Introduction
If you're a foreign manufacturer planning to export products to India, understanding the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification requirements is essential. Among the various BIS schemes, the ISI Mark Certification under Scheme-I is one of the most critical—and often mandatory—for hundreds of industrial and consumer goods.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about BIS ISI Mark Certification, including its scope, application process, timelines, labeling rules, and post-certification obligations—so your products can legally enter and thrive in the Indian market.
What is Scheme-I (ISI Scheme)?
Scheme-I, also known as the ISI Mark Scheme or BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme, covers a mandatory list of over 600 products that require BIS certification. When the Quality Control Order (QCO) is issued by the relevant ministry for a product, it means that the product must obtain a mandatory BIS certificate to be sold in the Indian market, following the implementation date specified in the QCO.
India BIS Schemes | Scheme-I |
Regulation Basis | BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018-Product Certification Scheme, ISI Scheme, BIS FMCS Scheme |
Product Scope | Cover a broader range of Product categories, e.g., Textiles, Household Electrical Goods, Furniture, Tyers, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Steel, Aluminum, etc. |
Enforcement through | Quality Control Orders, notified by the line ministries |
Mode of Application | Original Hard copy of documents (Signed & Stamped) will be submitted to the BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification Department (FMCD) |
Labelling and marking | ISI standard mark with IS number and License Number (CM/L XXXX) |
Provision of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) | For foreign manufacturers, an AIR appointment is necessary for the submission of the application. |
Audit | BIS Audit is required in manufacturing premises |
General Timeline | 4-5 months |
Validity of License | Initially 1 year |
Renewal of License | Every year renewal |
Provision for Initially Testing from the BIS Lab | An in-house test report as per the Indian Standard will be accepted at the initial stage of the application |
Minimum Marking Concept | Minimum Marking Fee needs to be paid in advance |
Provision of Submission of Performance Bank Guarantee of Ten thousand USD | Yes (Applicable to Foreign Manufacturer) |
Surveillance | Periodic/follow-up inspections, Market samples, factory samples as per license terms & Conditions |
Note: The ISI Mark is not just a logo—it’s a legal requirement. Selling non-certified products covered under QCOs can result in customs rejection, fines, or even blacklisting.
Why Is ISI Mark Certification Important?
Obtaining ISI Mark certification delivers both regulatory compliance and commercial advantages for manufacturers entering or expanding in the Indian market:
Legal access to the Indian market for products listed under mandatory BIS certification requirements.
Enhanced consumer trust, as the ISI mark signifies compliance with recognized safety and quality standards.
Stronger brand image, reinforced through independent third-party validation by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Alignment with international standards, as BIS specifications are broadly harmonized with ISO standards and global best practices.
Smooth customs clearance, as products subject to QCOs but lacking BIS certification may face detention, rejection, or clearance delays at Indian ports.
How to Get the BIS ISI Mark: India BIS Scheme-I Certification Process
Stage 1: Preparation & Formal Submission
The BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) Application procedure is complex and time-consuming. The most critical thing is that the entire process is conducted in offline mode. The Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) appointed by the foreign manufacturer will personally submit the original hard copies of the application and supporting documents to the BIS Department.
The process begins with the pre‑application phase, during which all required data and documents are collected from the foreign manufacturer in accordance with the BIS Act and Regulations.
Two complete sets of hard‑copy documents are then duly signed and stamped by the manufacturer and dispatched to India, where they are received by the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
The AIR will submit both hard copy sets to the BIS department. At this stage, the BIS FMCD department issues an Application Acknowledgement Number, sent via email directly to the foreign manufacturer with the AIR in cc. This number allows the applicant to track the application status throughout the process.
Stage 2: Scrutinization & Pre-inspection
Next is the scrutinization phase, during which BIS examines the submitted documents. If any gaps or discrepancies are found, BIS raises queries, which the applicant must address within the prescribed timelines. Once all documents meet the requirements of the BIS Act and Regulations, BIS issues a pre-inspection letter, detailing all audit charges, airfare, hotel expenses, and the payment timeline.
Upon advance payment, BIS issues the final inspection letter, which specifies the name of the BIS officer assigned to audit the manufacturing premises.
Stage 3: Inspector Allotment & On-site Audit
The next step involves issuing the invitation letter for the BIS officer. This letter will be issued by the foreign applicant and will be used by the BIS officer to apply for a visa. Once in India, the BIS officer will conduct an on-site audit, performing all necessary product tests over a two-day period. Simultaneously, the officer will collect samples to be sent to a BIS-recognized laboratory in India.
Stage 4: Reporting & Final Grant of License
The BIS-recognized laboratory will prepare a test report and share it with BIS. If the report meets the required Indian Standard criteria, BIS will grant the license.
Following the license issuance, the applicant must submit a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of USD 10,000 along with the Agreement and Indemnity Bond.
Another important step is opening an account on the Manak-Online Portal. This portal is used to record details of every consignment exported to India, including product quantities and other relevant information.
The license is initially granted for one year and can be renewed annually, up to a maximum of five years. After this period, a fresh application or a formal renewal request must be submitted to BIS. The final decision on renewal rests solely with the BIS department.
