Furniture QCO 2025: The Complete BIS Certification Guide for Manufacturers and Importers
The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 is no longer an approaching deadline — it is in force. As of 13 February 2026, every work chair, general purpose chair, table, stools, bed, storage unit, and bunk bed sold or imported in India must carry the ISI mark under a valid BIS licence. Here is what you need to know, and what you need to do.
Enforcement Active
The Furniture QCO 2025 came into force on 13 February 2026. Manufacturing, importing, or selling any of the six covered furniture categories without a BIS licence is now an offence under the BIS Act, 2016.
Micro and small enterprises have an 18-month grace period ending 13 August 2026.
What is the Furniture QCO 2025?
The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 was issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) on 13 February 2025 under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. It mandates that specified furniture products bear the Standard Mark — the ISI mark — before they can be manufactured, sold, traded, imported, stocked, or exhibited for sale in India.
This is not a voluntary certification. The order is legally binding and applies equally to domestic factories and overseas manufacturers exporting to the Indian market.
Order at a Glance
| Order Name | Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 |
| Issued By | Ministry of Commerce & Industry, DPIIT |
| Date of Issue | 13 February 2025 – Gazette Notification O. 801(E) |
| Enforcement Date | 13 February 2026 (currently active) |
| Certification Scheme | BIS Scheme I – ISI Mark Certification |
| Governing Law | BIS Act, 2016 + BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 |
| MSE Grace Period | 18 months from issue – expires 13 August 2026 |
| Products Covered | Six categories under IS 17631–17636:2022 |
India has now notified approximately 190 Quality Control Orders covering over 800 product categories across multiple ministries. The furniture sector has been a late addition — but the enforcement posture is consistent with QCOs in electronics, steel, and chemicals where customs holds and market seizures have followed quickly after deadlines passed.
The Six Covered Products — and What Each Standard Actually Tests
Most guides stop at listing the IS numbers. What manufacturers and importers actually need to understand is what BIS tests your product against — because test failures during the certification process are the most common cause of delay.
IS Standard | Product Category | Key Test Parameters |
IS 17631 | Work ChairsOffice & task seating for workstation use | Static seat and back load; leg forward and sideways load; seat drop fatigue; arm-rest strength; castors and swivel stability; dimensions |
IS 17632 | General Purpose Chairs & StoolsDomestic, hospitality, and public seating | Front leg load; seat static and fatigue; back rest impact; stability on level and inclined floor; surface quality inspection |
IS 17633 | Tables & DesksDining, study, office, side tables, and desks | Top surface concentrated load; horizontal racking; leg and underframe vertical load; drawer mechanism cycling (if present); surface flatness |
IS 17634 | Storage UnitsWardrobes, cabinets, shelving, TV units | Shelf load capacity and deflection; door and drawer cycling; anti-tip free-standing stability; hinge and fitting performance; structural integrity |
IS 17635 | BedsSingle and double beds; includes bed bases | Frame static and dynamic load; slat strength and deflection; side rail impact; edge and impact fatigue; dimensional tolerances |
IS 17636 | Bunk BedsMulti-level beds including children’s bunk beds | All IS 17635 parameters plus: upper bunk load; guard rail strength and fall prevention; ladder load and fatigue; entrapment hazard assessment |
Testing must be conducted at a BIS-recognised laboratory. Products must pass all applicable parameters before a factory inspection is scheduled. A pre-testing gap analysis — evaluating your product against these parameters before lab submission — significantly reduces the risk of a failed test report and the delays that follow.
Two Audiences, Two Compliance Paths
What is the Furniture QCO 2025?
The QCO applies to both domestic manufacturers and overseas importers — but the certification path is different. Confusing the two is a common error that leads to wasted time and misfiled applications.
Domestic Manufacturers : BIS Scheme I (ISI Mark) |
Who: Indian factories manufacturing covered furniture for the domestic market |
Scheme: Scheme I of Schedule II — BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018 |
Licence: Granted to the manufacturing unit by BIS India |
Inspection: BIS officer visits your factory to verify manufacturing processes and quality systems |
Portal: Apply on Manakonline |
Timeline: 60–120 days from application to licence grant |
Importers & Foreign Manufacturers : BIS FMCS (Scheme I) |
Who: Foreign factories exporting covered furniture to India |
Scheme: Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS / Scheme I of Schedule II) |
Scheme: Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) |
Licence: Granted to the foreign manufacturer; requires an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) |
Inspection: BIS deputes an officer to the overseas factory |
Portal: Apply on Manakonline via Indian representative |
Indian importers who source from foreign factories — China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Italy, or elsewhere — must ensure their supplier holds the FMCS licence, not the importer. Many importers discover this distinction too late. If your foreign supplier is not yet certified, your procurement pipeline is at risk right now.
