BIS Certification Process: A Practical Guide for Indian

If you make, import or sell products in India, sooner or later you will run into three letters: BIS. The Bureau of Indian Standards is the country’s national standards body, and for a growing list of products, you simply cannot sell in India without its approval. A lot of businesses first hear about this when a shipment gets stuck at customs, or a marketplace listing is taken down. It is much better to understand the process before that happens.

At UMSPCS, we speak with manufacturers every week who assume the BIS certification process is a mountain of paperwork they will never finish. It is not. It is a process with clear steps, and once you know them, it becomes manageable.

What Is BIS Certification and Why Does It Matter?

BIS certification confirms that a product meets the relevant Indian Standard (IS) for safety, quality and reliability. When a product carries the BIS mark, buyers can trust it has been tested against a recognised benchmark.

For many categories, such as electronics, electrical appliances, steel products, cement, helmets, toys and packaged drinking water, certification is mandatory under government quality control orders. Selling without it can lead to penalties, seizure of goods and, in serious cases, legal action. For other products, it is voluntary but still gives you a real edge over competitors.

The Main BIS Certification Schemes

Before applying, you need to know which scheme covers your product.

ISI Mark (Scheme-I): This is the most recognised one. It applies to products like electrical equipment, building materials, and consumer goods. It involves factory inspection and sample testing.

CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme): This covers electronics and IT products such as mobile phones, LED lights, adapters, power banks and smartwatches. Testing is done in a BIS-recognised lab, and there is generally no factory licence in the same sense as ISI.

FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme): If your factory is outside India, this is your route. You will also need an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) to handle communication with BIS.

Hallmarking: Used for gold and silver jewellery to certify purity.

Step-by-Step BIS Certification Process

1. Identify the Applicable Standard and Scheme

Start by finding out whether your product falls under mandatory certification and which Indian Standard applies. Getting this wrong at the start costs time and money, so do not guess. Check the product against BIS and government notifications, or ask an experienced consultant.

2. Prepare Your Documents

You will usually need company registration proof, manufacturing unit details, a factory layout, a list of testing equipment, an authorisation letter, and product technical details. Foreign manufacturers also need an AIR appointment, trademark details and similar paperwork.

3. Submit the Application Online

Applications are filed through the BIS online portal, with the prescribed fee. Make sure every detail matches your documents, because even small mismatches can trigger queries and delay things.

4. Product Testing

Samples are tested in a BIS-recognised laboratory against the relevant standard. For CRS products, you get the test done first and then submit the report with your application. For ISI, samples may be drawn during the factory visit.

5. Factory Inspection (Where Applicable)

For licence-based schemes, a BIS officer visits the manufacturing unit. They check your production process, quality control systems, in-house testing facilities and records. This is where preparation matters most. A clean, organised and well-documented factory does far better than one scrambling on inspection day.

6. Grant of Licence or Registration

Once testing and inspection are cleared and the fee is paid, BIS issues the licence or registration. You can then start marking your products with the BIS logo and licence number.

7. Ongoing Compliance

Certification is not a one-time thing. BIS carries out surveillance, which may include market sample checks and periodic inspections. Licences have a validity period and need timely renewal.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single answer. CRS registrations can sometimes be done in a few weeks, while ISI licences often take a couple of months or more, depending on your readiness, lab schedules and how quickly you respond to queries. Delays almost always trace back to incomplete documents or failed tests.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying under the wrong scheme or standard
Submitting inconsistent company or product details
Skipping a pre-test before official testing
Ignoring the factory’s quality control setup until the inspection date
Forgetting renewal deadlines

How UMSPCS Can Help

Handling BIS on your own is possible, but it can be slow, especially the first time. UMSPCS supports businesses through the whole journey, from checking product applicability and preparing documents to coordinating testing, handling queries and guiding you through renewals. Our goal is simple: spare you the back-and-forth so you can focus on running your business.