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- BIS certification for work chairs ensures ergonomic safety, structural integrity, and durability for India’s modern workplaces.
- Under IS 17631:2022, BIS-certified work chairs meet strict load, backrest, and material standards.
- Companies with diligence certification favour BIS-compliant chairs for audits and workplace safety mandates.
- Brands like Featherlite and Godrej now lead the compliant office chair market in India.
- Proper certification is key for corporate purchases, tenders, and employee wellbeing initiatives.
Introduction
In 2023, a Bengaluru-based BPO faced an unexpected HR compliance challenge. After an internal audit linked 12 employee back pain complaints to untested office chairs, they faced scrutiny from both insurance and labour inspectors. The issue? Their chairs lacked BIS certification for work chairs, specifically under IS 17631:2022.
It wasn’t just about replacing chairs—it cost them over ₹7.5 lakh in insurance claim delays and reputation loss.
This real-world case reflects a growing workplace truth: ergonomic safety is no longer a luxury—it’s a legal, physical, and operational requirement.
What Is BIS Certification for Work Chairs?
BIS certification for work chairs ensures chairs are safe, comfortable, and standardized under IS 17631:2022. It’s legally important in many commercial settings.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced mandatory certification for work chairs used in commercial and institutional settings. Under IS 17631:2022, office chairs must pass stringent tests for durability, ergonomics, safety, and fire resistance.
By introducing IS 17631:2022, the Bureau of Indian Standards has made it a mandatory certification for work chairs to ensure that the chairs meet some of the mandatory safety, strength, and ergonomic requirements before being placed onto the market. The certification is a regulatory requirement as well as a hallmark of quality that engenders trust in consumers while building the reputation of the brand. Any manufacturer wanting to manufacture work chairs in India has to get BIS certification to do so legitimately.
Diligence Certifications is also providing consultancy services to companies wishing to fast-track their work chairs to BIS Certification to ensure that manufacturers are steered through all regulatory requirements in the shortest possible time.
IS 17631:2022 Explained – Indian Standard Overview
This Indian Standard is based on ISO 21015 but adapted to Indian users and environmental conditions. It includes:
- Static Load Tests: Chair must hold 110–150 kg without frame deformation.
- Backrest Tilt Tests: Ensures recline doesn’t cause user fall or fatigue.
- Wheel Caster Safety: Rollers must pass 10,000+ cycles without detachment.
- Material Safety: Fabrics should be non-toxic and low-emission.
- Seat Edge Tests: Rounded contours to reduce leg numbness.
Chairs must undergo tests at BIS-approved labs or certified manufacturing units. Without passing this, they cannot carry the ISI mark—a requirement in many tenders and office supply contracts.
How BIS Certification Impacts Indian Industries and Offices
- Legal Compliance: More states are including certified furniture in shop & establishment inspections.
- Insurance Validity: Some corporate health insurers now review seating standards in claim evaluations.
- Employee Wellbeing: Ergonomic chairs reduce musculoskeletal injury, fatigue, and absenteeism.
- Tender Eligibility: Govt tenders and some corporate RFPs now require BIS-certified work chairs only.
- Diligence Certification Tie-in: ISO audits, ESG reports, and diligence reports flag non-compliant furniture.
A Pune-based IT startup moved from a generic supplier to Godrej’s BIS-certified model after a VC’s due diligence flagged chair compliance. They now cite it as part of their HR policy deck.
Importance of BIS Certification For Work Chair
The certification process for work chairs bears much significance in many aspects, such as:
- Consumer Safety: The chair should be free from defects and should not pose any risk.
- Quality Standardization: It establishes the quality standard that should be maintained by the manufacturer.
- Regulatory Compliance: It is a regulation that complies with the manufacture and import of furniture in India.
- Expansion of Business Opportunities: It has led to increased market opportunities and consumer confidence.
- Decreased Liability Risks: It protects against litigation owing to safety issues of the product.
BIS Standards for Office Chairs: Testing & Compliance
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Static Load | 150 kg (min) on seat and backrest |
| Cyclic Load | 1,20,000 cycles for moving parts |
| Armrest Strength | Withstand 40 kg sideways force |
| Tilt Mechanism | No snap-back; 50,000 recline cycles |
| Caster Durability | 10,000+ roll tests on tile & carpet |
| Seat Dimensions | Min. 45 cm wide; edge radius ≥ 5mm |
| Fire Resistance | Fabric ignition resistance tested |
Many fail in the tilt-back fatigue and caster strength tests—where Indian flooring often causes early failure.
QCO Notification: BIS Now Mandatory for Office Chair Compliance
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, issued a Quality Control Order (QCO) making it mandatory for manufacturers and importers of work chairs to obtain BIS certification under IS 17631:2022. This move aims to eliminate substandard ergonomic furniture in Indian offices and ensure that only safe, durable, and compliant chairs are used across workplaces.
Documents Required for BIS Certification for Work Chair
These are some documents that need to be submitted by manufacturers to apply for the BIS certification. The documents are:
- Certificate of Company Registration
- Manufacturing License
- Factory Layout plan
- List of Machinery and Equipment
- Product Details and Technical Specifications
- Quality Control Documents
- Authorized Indian Representative Document, AIR (for Foreign Manufacturers)
- ISO Certification
- Application Form with Applicable Fees
- Proof of Trademark Registration, if any.
