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If you manufacture or import products like electrical appliances, cement, steel, LPG cylinders, or pressure cookers in India, chances are your goods cannot legally be sold without BIS ISI Mark certification. The ISI mark, issued under BIS Scheme I, is currently mandatory for over 650 product categories covered under 150+ Quality Control Orders (QCOs), and this list keeps expanding as the government notifies new sectors. Getting certified traditionally means clearing a full factory inspection, product testing at a BIS-recognized lab, and ongoing surveillance audits, a process that protects consumers but has historically taken anywhere from 3 to 18 months depending on how prepared your facility is.
That process just got a meaningful update: in June 2026, DPIIT introduced the Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026, a new risk-based compliance framework that lets qualifying manufacturers in select product groups skip the traditional factory-inspection route and use the faster, self-declaration-based Scheme II process instead. This is one of the most significant changes to India's BIS compliance system in years, and knowing whether your product qualifies for this faster path, or still needs the traditional ISI route, is the first thing to figure out before you apply.
The ISI Mark is a recognised product quality and standards-compliance mark associated with BIS certification in India.
The ISI Mark — short for Indian Standards Institution — is one of India's most recognised product quality marks. Today, the mark is associated with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and indicates that a product conforms to an applicable Indian Standard.
ISI certification comes under the BIS Product Certification Scheme. For products covered under mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs), manufacturers must obtain the required BIS licence before legally selling the product in India.
The product is tested against the applicable Indian Standard through the required conformity assessment process.
BIS may assess the manufacturing facility and quality-control arrangements as required under the applicable certification scheme.
Applications for BIS product certification are submitted through the official BIS online system.
A pressure cooker carrying the applicable ISI Mark has undergone the required conformity assessment process for the relevant Indian Standard. If the product falls under a mandatory QCO, the required BIS licence must be obtained before it can be legally sold in India.
The ISI mark is more than a quality label — for many product categories, it's a legal requirement to sell in India at all.
BIS has notified over 900 Indian Standards across product categories, but only products under an active Quality Control Order (QCO) require mandatory ISI certification — currently 150+ product categories. Below are the main groups, with the applicable Indian Standard cited where a single dominant standard governs the category.
| Category | Products / Examples | Applicable IS Standard Mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical & Electronics | Cables & wires, switches & sockets, ceiling and exhaust fans, LED lamps and bulbs, home appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and mixers | PVC insulated cables — IS 694 |
| Building Materials | Cement, TMT bars and mild steel, ceramic tiles and sanitary ware, safety and float glass | Ordinary Portland Cement — IS 269 |
| Food & Beverages | Packaged drinking water, edible oils, dairy products, packaged fruit juices, and snacks | Packaged drinking water — IS 14543 |
| Automobile Components | Two-wheeler helmets, tyres and tubes, automotive batteries, brake linings, and pads | Two-wheeler helmets — IS 4151 |
| Medical Devices | Syringes and needles, diagnostic tools such as BP monitors and thermometers, and other medical equipment | — |
| Water & Plumbing Products | Pipes and fittings, water storage tanks, and water purifiers | — |
| Consumer Goods | Pressure cookers, LPG cylinders and valves, plastic toys, and educational toys | — |
| Textile Products | Fabrics, clothing, and bedding | — |
| Rubber & Plastic Products | Rubber sheets and mats, plastic bottles and containers, and plastic pipes | — |
| Chemicals | Fertilizers, detergents and cleaning products, paints and varnishes | — |
Not sure if your specific product is covered? Check the current QCO list on the official BIS website (bis.gov.in), or get a free product assessment from our team
BIS offers two routes to ISI certification.
| Normal Procedure | Simplified Procedure | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | First-time applicants without existing test reports | Applicants who already hold valid test reports from a BIS-recognised lab |
| Factory inspection timing | Before certification is granted | Runs in parallel with document review |
| Typical timeline | 60–65 days | 35–40 days |
| Best for | Manufacturers setting up compliance from scratch | Manufacturers already testing in-house or through a BIS-recognised lab |
Under the Normal Procedure, the applicant first ensures the product meets the applicable IS, sets up required in-house testing facilities, and compiles documentation. BIS officials then visit the factory, seal product samples on-site, and send them to a BIS-recognised lab for independent testing. If both the inspection and test results are compliant, BIS grants the ISI certification.
Under the Simplified Procedure, the applicant submits existing BIS-tested sample reports along with the online application and fees. BIS still inspects the factory and takes sealed samples for testing, but because part of the testing groundwork is already done, approval is faster.
Acquiring an ISI mark involves multiple steps to ensure adherence to BIS standards. Here’s a breakdown of the certification process:
Certification cost depends on product type, manufacturing setup, and the applicable Indian Standard. Here's how the fee structure breaks down:
| Fee Type | Amount | When It's Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | ₹1,000 | At the time of application submission |
| Processing Fee | ₹2,000 | During document review and compliance check |
| Factory Inspection Fee | ₹7,000 | Before or during the BIS factory visit |
| Laboratory Testing Charges | Varies by product & test count | At the testing stage |
| ISI Marking Fee | Variable — based on product category & production volume | Ongoing, per BIS marking fee guidelines |
| Other Charges | Travel/accommodation for inspectors (remote factories), renewal fees | As applicable |
Application fees are non-refundable, even if the application is later rejected or withdrawn.
Because these variables shift the total significantly, get a specific quote for your product rather than relying on a single flat number — our team can put one together after a quick product review.
An ISI license doesn't last indefinitely:
Yes, ISI certification is mandatory for 150+ products notified under Quality Control Orders (QCOs), including helmets, cement, gas stoves, electrical goods, and more.
You can verify whether your product falls under mandatory BIS certification by checking the latest QCO notifications issued by the Government of India.
The process includes application filing, document submission, product testing in a BIS-approved lab, and factory inspection. Approval usually takes 35–65 days.
Costs vary based on product type and volume and include application fees, testing charges, inspection fees, license fees, and marking fees. Application fees are non-refundable.
Common documents include company registration proof, GST, factory address proof, manufacturing process flowchart, and testing equipment details.
Yes, each factory location requires a separate BIS license, even if the same product is manufactured at multiple sites.
BIS is the regulatory authority, while the ISI mark is the certification mark that confirms a product complies with BIS standards.
If a product fails testing, the manufacturer must rectify the issues, submit fresh samples, and restart the testing process.
The ISI license is generally valid for 1 year (sometimes longer under specific schemes) and must be renewed before expiry.
Yes, foreign manufacturers can apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) by appointing an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
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