Published: 19 Oct 2026
Animal Feed Manufacturers Face Mandatory BIS Standard Mark as Government Notifies Quality Control Order for Three Feed Products
Omega QMS Compliance Insights
Omega QMS
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying) has notified the Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients (Quality Control) Order, 2026. The Order makes it compulsory for three specified feed products to conform to the corresponding Indian Standards and to bear the Standard Mark under a licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), with compliance dates phased by enterprise size.
The Order has been notified through S.O. 5576(E), dated 7 October 2026 (Gazette of India, Extraordinary, No. 5364, dated 12 October 2026), and came into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. The Standard Mark requirement itself applies from the dates specified in the Table to the Order.
WHAT’S COVERED?
New Quality Control Order — Notified Under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016
The Order is made under section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016), after consulting BIS, on the Central Government’s opinion that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest. It may be cited as the Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients (Quality Control) Order, 2026.
Products Covered — Three Animal Feed Products
The Table to the Order lists three products and their Indian Standards: mineral mixtures for supplementing cattle feeds (IS 1664), dicalcium phosphate, animal feed grade (IS 5470), and common salt and cattle licks for animal consumption (IS 920). The Order also provides that the latest version of each Indian Standard, including amendments notified by BIS from time to time, applies.
Compulsory Standard Mark — Conformity and a BIS Licence
The listed goods must conform to the corresponding Indian Standard and bear the Standard Mark under a licence from BIS, as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. BIS is the certifying and enforcing authority, and any person who contravenes the Order is punishable under the BIS Act, 2016.
Phased Compliance Dates — By Enterprise Size
Micro and small enterprises, as defined under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006), must comply from the dates in columns (6) and (7) of the Table, and all other enterprises from the date in column (5). The Order does not apply to goods or articles meant for export.
| Goods or Articles | Indian Standard | Title of Indian Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral mixtures for supplementing cattle feeds | IS 1664 | Mineral mixtures for supplementing cattle feeds – Specification |
| Dicalcium Phosphate, animal feed grade | IS 5470 | Dicalcium Phosphate, animal feed grade – Specification |
| Common salt and cattle licks for animal consumption | IS 920 | Specification for common salt and cattle licks for animal consumption |
| Enterprise Category | Date of Implementation | Table Column |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprises other than micro and small | 1 April 2027 | Column (5) |
| Small enterprises | 1 July 2027 | Column (7) |
| Micro enterprises | 1 October 2027 | Column (6) |
WHY THIS MATTERS
A Quality Control Order under the BIS Act, 2016 turns a voluntary Indian Standard into a legal requirement: the notified goods must meet the standard and carry the Standard Mark, backed by a BIS licence. For these three products, which are used in cattle feeding, that means a licence process, factory conformity to IS 1664, IS 5470 or IS 920, and marking, all ahead of the applicable date.
The Order creates practical considerations for businesses, particularly those facing:
- Manufacturers of mineral mixtures, dicalcium phosphate or cattle licks and salt who do not yet hold a BIS licence for these products
- A compliance date that depends on enterprise size, so the MSME status of the business under the 2006 Act determines the deadline
- Goods meant for export, which fall outside the Order, alongside domestic supply that must carry the Standard Mark
- Importers and sellers of these products, since the Order text does not itself list them and their obligations should be confirmed under the BIS Act, 2016
- Ongoing change in the standards, since the latest version, with amendments, applies
KEY INSIGHT
The Order is already in force, but no one has to comply until the dates in the Table, and those dates depend on enterprise size: 1 April 2027 for enterprises other than micro and small, 1 July 2027 for small enterprises and 1 October 2027 for micro enterprises. Businesses should first confirm their MSME category under the 2006 Act, then work back from their date, since BIS licensing and product testing take time. Goods meant for export are exempt from the Order.
BUSINESS IMPACT
Manufacturers of the three products must conform to the relevant Indian Standard and hold a BIS licence before their applicable date.
The applicable date is 1 April 2027, 1 July 2027 or 1 October 2027, depending on enterprise size.
Goods meant for export are outside the Order; goods for the domestic market must bear the Standard Mark.
Contravention is punishable under the BIS Act, 2016, with BIS acting as certifying and enforcing authority.
Businesses should track the latest versions of IS 1664, IS 5470 and IS 920, as amendments apply.
CONCLUSION
This Order brings mineral mixtures for cattle feed, animal-feed-grade dicalcium phosphate, and common salt and cattle licks under compulsory BIS certification, with compliance phased from 1 April 2027 by enterprise size. Manufacturers of these products should confirm their enterprise category, begin BIS licence applications and standard conformity work now, and keep track of amendments to the three Indian Standards.
HOW OMEGA QMS CAN HELP
At Omega QMS, we help businesses navigate India’s evolving regulatory framework, including BIS certification, customs regulations, import-export procedures, and QCO compliance.
Making Animal Feed Products Covered by the New QCO?
If your business requires assistance with BIS licensing or conformity to IS 1664, IS 5470 or IS 920 under the Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients (Quality Control) Order, 2026, our experts can help ensure timely and seamless compliance.
SOURCES
Primary Source
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying), Government of India — S.O. 5576(E), F. No. R-99014/17/2023-DADF-Dept, E-24990, “Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients (Quality Control) Order, 2026,” dated 7 October 2026, signed by Dr. Muthukumarasamy B, Joint Secretary. Published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), No. 5364, dated 12 October 2026 (CG-DL-E-12102026-277078).
