The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standardisation body, responsible for ensuring product safety, quality and compliance before entry into the Indian market. BIS certification is mandatory for various products listed under government-mandated Quality Control Orders (QCOs), and for foreign manufacturers exporting products into India.
At TPM, we provide end-to-end BIS certification services, helping manufacturers and exporters obtain compliance certification under ISI Mark Scheme, Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), Compulsory Registration and Scheme-X of BIS with minimal timelines and maximum regulatory accuracy, and also assist manufacturers with standard formulation activities.
Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme:
Under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), overseas manufacturing units are subject to factory audits and inspections conducted by BIS officials to verify compliance with applicable Indian Standards. Products manufactured at the overseas facility are assessed for conformity through testing and evaluation as per relevant Indian Standard specifications. Upon successful completion of the inspection and conformity assessment process, BIS grants a licence to the foreign manufacturer, authorizing the use of the ISI Mark on certified products. As part of the FMCS requirements, foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) who acts as the official liaison with BIS and ensures ongoing regulatory compliance in India. FMCS certification is mandatory for products covered under BIS compulsory certification when such products are imported into India.
Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) for Foreign Manufacturers:
The Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) acts as the official liaison between the Bureau of Indian Standards and the foreign manufacturer throughout the certification lifecycle. The AIR is responsible for coordinating communication with BIS authorities, facilitating factory inspections, audits, and surveillance activities, and managing regulatory correspondence related to compliance, renewals, and corrective actions. In the event of non-conformity, market complaints, or enforcement actions, the AIR represents the foreign manufacturer before BIS and other regulatory authorities. The AIR must be legally established in India and formally authorised to act on behalf of the foreign manufacturer for the entire duration of the BIS licence.
ISI Mark / BIS Standard Mark:
The ISI Mark is the most widely recognized quality assurance mark in India and is granted under the BIS Product Certification Scheme (Scheme-I). The certification is applicable to both domestic and foreign manufacturers and signifies that a product conforms to the relevant Indian Standard (IS) specified by BIS. For products notified under Quality Control Orders (QCOs), obtaining ISI Mark certification is mandatory before manufacturing, importing, distributing, or selling such products in the Indian market. A valid BIS licence authorizes the manufacturer to affix the ISI Mark on certified products, while products covered under QCOs cannot be legally imported, distributed, or sold in India without valid ISI certification.
Products without a valid ISI certification cannot be legally imported, distributed, or sold in India if covered under relevant QCO notifications.
Compulsory Registration Scheme
The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) is a regulatory framework introduced by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure that specific electronic and IT products meet prescribed safety and quality standards before being sold in India. Under this scheme, manufacturers—both domestic and foreign—must register their products with BIS after testing them in BIS-recognized laboratories. Only products that conform to the applicable Indian Standards are granted registration and permitted to carry the BIS Standard Mark. CRS covers a wide range of products such as mobile phones, laptops, LED lights, and power adapters, and requires each product model to be tested and registered separately.
The scheme operates on a self-declaration basis supported by mandatory third-party testing, ensuring both accountability and reliability. Its primary objective is to protect consumers from unsafe or substandard products while promoting consistent quality across the market. Non-compliance can result in penalties, product seizures, or restrictions on sales and imports. As the scope of CRS continues to expand, businesses must ensure ongoing compliance with testing, labeling, and documentation requirements to maintain uninterrupted access to the Indian market.
Scheme-X of BIS Certification:
Scheme-X is a product certification framework notified under the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, primarily applicable to machinery, electrical equipment, and associated assemblies. Under Scheme-X, manufacturers—whether based in India or overseas—may obtain a BIS licence or a Certificate of Conformity (CoC), depending on the applicable regulatory requirements and product category. Certified products under Scheme-X are permitted to carry the BIS Standard Mark, indicating conformity with prescribed Indian safety and technical standards. The scheme is designed to ensure higher levels of product safety, technical compliance, and risk-based conformity assessment, particularly for complex and industrial products.
Scheme-X typically applies to products such as low-voltage switchgear and control gear, pumps, compressors, industrial machinery, transformers, electrical equipment, and other assemblies or sub-assemblies as notified under applicable Indian regulations and Quality Control Orders.
Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and BIS Compliance:
Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are issued by the Government of India to mandate compulsory BIS certification for specific product categories in the interest of public safety, quality assurance, and consumer protection. Through QCO notifications, products are formally declared as requiring mandatory conformity to Indian Standards before they can be manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold in the Indian market. Indian customs authorities and enforcement agencies require valid BIS certification for clearance of notified products, and non-certified goods may be subject to detention, rejection, seizure, or penal action. Compliance with applicable QCOs is therefore essential for uninterrupted market access and regulatory adherence.
