BIS Certification India 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

What is BIS?

BIS stands for Bureau of Indian Standards. 

BIS is India's national body for standards. It checks that products are safe and good quality. It works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

What is BIS Certification?

BIS certification means a product has passed testing. It meets India's rules for safety and quality. Once it passes, it can be sold legally in India.

So what is a BIS certificate? It's simple: it's proof. Proof that a product was tested and approved against an Indian Standard (IS).

Before 1987, this body was called the Indian Standards Institution (ISI). Then it became BIS. But the old ISI mark is still used today. So if you searched "isi mark full form," here it is: ISI means Indian Standards Institute. It's the older name for BIS.

If a product has a BIS mark or ISI mark, it passed real testing. If it fails the test, it cannot be made, brought into India, or sold here.

Why Does BIS Certification Matter?

Beyond being a legal requirement, BIS certification has practical implications for how your product performs in the Indian market.

• Legal compliance — Products without the required certification can be detained at customs, pulled from shelves, or result in fines and legal proceedings under the BIS Act 2016. Penalties can reach ₹5 lakh with potential criminal liability in repeat cases.
• Consumer confidence — The ISI mark is one of the most recognised quality signals in India. Certified products consistently perform better in retail and on e-commerce platforms like Amazon India and Flipkart, which require BIS registration for electronics listings.
• Market access for foreign manufacturers — For international companies, BIS registration under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme is the established route to enter India's consumer market. Without it, products regularly face import rejections or indefinite clearance delays.
• Quality assurance — The testing and audit process required for certification helps identify product or manufacturing issues before goods reach end users, reducing the risk of recalls or complaints.

Types of BIS Certification

There are four main types. Which one you need depends on your product and where you're based.

1. ISI Mark (Scheme I) — With Factory Check

This is the oldest and most common type. It needs two things: product testing, and a factory visit by BIS officers.

It covers things like:

• Electrical items (fans, geysers)
• Building materials (cement, steel)
• Car safety items (helmets, tyres, safety glass)
• Food items (bottled water, milk powder)
• Home items (LPG cylinders, pressure cookers)

Time needed: 6 to 8 months Valid for: 1 year (you can renew it)

2. BIS CRS Registration (Scheme II) — No Factory Check

BIS CRS means Compulsory Registration Scheme. It started in 2012. It covers electronics and IT items. BIS and the IT Ministry (MeitY) run it together.

Good news: no factory visit needed. But product testing is still required. You apply through the crsbis portal at crsbis.in.

It covers things like mobile phones, laptops, tablets, chargers, LED lights, smartwatches, and power banks.

Time needed: 2 to 3 months Valid for: 2 years

3. Hallmark Certification — For Gold and Silver Jewellery

If you sell gold or silver jewellery in India, you need this. It proves how pure your metal is. This covers 22K and 24K gold, and 92.5% pure silver.

You register on the BIS portal. Once approved, it never expires. But you must keep following BIS purity rules after that.

4. FMCS — For Manufacturers Outside India

FMCS stands for Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme. It's for companies that make products outside India but want to sell in India.

It's similar to the ISI scheme, but BIS checks your factory overseas. You also need to hire an AIR — an Authorised Indian Representative. This is a person or company in India who handles your paperwork and stays in contact with BIS.

It covers things like industrial chemicals, steel, cement, safety glass, footwear, and electronics.

Which Products Need BIS Certification?

BIS keeps a list of products that must be certified. It gets updated often. Here are the main groups:

• Electronics and IT — phones, laptops, chargers, LED lamps, batteries, smartwatches
• Building materials — cement, steel, safety glass, PVC pipes
• Vehicles — helmets, tyres, rims
• Food and drinks — bottled water, milk powder
• Home items — LPG cylinders, pressure cookers, geysers
• Chemicals — PVC and industrial solvents

This list changes often. So before you start, check the latest BIS standards or talk to an expert.

How BIS Certification Works: Step by Step

Step 1: Check If You Need BIS Certification

The first step is to determine whether your product requires BIS certification and identify the applicable certification scheme. Depending on the product category, it may fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), ISI Certification, FMCS, or a voluntary certification scheme. You should also identify the relevant Indian Standard (IS) number that applies to your product before proceeding with the application process.

Step 2: Appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR)

Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) before applying for BIS certification. The AIR acts as the official point of contact between the manufacturer and BIS, handles regulatory documentation, and assists in communication throughout the certification process.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

Before submitting your application, collect all necessary documents, including manufacturing licences, product specifications, test reports, factory information, and a signed conformity affidavit. Having complete and accurate documentation helps prevent delays and increases the chances of approval.

Step 4: Get Your Product Tested

Product samples must be tested at a BIS-recognized laboratory to verify compliance with the applicable Indian Standard. The test report submitted with the application should generally be no older than 90 days from the date of application.

Step 5: Factory Inspection

Factory inspections are required for ISI Certification and the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). During the inspection, BIS officials evaluate the manufacturing facility, quality control procedures, and production processes. For foreign manufacturers, BIS representatives may conduct the inspection at the overseas manufacturing location.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Once testing and documentation are complete, submit the application through the appropriate BIS portal. Applications for ISI and FMCS certifications are generally submitted through the Manak Online portal, while CRS applications are submitted through the CRS portal. All supporting documents and test reports must be uploaded along with the application.

Step 7: Receive BIS Approval

After reviewing the application, test reports, and supporting documents, BIS issues a certification licence if all requirements are met. Once approved, the manufacturer can legally use the BIS or ISI mark on the certified product and market it in India..

What Documents Do You Need?

Note: The exact papers you need depend on your scheme (ISI, CRS, FMCS, or Scheme-X) and your product type.

How Much Does BIS Certification Cost?

Cost depends on your product, your scheme, and how much testing you need. Here's a rough guide:

You may also pay for shipping samples, notary fees, translation, and your AIR's service fee.

Common Problems You Might Face

• Paperwork mistakes. Each Indian Standard has its own rules. Wrong or missing papers is the top reason applications get rejected.
• Long test waits. Labs can get busy. LED and lighting products often wait four to six months for test results.
• Translation errors. Foreign companies sometimes misread Indian rules or get terms wrong. One Korean manufacturer labelled their plastics wrong by mistake — just from a translation error. It caused a violation.
• Staying compliant after you're certified. Getting the licence isn't the end. BIS can check your products anytime. If you change your design, materials, or how you make the product, you may need to apply again and retest.

Why BIS Certification Helps Your Business

• Wins you government contracts. Many government and defence tenders require BIS registration.
• Gets you on Amazon and Flipkart. Both sites need BIS certification for electronics. Certified sellers get seen more often.
• Speeds up customs. BIS-certified goods move faster through customs under the "Trusted Trader" rule.
• Protects you legally. It's proof you followed the rules. This lowers your risk of fines or bans.
• Builds your brand. Indian shoppers trust the ISI mark. It's good for sales, not just rules.

BIS Certification Help Across India

PSR Compliance helps businesses all over India. This includes Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Noida, Ghaziabad, Pune, Lucknow, and Chandigarh.

Whether you're an Indian company that needs an ISI mark, or a foreign company that needs FMCS approval, we can help. We handle everything — from picking the right scheme, to paperwork, to lab testing, to AIR services.

How PSR Compliance Helps You

We manage your full BIS registration, start to finish:

• Find the right scheme and Indian Standard for your product
• Prepare and check all your documents
• Set up product testing with approved labs
• Act as your AIR, or find one for you
• Help you get ready for the factory check
• Submit your application and talk to BIS for you
• Manage your renewals and ongoing compliance

Not sure which scheme fits your product? Talk to our team. Your first consultation is free.