The FMCS licence is issued to the factory, not to the importer. If your Chinese supplier is not certified, no volume of your own compliance work will allow that shipment to clear Indian customs.
Exemptions — Who Qualifies and What the Conditions Are
The QCO provides three specific exemptions. Incorrectly claiming exemption status carries the same legal risk as non-compliance — a common trap for Udyam-registered businesses that have outgrown their exemption thresholds.
1. Export-Only Manufacturers
Furniture manufactured exclusively for export is exempt. The product must not enter domestic trade channels at any point. Export documentation must support the claim.
(Permanent)
2. Small Enterprises (MSME)
Small Enterprises as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006, with valid Udyam registration, are exempt for 18 months from 13 February 2025. This grace period expires 13 August 2026.
(Until 13 Aug 2026)
3. Micro Enterprise Udyam Units (Exemption from QCO)
Provided that nothing in this order shall apply to goods or articles manufactured by an enterprise, registered under Udyam Portal of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, wherein the investment in plant and machinery or equipment at original cost does not exceed rupees one crore and the turnover do not exceed rupees five crore for the previous financial year as certified by a Chartered Accountant.
4. R&D Import Relaxation
Provided also that nothing in this order shall apply to import upto two hundred numbers of goods or articles specified in column(1) of the table for the purpose of research and development per financial year by the manufacturer of furniture certified by the Bureau or the manufacturer who has applied to the Bureau for certification of such goods and articles with the condition that such imported goods and articles shall not be sold commercially and shall be disposed of as a scrap and the manufacturers shall maintain a record of such goods or articles year-wise and furnish the same to the Central Government.
5. Sale of Legacy Stock
Provided also that nothing in this order shall apply to goods or articles specified in column (1) of the table domestically manufactured or imported before the date of implementation of this order by the manufacturer certified by the Bureau or the manufacturer who has applied to the Bureau for certification of the relevant goods and articles and such manufacturer shall be permitted to sell or display or offer to sell such declared stock up to twelve months from the date of implementation, subject to the condition that such manufacturer shall furnishes a self declaration to this effect to the Bureau.
6. Import of Components of Furniture
Provided also that nothing in this order shall apply to non-BIS marked goods or articles or its components/subassemblies imported by the manufacturer of furniture in India for export of furniture subject to the condition that the manufacturer furnishes a self-declaration in its letter-head signed by its authorised signatory, to the Central Government mentioning the invoice number and other relevant details of the import consignment and an undertaking that the goods or articles so imported shall not be put to any other use or sold in the domestic market and the manufacturer shall maintain the record of such goods and articles imported and its product for verification or audit by the Government authorities concerned.
The August 2026 deadline is approaching faster than it appears. SMEs that start the BIS certification process after April 2026 risk running out of time before their exemption expires. The safer approach is to begin the process now, so the licence is in place before August 2026, not after.
5 Reasons BIS Furniture Applications Get Delayed — and How to Avoid Them
These are not hypothetical scenarios. They are the most common reasons applications stall, based on the certification process across multiple QCO categories. Furniture is no different.
1. Products submitted for testing before a gap analysis
Sending samples to a BIS-recognised lab without first checking them against the applicable Indian standard IS 17631–17636 parameters is the single most expensive mistake. Failed tests mean re-testing fees, revised designs, and weeks of delay.
2. Quality control records not in order before factory audit
The BIS factory audit verifies your manufacturing processes, quality systems, and production records. Inspectors look for documented incoming material checks, production logs, and finished product inspection records. Gaps here can delay or fail an audit even when the product itself is compliant.
3. Applying under the wrong IS standard
A steel-framed lounge chair is not a “work chair” under IS 17631. Misclassification leads to the wrong tests, wrong lab protocols, and a rejected application. Product classification must be confirmed before filing.
4. Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
Technical specs that don’t match product drawings, unsigned authorisation letters, or missing factory licences are among the most common reasons BIS returns applications. Document cross-checking before submission is essential.
5. Foreign manufacturers applying without an Indian AIR
FMCS applications require an Authorised Indian Representative before a file number is even issued. Foreign manufacturers that begin the process without an appointed AIR lose four to six weeks before the application can proceed.
The August 2026 deadline is approaching faster than it appears. SMEs that start the BIS certification process after April 2026 risk running out of time before their exemption expires. The safer approach is to begin the process now, so the licence is in place before August 2026, not after.
