BIS Certification Overview

Komal3 September 2025

Introduction

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India, functioning under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India. Established in 1986, BIS replaced the erstwhile Indian Standards Institution (ISI) and took over its functions of formulating standards, certification, and quality control.

BIS is not only a regulatory body but also a facilitator for industrial growth, consumer protection, and international trade. Through its certification schemes, it provides assurance to customers that the products they buy comply with Indian standards of quality, safety, and reliability.

In today’s globalized marketplace, where counterfeit and substandard goods can easily infiltrate supply chains, BIS certification serves as a trust mark—a guarantee that the product has passed rigorous evaluation before reaching consumers.

What is BIS Certification?

BIS Certification is the official recognition granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards to manufacturers whose products conform to the prescribed Indian Standards (IS). Products with BIS certification bear a mark (such as the ISI Mark, Hallmark, or other conformity marks), signifying compliance with safety, performance, and reliability requirements.

It is mandatory for certain categories of products, especially those that can directly impact consumer safety, such as electrical appliances, cement, packaged water, and electronic devices. For other products, certification is voluntary but highly recommended to enhance market credibility.

Objectives of BIS Certification

The BIS certification system is guided by several objectives:

Consumer Safety & Confidence – To ensure that customers get products that are safe, reliable, and free from health hazards.
Quality Assurance – To maintain uniformity and consistency in product quality across industries.
Market Regulation – To prevent the sale of poor-quality, counterfeit, or hazardous goods.
Trade Facilitation – To enable smoother domestic and international trade by harmonizing Indian standards with global norms.
Industrial Development – To motivate manufacturers to adopt best practices, advanced technology, and sustainable production methods.
Environmental Protection – Through schemes like Eco Mark, BIS promotes environmentally friendly production and consumption.

Legal Framework

The operations of BIS are governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, which replaced the earlier BIS Act of 1986. The 2016 Act significantly expanded the scope of BIS by:

Making hallmarking of precious metals like gold and silver mandatory.
Allowing the government to make BIS certification compulsory for more products in the interest of public safety and health.
Granting powers to conduct inspections, seize goods, and penalize manufacturers who violate BIS norms.

Thus, BIS certification is not only a quality assurance mechanism but also a legal obligation for certain categories of goods.

Types of BIS Certification Schemes

BIS offers different schemes tailored to the nature of the product and its market requirements:

Scheme – I : ISI Mark Certification
- Applicable to products that need to conform to Indian Standards (IS).
- Mandatory for cement, steel, household electrical items, packaged drinking water, LPG cylinders, etc.
- Recognized by the ISI Mark on the product.
Scheme – II : Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)
- Introduced in 2012 for electronics and IT goods.
- Mandatory for items such as mobile phones, laptops, LED lights, smart watches, etc.
- Manufacturers must register with BIS and self-declare compliance after product testing in BIS-recognized labs.
Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)
- Enables overseas manufacturers to certify products as per Indian Standards.
- Essential for companies exporting regulated products to India.
Eco Mark Scheme
- For environmentally friendly products that meet specific ecological and quality standards.
- Covers goods such as detergents, paints, paper, and food items.
Hallmarking Scheme
- Ensures purity of gold, silver, and platinum jewelry.
- Mandatory for sale in India since 2021.
Management Systems Certification
- Covers systems like Quality Management (ISO 9001), Environmental Management (ISO 14001), Food Safety Management (ISO 22000), etc.

BIS Certification Process (Step-by-Step)

While the exact process differs based on product and scheme, the general procedure is:

Application Submission – The manufacturer submits an application with required documents and test reports.
Product Testing – The product is tested in a BIS-recognized laboratory to verify compliance.
Factory Inspection – BIS officials may inspect the manufacturing facility to check quality control systems, raw materials, and production processes.
Review & Grant of License – If all requirements are met, BIS grants certification and issues a license to use the BIS mark.
Surveillance & Renewal – BIS regularly monitors certified products through market samples, surprise inspections, and factory audits to ensure continuous compliance.

Products Under Mandatory BIS Certification

The Indian government has notified several products that cannot be sold in India without BIS certification. These include:

Electrical & Electronic Goods – Mobile phones, laptops, LED lighting, electric irons, switches, etc.
Steel & Cement – TMT bars, steel wires, cement (Portland, Pozzolana, etc.).
Food & Water – Packaged drinking water, baby food, milk powder.
Household Items – LPG cylinders, pressure cookers, helmets.
Jewelry – Gold and silver under hallmarking scheme.

The list of mandatory products is regularly updated, keeping in mind consumer safety, technological advancements, and trade practices.

Benefits of BIS Certification

For Consumers
- Assurance of quality, safety, and reliability.
- Protection from hazardous and counterfeit products.
- Builds trust in the purchase decision.
For Manufacturers
- Legal access to the Indian market.
- Enhanced brand credibility and competitiveness.
- Reduction in product failures, recalls, and liability issues.
- Access to global markets as BIS aligns with international standards.
For the Economy
- Strengthens consumer confidence in Indian products.
- Encourages industrial innovation and adoption of quality standards.
- Reduces imports of substandard goods, supporting domestic manufacturing.

BIS and Global Standards

BIS actively participates in international standardization bodies such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). By aligning Indian standards with global benchmarks, BIS ensures:

Easier acceptance of Indian products in foreign markets.
Reduced technical barriers to trade.
Improved competitiveness of Indian manufacturers on a global scale.

Challenges in BIS Certification

While BIS plays a crucial role, some challenges persist:

Lengthy procedures and paperwork for certification.
Limited testing laboratories, leading to delays.
Compliance costs for small-scale manufacturers.
Need for greater awareness among consumers and producers regarding BIS requirements.

The government is actively working to address these challenges by digitizing processes, increasing BIS recognition of testing labs, and simplifying procedures.

In short, The BIS Certification system is one of the strongest mechanisms to regulate product quality and safeguard consumers in India. With its legal backing, industry-wide coverage, and alignment with global standards, BIS certification is both a compliance necessity and a market advantage for manufacturers.

For consumers, it is a mark of assurance; for businesses, it is a gateway to credibility and growth; and for the nation, it is a tool to strengthen quality infrastructure and trust in “Made in India” products.