Getting your products certified as efficiently as possible
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standards body, and foreign companies must obtain BIS certification to legally sell many products in India. This includes schemes like product certification, hallmarking, and foreign manufacturer certification to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
With 25+ years of experience in India, Maier Vidorno Altios supports global businesses with end-to-end BIS and NOC services. Operating from 40 offices across 24 countries, we bring expertise in 25+ industries and deep knowledge of India’s complex, evolving market.
Ensure a smooth and compliant entry into India’s regulated market with a clear understanding of BIS certification and NOC requirements. This guide is tailored for global CXOs and decision-makers, outlining critical compliance steps for foreign manufacturers and exporters. Read on for answers to key questions you may have.
The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India. It makes Indian Standards (IS) for all aspects of India’s economy and assesses standardization and conformity through certification & testing.
The Government of India uses standards formulated by BIS for regulating trade and commerce. Compliance is obligatory.
You comply by having a valid BIS registrations licence.
∕ Availability of safe goods of reliable quality
∕ Minimizing health hazards to consumers
∕ Safety of human, plant and animal life
∕ Safety of the environment
∕ Prevention of deceptive trade practices
∕ Promoting quality culture through the adoption of good manufacturing practices
∕ Training the industry in various aspects of standardization and testing
∕ Promoting exports and encouraging import substitution
∕ Control over the proliferation of varieties
∕ Minimizing wastage
∕ Firstly, the Product Certification Scheme
∕ Secondly, the Compulsory Registration Scheme
∕ Thirdly, Foreign Manufacturers’ Certification Scheme
∕ And most importantly, Hall Marking of Precious Metals (Gold and Silver) Scheme
This scheme covers virtually every industry from agriculture to textiles, to engineering item, to electronic goods.
The Product Certification Scheme of BIS provides:
∕ Third-party assurance of quality, safety and reliability of products to the customers
∕ ISI Mark on the product as an assurance of conformity to Indian Standards
The Product Certification Scheme of BIS is open to all domestic and foreign manufacturers, who wish to demonstrate the conformity of their goods to the relevant Indian Standards.
Some goods need “Mandatory Certification“, whether manufactured in India or imported and cannot be manufactured, stored, transported, or sold in India without a valid BIS licence.
The number of products under “Mandatory Certification” has been increased considerably and much more than 121. However, the page of BIS, which gives information is still under maintenance. As per the Quality Control Order issued by the Ministry of Steel in July 2020, the steel category has 113 products under mandatory certification. So overall products are more than 200 under mandatory certification. We can correct this information once.
The latest Quality Control Order for Steel is being attached.
One hundred twenty-one products need BIS “Mandatory Certification“.
Besides, forty-four electronic & IT products also need Mandatory Certification under the “Compulsory Registration Scheme.”
For Electronic and IT products the number of products under the “Compulsory Registration Scheme” is 61 as per the latest information.
Click here for a list of all of the products on the BIS website:
http://www.bis.org.in/cert/ProdUnManCert.asp.
A Foreign Manufacturer can get a license to use the Standard Mark on a product that conforms to an Indian Standard.
FMCS is applicable for all products except Electronics & IT Goods notified by the Government of India.
A BIS license is granted for the place of manufacture and testing.
You need to apply to BIS and pay the Application Fee.
Each product needs a separate application for each standard.
Two entities can obtain a license for you:
∕ Your Indian liaison or branch office – as long as it has all Reserve Bank of India permissions to apply. That company stands liable for the BIS license(s).
∕ You can nominate a legally appointed Agent located in India. That agent consents to be responsible for compliance with all terms & conditions of the BIS license.
What happens?
∕ Firstly, a proper scrutiny of the application is done.
∕ After that, if found complete in all respects, the recording is done.
∕ The next step involves carrying out a preliminary audit at the applicant’s manufacturing premises by the BIS Auditor. The costs of the inspection include the BIS officer’s working days, travel, stay and per diem.
∕ In-house manufacturing and testing facilities as per the Indian Standard(s)
∕ Competence of permanently employed testing personnel
∕ Conformity of the sample(s) to requirements of the Indian Standard.
The BIS Auditor will also take samples that you then need to deposit with the laboratory identified by BIS. You also pay for this testing.
The BIS registrations is granted if:
∕ Results of the preliminary inspection are satisfactory
∕ The independently tested sample(s) conform to the IS
∕ You (or your agent) sign the BIS Agreement terms and conditions. Including willingness to:
∕ Comply with the Scheme of Testing and Inspection (STI)
∕ Pay the annual minimum marking fee and the licence fee
∕ The Agreement also includes nomination, your rights and responsibilities, determination/termination, indemnity, performance bank guarantee, non-renewal, cancellation of license, etc.
You must pay the annual minimum marking fee and the licence fee as soon as the BIS licence is granted.
After that, you need to pay the marking fee quarterly/annually.
A BIS license is granted for one year but renewal options up to 5 years are available for most of the products.
You can renew your license for one or two years or 5 years.
Further, the renewal process is more straightforward than the initial BIS registrations. This is because there is no visit or audit required. Renewal application requires to submit a “Report of Performance” and “Production details vis-à-vis ISI marked products”.
You can renew your license for one or two years or 5 years.
Further, the renewal process is more straightforward than the initial BIS registrations. This is because there is no visit or audit required. Renewal application requires to submit a “Report of Performance” and “Production details vis-à-vis ISI marked products”.
There are cases where the code of a product indicates to customs that BIS registrations are required – but it is not. Moreover, customs authorities can confuse products “similar” to those covered under “mandatory certification“, leading to avoidable delays in consignment clearance and substantial penalties.
However, to avoid delays and penalties, you need a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from BIS that the material is not covered under “mandatory certification“.
BIS checks on a case by case basis using test reports, product specifications, declarations and other supporting documents. However, there is a nominal fee.
Besides, you also need to present Bill of lading and landing, invoice, packing lists, etc.
It takes about two months to get a NOC. A NOC is issued for each and every import of the same product and has to be presented with the freight documents. However, if there is no NOC – discussions with customs start…
Above all, the NOC process takes 6-8 weeks
Solution: Partner with an experienced general importer such as M+V Altios India to streamline your market entry. By consolidating imports, you not only reduce the number of individual shipments but also simplify compliance processes, lower logistics costs, and minimize regulatory risk. Establishing a local warehouse further enhances operational efficiency—enabling faster delivery, better inventory control, and improved customer responsiveness across India’s vast and diverse market. This strategic approach allows foreign businesses to scale confidently while ensuring full regulatory alignment.
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