What Happens After You Get the Licence
Most guides end at licence grant. But a BIS certification is not a one-time event — it is an ongoing compliance obligation. Understanding this upfront prevents surprises.
1. Affix the ISI Mark on Every Unit
The Standard Mark must appear on the product itself (or its label/packaging as specified in the IS standard). Unmarked units cannot be sold, even if your factory holds a valid licence.
2. Pay the Annual Marking Fee
A minimum annual marking fee applies to your licence. This is calculated based on your declared production volume. Non-payment results in licence suspension.
3. Maintain Quality Records & Production Documentation
BIS surveillance officers can visit your factory without prior notice. Incoming material inspection records, production logs, and finished product inspection records must always be current and accessible to demonstrate ongoing compliance with the IS standard.
4. Renew the Licence Annually
BIS licences are typically valid for one year. Renewal applications must be filed before expiry. Lapsed licences mean non-compliant production and potential enforcement action, even for previously certified manufacturers.
5. Report Product Variants and Model Changes
Adding a new model or substantially modifying a covered product requires notification to BIS. New variants may require additional testing. Selling unlicensed variants under an existing licence number is a compliance violation.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
Enforcement under QCOs in India has moved beyond warnings. In the electronics and steel sectors, post-deadline enforcement has included customs holds, seizures from warehouses and retail floors, and de-listing of non-compliant sellers from e-commerce platforms. Furniture will follow the same pattern.
Under the BIS Act, 2016, the penalties for QCO violations include:
- Monetary fines — up to ₹2 lakh for a first offence; higher for repeat violations
- Imprisonment — up to two years under certain provisions of the Act
- Product seizure — BIS officers are empowered to search premises and confiscate non-compliant goods
- Import detention — customs authorities will not release furniture under QCO scope without a valid BIS licence
- E-commerce delisting — Amazon India, Flipkart, and institutional procurement portals are increasingly requiring ISI-marked products for QCO categories
The risk is not abstract. It is commercial, operational, and legal — and it compounds for every day of continued non-compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the QCO apply to furniture sold online, not just in physical stores?
Yes. The QCO applies to furniture sold through any channel — physical retail, online marketplaces, institutional supply, project sales, or direct B2B. Major platforms including Amazon India and Flipkart require ISI-marked listings for in-scope categories. Non-compliant listings are subject to delisting, and sellers remain liable under the BIS Act regardless of platform policy.
If I manufacture work chairs and storage units, do I need two separate BIS licences?
Yes. Each product category corresponds to a separate Indian Standard and requires a separate BIS licence. If you manufacture products under IS 17631 and IS 17634, you need two licences — each with its own lab testing and BIS review. Both applications can be filed and processed simultaneously to save time, which is the recommended approach.
My Udyam certificate is registered. Am I automatically exempt until August 2026?
Not necessarily. The 18-month MSE exemption applies to micro and small enterprises as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006. If your enterprise has grown beyond the small enterprise thresholds since your Udyam registration, your exemption eligibility may not hold. The very small unit exemption applies to Udyam-registered enterprises with plant & machinery investment not exceeding ₹1 crore and annual turnover not exceeding ₹5 crore (previous financial year, certified by a chartered accountant) as per the revised notifications S.O. 777(E) and S.O. 774(E). We recommend a formal exemption eligibility check rather than assuming protection.
We import furniture from overseas suppliers. Who needs to apply for the FMCS licence — us or the factory?
The FMCS licence is issued to the foreign manufacturing facility, not to the Indian importer. Your overseas supplier must apply for and hold the BIS FMCS licence. As an Indian importer, you need to ensure your supplier has this licence in place before goods are shipped. Your role includes arranging an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) — which Global Omega can provide — and supporting the documentation process at the Indian end.
We import furniture from overseas suppliers. Who needs to apply for the FMCS licence — us or the factory?
60–90 days is achievable for domestic manufacturers with well-prepared documentation, a product that passes lab testing on first submission, and a factory that is ready for inspection. The timeline extends to 120 days or more when lab tests fail on first attempt, documents need revision after submission, or BIS officer scheduling causes delays. Proper pre-testing gap analysis and audit readiness preparation are the two most effective ways to stay on the shorter end of the range.
Our furniture is custom-made for specific clients. Does the QCO apply?
If the custom-made furniture falls within one of the six product categories and is sold commercially in the Indian market, the QCO applies regardless of whether it is bespoke or standard. “Custom” refers to design specifications, not a compliance exemption. The determining factor is whether the product falls within the functional scope of IS 17631–17636. If you manufacture custom office chairs or custom wardrobes commercially, BIS certification is required.