BIS Registration in India

Introduction to BIS Registration in India

If you are planning to sell products in India whether you manufacture them here or bring them in from outside there is one compliance term you simply cannot ignore anymore: BIS registration. In earlier years, businesses could operate without it. That is no longer the case. In 2026, enforcement is stronger, product coverage is wider, and excuses are no longer entertained.

What most people get wrong is thinking BIS registration is just another certificate. It is not. It decides whether your product can legally exist in the Indian market. Customs, marketplaces, distributors, and even consumers now check BIS compliance before engaging with a product. If you miss it, your shipment can stop at the port, your stock can be seized, or your business can face penalties that wipe out months of effort.

This guide explains BIS registration to you as it works in real life, not as a textbook concept.

What BIS Really Is

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standards authority functioning under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. It operates under the BIS Act 2016 which gave it significantly more power than earlier laws

But for you, BIS is not a government body on paper. It is the authority that decides:

• Whether your product meets Indian safety and quality norms
• Whether your product can be sold, imported, or advertised
• Whether your brand is seen as compliant or risky

BIS does this by creating Indian Standards (IS) and enforcing them through certification and registration schemes. If your product falls under a mandatory standard and you skip certification, the law treats it as illegal goods, regardless of how good the product itself may be.

BIS Registration vs BIS Certification – Why People Get Confused

You will hear both terms used interchangeably and that adds to the confusion

Here is the simple way to look at it:

• BIS Registration usually applies to products under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) mainly electronics and IT equipment
• BIS Certification (often referred to as an ISI licence) applies to products covered under traditional BIS schemes, including industrial goods, consumer items and safety-critical products

The terminology changes depending on the scheme but the outcome is the same. You receive permission from BIS to use a standard mark on your product proving it complies with Indian standards

From a legal standpoint both are mandatory wherever notified by the government

Mandatory vs Voluntary: Where Businesses Often Misjudge

Not all products require BIS certification. But many doand the list keeps growing.

BIS operates in two modes:

Voluntary Certification

Some products are not legally required to carry a BIS mark. Businesses opt for certification to build trust, improve market acceptance or strengthen export credibility

Mandatory Certification

For certain products the government issues Quality Control Orders (QCOs). These make BIS certification compulsory. Once a QCO is notified selling that product without BIS approval becomes illegal

In recent years QCOs have expanded rapidly. Products like toys, footwear, furniture, electrical appliances, steel items and construction materials are now tightly regulated. Categories that were once ignored are now actively monitored

If your product is covered under a QCO, there is no workaround.

Products That Commonly Require BIS Registration in 2026.

While the official list is updated regularly some product groups consistently fall under mandatory BIS requirements:

• Electrical and electronic goods (LED lights, power adapters, chargers)
• Household appliances and safety equipment
• Cement, steel and construction materials
• Children’s toys and related products
• Automotive parts and industrial components
• Packaged drinking water and water treatment products
• Gas appliances, pressure cookers and kitchen equipment

If you are unsure whether your product is covered, assuming it is “probably not mandatory” is the fastest way to get into trouble.

Who Needs BIS Registration (And Who Cannot Apply)

You must apply for BIS registration if:

• You are a manufacturer in India producing goods covered under BIS standards
• You are an importer bringing regulated products into India
• You are a foreign manufacturer selling goods in India through an Indian entity

One important point many people miss:
Traders, distributors, and retailers cannot apply for BIS certification.
Only the manufacturer (or foreign manufacturer through an Authorized Indian Representative) is eligible.

If you import goods, the responsibility still lies with the manufacturer. Customs does not care who made the mistake. The shipment gets stopped either way.

Understanding the Main BIS Schemes

BIS does not operate under a single registration format. The scheme depends on your product type.

ISI Mark Scheme (Scheme I)

This is the most recognised BIS mark. It applies to a wide range of industrial and consumer products. A BIS licence is issued after product testing, factory evaluation and compliance verification

Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

This scheme applies mostly to electronics and IT products. Under CRS, products must be tested in BIS-recognised labs and registered before sale or import.

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)

If you manufacture outside India and want to sell in India, this scheme applies to you. You must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) and undergo factory inspection and product testing.

Eco-Mark Scheme

For environmentally friendly products that meet additional criteria BIS offers the Eco-Mark along with standard certification

Each scheme has its own documentation, timelines, and compliance checks

How BIS Registration Actually Works (Step by Step)

The process is not difficult but it is detail-sensitive

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Standard

You first determine whether your product falls under an Indian Standard and whether certification is mandatory

Step 2: Product Testing

Your product must be tested in a BIS-recognised laboratory. Test reports from unapproved labs are rejected outright

Step 3: Documentation Preparation

This includes manufacturing details, business registrations, technical specifications, test reports and process flow documents. Foreign manufacturers must also submit AIR details

Step 4: Application Filing

Applications are submitted online through the BIS portal under the relevant scheme

Step 5: Evaluation and Inspection

Depending on the product and scheme BIS may do a factory inspection or an assessment based on documents

Step 6: Grant of Registration or Licence.

Once approved you receive the BIS certificate and permission to use the relevant standard mark

Step 7: Surveillance and Renewal

Certification is not permanent. BIS conducts periodic checks, sample testing and renewals to ensure ongoing compliance

Skipping surveillance or renewal can lead to suspension

What Happens If You Ignore BIS Requirements?

BIS regularly raids businesses, takes their goods and takes legal action against sellers and manufacturers who don't follow the rules. Products that don't have valid certification are taken off the market and the fines can be very high

Import consignments without BIS compliance are routinely held at ports. In many cases businesses are forced to re-export or destroy goods resulting in massive financial loss

Once a violation is recorded it also affects your future applications

Why BIS Compliance Matters Beyond Legal Safety

BIS registration is not only about avoiding penalties.

It:

• Builds buyer confidence
• Improves acceptance on e-commerce platforms
• Reduces rejection from distributors
• Enhances brand credibility
• Protects you from liability claims

In regulated industries, BIS compliance is no longer a “nice to have.” It is a basic requirement.

Conclusion

For serious businesses in India, BIS registration is not optional in 2026. As Quality Control Orders grow, enforcement gets stricter and consumers become more aware, compliance is no longer an afterthought it's a core business requirement

If you want to avoid delays, rejections and expensive mistakes, and you prefer clear information over confusion working with professionals who know BIS procedures can make a big difference.

Agile Regulatory helps you find the right standards, handle testing, write documentation, work with BIS and make sure that certification goes smoothly without any delays

Getting BIS right the first time saves you time, money and stress