and prevent unfair trade practices. Products under QCOs cannot be manufactured, imported, sold, or distributed in India without a valid BIS license or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) and the appropriate BIS Standard Mark (ISI or CRS).
QCOs are issued by ministries such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for electronics or the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for industrial goods. As of 2025, over 380 products are covered, with the list frequently updated. Non-compliance with QCOs can result in severe consequences, making it critical for manufacturers to stay informed and compliant.
Who Needs BIS Certification in India?
BIS certification is mandatory for:
Manufacturers: Indian and foreign producers of QCO-covered products, such as electronics, toys, or medical devices, must obtain BIS certification to legally operate in India.
Importers: Those importing mandatory products need BIS certification to ensure compliance before market entry.
Distributors and Retailers: While they do not apply for licenses, they must ensure products they sell bear the BIS Standard Mark if required by QCOs.
Jewelers: Those dealing in gold or silver jewelry must comply with BIS hallmarking schemes.
Voluntary BIS certification is pursued by manufacturers of non-mandatory products to enhance market competitiveness, meet procurement requirements, and build consumer trust. The ISI Mark, a symbol of quality since 1955, is widely recognized as a mark of reliability in India.
Which Products Require BIS Certification?
As of 2025, mandatory BIS certification applies to over 380 products under QCOs, including:
Electronics and IT: Smartphones, laptops, power banks, LED lights, and adapters (under CRS, Scheme-II).
Electrical Appliances: Cables, switches, electric irons, water heaters, and domestic gas stoves.
Industrial Materials: Cement, steel, aluminum foils, polyethylene products, and chemicals.
Consumer Goods: Toys, helmets, pressure cookers, safety footwear, and woven ground covers.
Medical Devices: Syringes, catheters, diagnostic equipment, and orthopedic implants.
Jewelry: Gold and silver jewelry under BIS hallmarking schemes.
Automotive Components: Wheel rims, safety glass, and two-wheeler helmets.
Manufacturers must consult the BIS website or expert consultants to stay updated on the evolving QCO list, as new products are frequently added.
Who Can Apply for BIS Certification?
Eligible applicants for BIS certification include:
Indian Manufacturers: Domestic producers with facilities in India, applying under Scheme-I (ISI Mark) or Scheme-II (CRS).
Foreign Manufacturers: Overseas producers under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), requiring an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
Importers: Those importing QCO-covered products to ensure compliance before market entry.
Jewelers: For hallmarking of gold and silver jewelry.
Applicants must maintain adequate manufacturing and testing facilities, comply with Indian Standard Specifications (ISS), and pay required fees, including application, audit, license, and marking fees. Each product and manufacturing location requires a separate application.
How MSCi Simplifies Your BIS Certification Journey
MSCi, a leading BIS certification consultancy, offers comprehensive, end-to-end support to streamline the certification process for both Indian and foreign manufacturers. MSCi’s services are designed to minimize complexity, reduce costs, and accelerate market entry. Key offerings include:
Regulatory Guidance: MSCi identifies applicable Indian Standards and QCOs, ensuring full compliance with current regulations.
Documentation Assistance: MSCi prepares and submits accurate applications, including Form V for Scheme-I or Form II for CRS, along with supporting documents like production details and quality control plans.
Testing Facilitation: MSCi coordinates with BIS-approved laboratories to conduct product testing, ensuring test reports meet ISS and remain valid (up to 90 days for simplified procedures).
Audit Preparation: MSCi conducts pre-audits to address gaps in quality control or infrastructure, ensuring readiness for BIS factory inspections.
AIR Services: For foreign manufacturers, MSCi acts as or connects with an AIR, facilitating communication and compliance under FMCS.
Fast-Track Options: MSCi leverages simplified procedures or the Tatkal Scheme to expedite certification, achieving timelines of 60–90 days for domestic manufacturers or 5–6 months for FMCS.
Ongoing Compliance: MSCi supports license renewals (valid for 2 years, renewable up to 5 years) and monitors regulatory updates to keep clients compliant.
By partnering with MSCi, manufacturers can navigate the BIS certification process with confidence, avoiding common pitfalls and achieving market success.
How Can Manufacturers Get the ISI Mark?
The ISI Mark, a trusted symbol of quality under Scheme-I of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018, is granted through a structured process. Here’s how manufacturers can obtain it:
Standard Identification: Confirm the relevant Indian Standard (IS) using BIS resources or consultancy support.
Application Submission: Submit Form V online via the BIS portal, including documents like production process details, quality control plans, and testing equipment lists.
Factory Audit: BIS inspects the manufacturing facility to verify infrastructure, quality controls, and testing capabilities, often collecting samples for testing.
Product Testing: Submit samples to BIS-approved labs for testing. Test reports must comply with ISS and remain valid (up to 90 days for simplified procedures).
Fee Payment: Pay application, audit, license, and marking fees. Foreign manufacturers must provide a $10,000 Performance Bank Guarantee.
License Issuance: Upon successful inspection and testing, BIS grants the license, allowing the use of the ISI Mark. The process typically takes 60–90 days for domestic manufacturers and 5–6 months for foreign manufacturers under FMCS.
Consultants like MSCi streamline this process by managing documentation, testing, and audits, ensuring compliance and efficiency at every step.
List of Manufacturers That Can Apply for the ISI Mark
Manufacturers eligible to apply for the ISI Mark under Scheme-I include:
Indian Manufacturers: Domestic producers of cement, steel, electrical appliances, toys, helmets, food products, or other QCO-covered goods.
Foreign Manufacturers: Overseas producers of QCO-covered products, such as chemicals, medical devices, or consumer goods, applying through FMCS with an AIR.
ECO Mark Applicants: Manufacturers of eco-friendly products seeking the ECO Mark, which combines the ISI Mark with an ECO logo.
Specialized Producers: Those manufacturing niche products like safety glass, wheel rims, or heating oil under QCOs.
MSMEs: Micro and small-scale manufacturers, with optional inspection and testing schemes for certain products like consumer footwear.
Applicants must maintain in-house testing facilities, adhere to ISS, and implement robust quality control systems to qualify.
Why Choose MSCi for BIS Certification?
MSCi stands out as a premier BIS certification consultancy due to its comprehensive, client-centric approach. Here’s why manufacturers choose MSCi:
Specialized Expertise: Extensive experience in guiding manufacturers through Scheme-I and Scheme-II certifications across diverse industries.
End-to-End Support: From standard identification to post-certification compliance, MSCi offers a seamless certification journey.
Tailored Solutions: MSCi customizes its services to meet the unique needs of small-scale businesses, MSMEs, or multinational corporations.
Regulatory Vigilance: MSCi proactively monitors QCOs and BIS regulations, ensuring clients remain compliant with evolving standards.
Proven Track Record: MSCi’s history of successful certifications and client satisfaction underscores its reliability and efficiency.
By choosing MSCi, manufacturers gain a trusted partner to navigate the complexities of BIS certification, ensuring faster market entry and compliance with Indian regulations.
Conclusion
BIS certification is a critical requirement for manufacturers targeting India’s vast and competitive market. The ISI Mark and CRS Mark signify quality, safety, and compliance, fostering consumer trust and enabling legal market access. However, the certification process can be challenging, with intricate regulations, documentation, testing, and audits. MSCi’s BIS Certification Consultancy Services simplify this journey, offering expert regulatory guidance, documentation support, testing coordination, and audit preparation. By partnering with MSCi, manufacturers can efficiently secure BIS certification, display trusted quality marks, and thrive in India’s dynamic market. Whether you’re an Indian MSME or a foreign manufacturer, MSCi is your key to unlocking compliance and achieving long-term success.