Certification AI

Certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that a product meets Indian Standards (IS). Products the government lists under a QCO cannot be made, imported or sold in India without BIS certification and the Standard Mark.

A Quality Control Order: a gazette notification under section 16 of the BIS Act that makes BIS certification mandatory for certain products. As of January 2026, 711 QCOs were in force.

Match the product name, HS code and applicable IS standard against the QCO list. Start with the scope check tool on this site; if it's unclear, request a consultation and we'll confirm it. You can also check the "mandatory products" menu in the BIS Care app.

No. India requires BIS separately, and CRS testing must be done at a BIS-recognised lab in India. KC test reports can only serve as a reference for design review.

Most QCOs exempt export-only products — for example, both the 2026 appliances QCO and the toys QCO exclude exports. But check the wording of each QCO.

In principle, yes. But in some cases, such as polyester yarn, a court's interim order led ports to require BIS again. Check the latest port guidance before shipping.

CRS is a registration scheme for electronics and IT products: after testing at an Indian lab you get a registration number (R-number). ISI is a licensing scheme (Scheme I) with a factory inspection and sample testing; FMCS is the route for overseas factories to get ISI.

If an ISI product is made at a factory outside India, apply under FMCS. If it is a CRS product such as electronics or IT, even an overseas factory registers under CRS.

BIS certification is issued per manufacturer (factory). Overseas manufacturers appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR), often the importer.

Yes. IS 13252 and IS 616 are being replaced by IS/IEC 62368-1:2023. Most products can use either standard until 1 November 2028; after that only the new one is accepted.

The omnibus technical regulation for machinery (OTR 2024) was withdrawn in January 2026, so not at the moment. But check part-specific QCOs such as V-belts, hinges and valves.

Yes. Energy labels (BEE), wireless (WPC/ETA), telecom (TEC/MTCTE), waste (EPR), packaging and metrology (LMPC), cosmetics and medical devices (CDSCO), and food (FSSAI) can overlap.

BIS fees: application ₹1,000, processing ₹50,000 (including one test report), annual ₹1,000. Testing fees are paid to the lab separately and depend on the product and number of models.

BIS fees (application and annual, ₹1,000 each) are small, but you add the inspector's visit fee (₹7,000 per person per day), flights and hotel, testing, marking fees and a USD 10,000 performance bank guarantee.

It is not a cash payment but a performance bank guarantee (PBG) from an RBI-approved bank in India. It is kept in place while you comply with the licence, so it isn't a cost that's used up. Guarantee fees vary by bank.

A fee paid to BIS for using the Standard Mark. It varies by standard and product and follows BIS's schedule; under FMCS a minimum marking fee is paid in advance before approval.

Under CRS, series guidelines sometimes let you test only a representative model. Under ISI, each additional variety (group) adds a ₹5,000 processing fee.

Official BIS fees are entered as published; testing and travel costs are "example" ranges. We give an actual quote after receiving product specs and checking with the lab.

In Adullam's experience, ISI for an Indian factory takes 2–3 months and FMCS for an overseas factory about 6–9 months. BIS states FMCS takes about 6 months on average.

It depends on lab waiting time, testing and BIS review. As an example, allow 3–6 weeks for testing and 3–6 weeks for review — longer just before a QCO takes effect.

First check how shipments before the effective date are treated (stock declaration, transition rules), and start the application at the same time. The 2026 appliances QCO allows declared stock to be sold for six months after it takes effect.

Often. The footwear QCO was pushed to 31 July 2027 and the cement bag QCO to 6 October 2026. We keep posting postponements on the news page.

It depends on the QCO. The 2026 aluminium products QCO applies from 1 December 2026 for large and medium companies and 1 March 2027 for small ones.

Application form, business registration in English, trademark certificate, AIR appointment, factory location and layout, raw material and equipment lists, product specifications, quality manager details, and sample import and test request documents. The product group pages list them by scheme.

A person resident in India. If you have an Indian branch, its head or an officer is recommended; otherwise a legally appointed person can act, usually for one manufacturer only.

We'll review the AIR requirements and any conflict of interest and explain the options in a consultation. If you have an Indian company, appointing someone there as AIR is the most stable choice.

Notify BIS in advance. Under CRS there is a change fee (₹5,000 per change).

Documents for BIS are prepared in English. Use English versions or notarised translations of the business registration and trademark certificate.

The BIS application includes trademark (brand) confirmation. It's also worth checking Indian trademark registration to protect your brand.

CRS testing is done at a BIS-recognised lab in India. For ISI and FMCS, samples drawn by the inspector are tested at a BIS lab or recognised lab. BIS has 8 of its own labs (2022 data).

The inspector checks production and testing equipment and the quality system, and draws samples for testing. For overseas factories, the inspector's flights and visa are scheduled too.

It depends on the standard and product. In our experience about 3 sets are often drawn at the inspection, but the lab's requirements decide.

Fix the cause and test again. Retesting adds cost and time, so it's best to pre-check against the Indian standard from the start.

Yes. BIS can collect market samples for testing and the AIR must cooperate. Check-sample testing costs twice the normal fee.

The Standard Mark plus the CM/L number for ISI or the registration number (R-number) for CRS. Markings must be clear and indelible.

Enter the licence number, R-number or HUID in the BIS Care app to see the manufacturer, validity and model scope. You can also check on the web portal (Manak Online).

Under the 2026 amendment CRS is valid for 5 years; FMCS is renewed after the first 1–2 years and then every 5 years. Late renewal costs a ₹5,000 fee.

Most often because the brand or model name on the invoice, packing list or bill of entry differs from the registration. Unregistered models mixed into a shipment also cause holds.

BIS certification is per factory, so you must apply again for the new factory. Adding a brand only is possible through a separate procedure.

Adullam clients can use the "Track progress" page with their reference number to see the current step and required documents, and upload documents.