- Compliance with Environmental and Fire Safety Norms
Benefits of BIS Certification for Work Chair
BIS certification for work chairs under IS 17631:2022 caters for many advantages:
- Legal Compliance: The product adheres to Indian regulatory norms.
- Market Access: It is mandatory to sell work chairs in India.
- Consumer Trust: Brand credibility has improved, and trust amongst consumers has been developed.
- Competitive Advantage: It provides an edge over unlicensed products.
- Improved Quality Control: It ensures stringent manufacturing and testing processes being followed.
- Protection Against Legal Issues: To avoid penalties and product recalls for non-compliance.
- Brand Reputation Enhancement: It shows a commitment towards product quality and safety.
BIS Certification Process for Work Chair (IS 17631:2022)
The BIS certification requires many steps whereby thorough evaluation and compliance are ensured. Diligence Certification offers expert consulting services to ease the process:
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Check whether the work chair conforms to the IS 17631:2022 standard.
- Check whether all manufacturing facilities are complying with BIS requirements.
Step 2: Testing and Documentation
- Test the product in a BIS-recognized laboratory.
- Compile all necessary documents as per the requirement of BIS instructions.
Step 3: Application Submission
- Fill in the application form for BIS certification.
- Submit along with test reports and other documents considered necessary.
Step 4: Factory Inspection
- The BIS will inspect the manufacturing facility on an actual basis to look into quality control measures.
- Check whether the safety, durability, and environmental standards are in place.
Step 5: Grant of Certification
- The BIS would give a certificate if the product complies with the standards and passes testing.
- The manufacturer is free now to apply the ISI mark on the product.
Step 6: Post-Certification Compliance
- Audit and retesting on a regular basis to ensure continued compliance.
- Renew the certification as per BIS guidelines.
How Diligence Certifications helps to obtaining Certification For Work Chair
BIS certification for work chairs is a highly tedious and time-consuming task requiring profound knowledge of regulatory requirements, testing protocols, and documentation. Diligence Certifications supports both manufacturers and importers through all stages of BIS certification for a hassle-free experience. Here is how we help:
- Expert Consultation: With compliance experts who are engaged by manufacturers with studies on the application of their work chairs in compliance with the requirements of IS 17631:2022 throughout the BIS certification, our advice will be invaluable.
- Document Preparation: We assist in gathering and preparing all required documents, including certificates of the company registration, test reports, and quality control documents, in compliance with the BIS norms.
- Product Testing Coordination: We coordinate with laboratories approved by BIS for product-testing activities of work chairs to ensure full compliance with safety, durability, and ergonomics.
- Application Filing & Submission: Our team executes the entire procedure for filing application forms, leaving nothing to chance and minimizing errors, hence promoting fast approvals.
- Factory Audit Assistance: We render help to manufacturers through preparation for the factory inspection by the BIS regarding compliance with all production and quality control standards.
- Post-Certification Support: We assist our customers in working towards their continued compliance after obtaining their certification through such things as renewal and periodic audits.
Diligence Certifications is the ideal partner to assist manufacturers through the laborious process of BIS along with confirming that the highest quality and safety standards have been fulfilled. Contact us now, and we will start the process of getting your work chairs BIS certified under IS 17631:2022.
Conclusion
Investing in BIS certification for work chairs is more than just a compliance checkbox. It reflects an organisation’s commitment to employee health, ESG alignment, procurement diligence, and operational safety.
With the rise in hybrid work models and long sitting hours, ergonomic failure is not just discomfort—it’s a liability.
Whether you’re furnishing a startup, scaling a co-working space, or procuring for a government body, make sure every chair carries the ISI mark under IS 17631:2022.
Looking for certified vendors? Reach out to our compliance support team—we help brands source only BIS-tested and audit-ready furniture.
Get your free consultation now
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BIS Certification for a Work Chair?
A BIS Certification for Furniture (Work Chair) under IS 17631:2022 may guarantee that office chairs comply with safety, durability, and performance thresholds defined by the Bureau of Indian standards (BIS).
Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Work Chair in India?
An authorized body is to inspect work chairs that are not in conformity with the norms put out in IS 17631, Amendments 1 and 2, in order to furnish a safe working environment.
What is IS 17631:2022 for Work Chair?
This is the Indian Standard for work chairs to be used in offices or commercial spaces: IS 17631:2022. Quality, strength, ergonomic and safety aspects are laid down in this standard.
What are the Documents Required for BIS Certification?
Business registration certificate (Company GST, PAN, etc.)
Product test reports from a BIS-approved lab
Manufacturing process details
Factory layout and machinery details
Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) details (for foreign manufacturers)
How Long Does it take to Get BIS Certification for Work Chairs?
It may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Full-scale BIS certificate to be issued, dependent on the company inspection process, a 3-week span from final submission, and whatever extra time it takes to complete the inspection phase.
Can Foreign Manufacturer Apply for BIS Certification?
Yes, all foreign manufacturers are required to engage an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for application of BIS certification in Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).
How Can Diligence Certifications Help in Getting BIS Approval?
Diligence Certifications is at its best in offering all kinds of consultancy services like:
Documentation Support
Filing of Applications to BIS
Test Coordination
Factory Inspection Assistance
AIR Represent for Foreign Brands
