How to Obtain a BIS License for ISI Certification Mark

For any manufacturer aiming to sell products in India, the ISI certification mark is a powerful symbol of quality and reliability. Granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), this mark assures consumers that a product meets the established Indian Standards. Whether you’re producing packaged drinking water, electrical appliances, cement, or food products, understanding how to obtain a BIS license for the ISI certification mark is essential for both legal compliance and competitive advantage in the Indian market.

What is the ISI certification mark? 🔗

The ISI mark is a standards-compliance certification for industrial products in India that has been in use since 1950. The abbreviation stands for “Indian Standards Institution,” the original name of the national standards body before it became the Bureau of Indian Standards in 1978. When you see the ISI mark on a product, it certifies that the product conforms to a specific Indian Standard (IS) developed by BIS.

While the BIS certification scheme is primarily voluntary, the Central Government has made it mandatory for numerous products based on considerations like public health, safety, environmental protection, and prevention of unfair trade practices. Currently, over 450 products fall under mandatory certification, including cement, electrical appliances, LPG cylinders, automotive tyres, packaged drinking water, helmets, pressure cookers, and toys.

Prerequisites for applying for a BIS license 🔗

Before submitting your application, your manufacturing unit must meet specific requirements. According to BIS guidelines, manufacturers must have the requisite manufacturing infrastructure, appropriate process controls, quality control systems, and testing capabilities as specified in the relevant Indian Standard. The product itself must conform to all requirements laid down in that standard.

Manufacturing infrastructure requirements 🔗

Your production facility needs adequate equipment and machinery to manufacture products that meet the specified standards consistently. This includes proper production processes from raw materials to finished goods, quality control checkpoints throughout production, and documented procedures for each manufacturing stage.

Testing facilities 🔗

You must have access to testing equipment and laboratories capable of verifying product conformity. If your facility lacks certain testing capabilities, you can use BIS laboratories or BIS-recognized third-party laboratories. BIS has established testing facilities across India for products in chemical, food, electrical, and mechanical disciplines, with approximately 25,000 samples tested annually in BIS laboratories alone.

Step-by-step application process 🔗

BIS offers two options for obtaining product certification under Scheme-I. The choice depends on your product type and testing capabilities.

Option 1: Normal procedure 🔗

This route involves a comprehensive review where BIS officers visit your manufacturing premises to assess your infrastructure, process controls, and quality systems. During this visit, they verify your testing capabilities and collect product samples for independent laboratory testing. This option is suitable when your product and manufacturing process require detailed inspection.

Option 2: Simplified procedure 🔗

The simplified procedure is faster and relies on pre-submission of test reports from BIS or BIS-recognized laboratories. You submit your product samples for testing before applying, and then include these test reports with your application. The test report should generally not be more than 90 days old at the time of application.

Online application submission 🔗

All BIS product certification applications must be submitted online through the official portal at manakonline.in. The process involves creating an account on the BIS portal, completing the application form (Form-V), uploading all required documents, and paying the applicable fees online. Remember that separate applications are required for each product and Indian Standard, even if manufactured at the same location. Similarly, each factory location requires its own application, even for the same product.

Required documents for BIS license 🔗

When applying, you need to prepare several documents. These typically include proof of name and address of your office and factory, a certificate of incorporation or registration certificate, documents showing establishment of the production unit, an MSME/SSI certificate if applicable, detailed description of your production process from raw materials to finished products, list of testing equipment available, and quality control procedures followed at your facility.

Fee structure for BIS certification 🔗

The costs associated with obtaining a BIS license include multiple components. An application fee of ₹1,000 must be submitted with your application. Before BIS conducts the preliminary inspection visit, you pay an inspection fee of ₹7,000 per person per day. Once your application is approved, you must pay an annual license fee of ₹1,000 along with the minimum marking fee specified for your product category.

The marking fee varies by product and is specified in Annexure-I of Scheme-I of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. For electronic products under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, fees range based on risk category-high-risk products like batteries may have registration fees around ₹20,000, while low-risk products may cost around ₹6,000. MSMEs receive a 20% concession on processing fees.

Timeline for license grant 🔗

Under the simplified procedure (Option-2), licenses are typically granted within one month of complete application submission. The normal procedure (Option-1) takes approximately four months from the date of recording a complete application. Delays can occur due to pending responses to queries, scheduling inspections, sample submission issues, or outstanding fee payments.

License validity and renewal 🔗

A BIS license under Scheme-I is initially granted for a minimum of one year and maximum of two years. The license is valid only for the specific product varieties mentioned in it. Before expiry, you can apply for renewal through the manakonline portal for periods ranging from one to five years, provided your compliance record is satisfactory.

If you fail to submit the renewal application and fees before the expiry date, your license may be held in abeyance as per Regulation 8 of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Continued non-compliance can lead to license cancellation.

Post-license surveillance and compliance 🔗

Obtaining the license is just the beginning. BIS conducts regular surveillance to ensure continued compliance with Indian Standards. This includes unannounced factory visits by BIS certification officers or appointed agents to verify that you maintain manufacturing infrastructure, process controls, quality systems, and testing capabilities. During these visits, officers observe product testing in your factory and collect samples for independent third-party laboratory testing.

BIS also performs market surveillance by purchasing ISI-marked products from the market and testing them for conformity. Non-cooperation during surveillance inspections or failure to maintain standards can result in license suspension or cancellation under Regulation 11 of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Penalties for misuse 🔗

Using the ISI mark without a valid license carries serious consequences. Under Section 29(3) of the BIS Act, 2016, penal provisions apply for manufacturing or selling products with the ISI mark without proper certification. For products under compulsory certification, these penalties are more stringent. It’s worth noting that fake ISI marks are unfortunately common in India, making enforcement a continuous challenge.

Benefits of ISI certification for manufacturers 🔗

Beyond legal compliance for mandatory products, ISI certification offers significant business advantages. The mark serves as third-party assurance of quality, safety, and reliability to customers. It enhances brand reputation and builds consumer trust. For products under compulsory certification, you simply cannot legally manufacture, sell, import, or distribute without the ISI mark. Even for voluntary certification products, having the ISI mark provides a competitive edge, as the mark has become synonymous with quality in Indian and neighboring markets for over 55 years.

Special provisions for foreign manufacturers 🔗

Foreign manufacturers can also obtain BIS certification through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). This requires establishing a branch office in India with proper approvals and appointing an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) who acts as the local contact for Indian authorities. The application process, inspection requirements, and compliance obligations are similar to those for domestic manufacturers, with additional annual minimum registration fees.

What do you think? If you’re a manufacturer considering BIS certification, which aspect of the process concerns you most-meeting infrastructure requirements, navigating the application procedure, or maintaining ongoing compliance? Has the ISI mark influenced your purchasing decisions as a consumer?

References

1. https://www.bis.gov.in/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISI_mark
3. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1847501&reg=3&lang=2
4. https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/product-certification-faq/
5. https://www.manakonline.in
6. https://induceindia.com/bis-registration-process-license-renewal-and-fees/
7. https://foodregulatory.fssai.gov.in/bis