Documents Required for Obtaining the India BIS ISI Mark under the Scheme-I
S. No. | Document Checklist |
1. | Name and Address proof of office (Certificate from Registrar of firm or certificate from Directorate of Industries or certificate from Industries Centre or Memorandum of Articles) |
2. | Name and address proof of Factory (Certificate from Registrar of firm or certificate from Directorate of Industries or certificate from Industries Centre or Memorandum of Articles) |
3. | Authorized representative letter, in case the application is signed by someone other than the CEO of the firm. |
4. | Manufacturing Process flow chart |
5. | Manufacturing Machinery List (Form-I) |
6. | Certificate of Analysis (CoA) or Letter of Undertaking for Raw material quality |
7. | Technical Data Sheet |
8. | After the manufacturing method of the Disposal of Substandard Products. |
9. | Itinerary Travel (Nearby Airports) |
10. | Calibration Report (In-house testing Equipment) |
11. | Safety Data Sheet |
12. | Test Report (Form-IV) |
13. | Main Application Form-V |
14. | Quality control personnel (Declaration Pertaining to Quality Control In-charge of the In-house laboratory) (sign & seal of the company) |
15. | Plant Layout |
16. | Organizational Chart |
17. | Declaration regarding test equipment (Form-II) |
18. | Form for nomination by manufacturer |
19. | Form for Proposed Level of Controls (Form-III) |
20. | Appointment Letter of AIR |
21. | Memorandum of proof of Business office Address (Shall be Notarized) |
22. | Aadhar Card of AIR |
23. | Undertaking for Role & Responsibility of AIR |
24. | Lab details/Subcontracting if any/Sharing Facility etc. |
25. | Application fee of Rs. 1000/- (in equivalent US$) be deposited with BIS through RTGS/NEFT/SWIFT transfer. The Bank account details are available. |
Note: All documents should be on the company Letterhead. (Template for Form-I, Form-II, Form-III, Form-IV, Form-V, Form-VI, and Form-VII should be in accordance with the BIS website. | |
Labelling and Marking Under the India BIS Scheme-I
In accordance with Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, any product falling under the BIS Mandatory Certification Scheme must bear the Standard Mark. It is strictly prohibited for any person to manufacture, import, store, sell, or distribute goods that do not comply with these certification and marking requirements.
The product labeling generally features the ISI logo, accompanied by the specific License Number and the relevant Indian Standard (IS) number. Furthermore, the product packaging must display the following general information:
Name of the Material
Designation/Grade of Product
Batch No.
Lot No.
Registration Number
Name of the Manufacturer
Manufacturing Date
Apart from that, some additional detail needs to be mentioned as per the specific Indian standard applicable to the product.
Post-License Obligations under the India BIS Scheme-I
While many industries believe that obtaining a BIS license marks the end of the regulatory process, the BIS Act and Regulations mandate ongoing compliance through several Post-License Obligations.
1. Legal Documentation & Financial Guarantee Licensees are required to submit the executed Agreement, Indemnity Bond, and a $10,000 Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) in a timely manner.
2. Consignment Reporting via Manak Online Under Regulation 6(11) of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, licensees must provide transparent tracking for all goods bearing the Standard Mark (ISI Mark). It is mandatory to log every ISI-marked consignment exported to India into the Manak Online portal, specifying port of entry and consignee details.
How Manufacturers Can Maintain Compliance under the India BIS Certification Scheme?
Identify the scope of your products
Maintain the records of each document that was submitted at the initial stage of the application
Follow the testing protocols as per the Indian standard & Product Manual
Keep all the testing equipment fully calibrated
Keep a close watch on the latest amendments of Indian Standards/Product Manual
Timely application for renewal
Maintain the production statement records & should be verified by Chartered Accountant
Maintain the records of exports of every consignment on the Manakonline Portal
India BIS Certification Services of REACH24H
Provide clarification to Industries, whether the product needs a BIS Certificate or not
Assisting in the preparation of the Technical Dossier for the application under a different scheme of BIS
Helping industries to appoint the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to file the application in BIS
Real-time tracking of the Application
Solution for complex discrepancies raised by the BIS FMCD department during the application submission
Simplify the Indian Standard, Technical Guidelines, Application process, and other major clarifications required during the application stage.
Resolve Performance Bank Guarantee-related issues in India
Providing support to companies for timely renewal
Assistance in Factory Audit
Support for Marking & Labelling
Support in Post License Obligations (e.g., Report Export Consignment on Manakonline Portal on a regular basis)
Guiding companies to avoid the non-compliances under the BIS Act & Regulations
Support in deferred licenses, renewal beyond the expiry, inclusion of new varieties, change in Authorized Indian Representative, Technical clarification in implementation of amended standard in manufacturing premises, providing clarity in the application process of change of name of Manufacturing Unit/change in name of legal person, change of authorized person, etc.
Support in Custom Clearances/NoC/ Clarity from the authority, where the products' HS Codes or description are complex, to check the BIS Certification Scope
For more information and inquiries regarding BIS certification, please feel free to contact us at customer@reach24h.com.
