BIS Certification for Chemical Products: Step-by-Step Process?

• BIS certification for chemicals ensures product safety and regulatory compliance.
  
• Diligence Certifications simplifies BIS license for chemicals in India.
  
• Covers ISI mark, latest BIS standards, and chemical categories.
  
• Practical client examples to help understand BIS approval steps.
  
• Expert advice on how to meet Bureau of Indian Standards guide

The BIS certification for chemicals, represented by the ISI mark, is a compulsory requirement in India for specific chemical products to guarantee their quality, safety, and reliability. This certification is overseen by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards authority of India.

Introduction

Ravi, a chemical manufacturer from Ahmedabad, had just won a huge order from a multinational. But there was a catch: the buyer demanded BIS Certification for chemicals, failing which the deal would collapse. Overnight, Ravi found himself navigating the Bureau of Indian Standards, the maze of ISI marks, and the 58 notified chemical categories under BIS New Standards. Diligence Certifications stepped in as his compliance partner, helping him secure the license in record time, saving both his contract and his reputation.

This isn’t a one-off story. Across India, thousands of chemical traders, exporters, and manufacturers are facing this regulatory milestone. Let’s decode how you can secure your BIS Certification for chemicals, with real-life insights, actionable guidance, and expert observations from Diligence Certifications.

What is BIS Certification?

BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Certification is a product certification that is a third party confirmation that the certified product meets their standards for safety, quality, and performance. While BIS Certification was initially a voluntary scheme, it has now become a regulatory requirement, and the scope of goods requiring BIS Certification is continuously expanding, particularly with respect to chemical products, as determined by the Government of India.

Once a BIS licence has been issued to a manufacturer/importer, it entitles them to use the ISI mark, the Bureau’s certification mark, to advise the public that the product conforms to the applicable Indian Standards developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Who issues BIS Certification for Chemicals?

BIS is the national standards body, which provides (i.e., issues) BIS certification for chemicals. It was established under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs; as a national standards organisation, the BIS engages in standard and performance development, standard and product certification, and more.

After product testing has occurred to ensure the product will meet the applicable Indian Standard requirements, which include testing for safe use, consistency, and performance, BIS may issue a BIS certification to an applicant, if the applicant is willing to satisfy all conditions to certification; including quality requirements, documentation and audit requirements, etc. Only after all of these conditions have been met can a manufacturer legally use the ISI mark or obtain a BIS licence ID for their certified chemical products.

What is BIS Certification for Chemicals?

As per the recent notifications from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), it is now mandatory that no chemical falling under the Quality Control Order (QCO) framework can be sold, imported, or distributed without valid BIS certification. Chemicals covered under these QCO schemes include hydrogen peroxide, sulphuric acid, acetic acid, aniline, methanol, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, toluene, xylene, chlorinated paraffin wax, and methylene chloride, among others. Since the list of regulated chemicals continues to expand, traders, importers, and manufacturers must stay updated on new additions and their respective compliance deadlines to avoid disruption of business and regulatory penalties.

The Importance of BIS Certification for Chemicals

Obtaining BIS Certification for chemicals is not merely a rubber stamp. It is legal compliance under the BIS Act and Quality Control Orders. The certification is a protection to ensure that chemicals from adhesives to polymers sold within the country meet minimum safety, quality, and environmental criteria.

We have had a number of clients who are importers of chemicals come to us after being detained at a port for not having the correct BIS license for chemicals. In international trade, specifically when dealing with imports to India, the ISI mark is a mark of credibility and without it, you subject yourself to delays in shipping, penalties, or being blacklisted on government tenders.

At Diligence Certifications, we have had clients come to us, who had their stocks seized by customs, and in one case, a manufacturer of paint based in Mumbai lost 15 days of production, when customs seized his other raw material because the product did not have the correct BIS labelling. 

This is why getting the correct BIS license for chemicals is not a choice, but a necessary cost of doing business.

List of Chemicals Covered Under BIS Certification

Below is a structured table summarising products along with their corresponding Indian Standards. This reference helps manufacturers and importers quickly identify which chemicals require BIS certification in India.

BIS New Standards for Chemicals — 2025 Overview

The Bureau of Indian Standards has raised the bar with a series of newly notified Indian Standards, aimed at ensuring the safety, purity, and durability of chemicals used across Indian industry. These fresh requirements, issued under various Quality Control Orders, directly affect manufacturers, importers, and traders applying for BIS certification for chemicals.

In our experience at Diligence Certifications, clients are often caught off guard by these revisions. Missing out on even one Indian Standard can lead to port seizures, rejected shipments, or production delays. Here’s a practical breakdown of the most relevant standards every chemical business should know:

Polyacrylamide — IS 18103:2022
Used widely as a flocculant in water treatment, Polyacrylamide now must comply with IS 18103:2022. For those seeking a BIS license for chemicals in the water sector, ignoring this can mean failed tenders and costly re-testing.

CPVC — IS 17988:2022
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride, commonly used in pipes and fittings, has to meet IS 17988:2022. The BIS new standards for chemicals here address durability, heat resistance, and composition integrity to protect end-users from pipe failures or leaks, which could otherwise cause public health hazards.

Methyl Methacrylate — IS 17982:2022
This monomer, vital for producing paints, plastics, and adhesives, now falls under IS 17982:2022. It sets minimum purity and stability thresholds, ensuring safer downstream products. At Diligence Certifications, we have seen clients’ cargo held at port simply because older documentation ignored the new ISI mark requirements for Methyl Methacrylate.

PMMA — IS 17928:Part 1:2022
Polymethyl Methacrylate, a clear plastic used in signage, displays, and lenses, is regulated under IS 17928:Part 1:2022. These BIS standards focus on optical clarity, physical strength, and consistency. Indian signage and advertising companies especially need to watch out, as PMMA non-conformance can trigger BIS non-approvals.

Polyether Polyols — IS 18174:2023
A backbone ingredient in foams, adhesives, and coatings, Polyether Polyols are now brought under IS 18174:2023. The Bureau of Indian Standards wants these products to be tested for purity, shelf-life, and consistent chemical structure. Noncompliance can directly impact the furniture and bedding sector, where polyurethane foam is essential.

Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) — IS 17992:2022
BIS certification for chemicals has also turned its lens on hygiene products and agri-polymers with IS 17992:2022 for SAP. Testing parameters include water absorption, retention capacity, and toxicological safety — ensuring baby diapers, sanitary pads, and soil moisture products are safe and trustworthy.

Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI-80) — IS 17916:2022
The foam and paint industries rely on TDI-80, now covered under IS 17916:2022. Strict purity and stability requirements are enforced here, given TDI-80’s potential hazards. Inadequate adherence can result in occupational safety violations, something Diligence Certifications helps clients pre-check thoroughly.

Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) — IS 17927:Part 1:2022
EVA, used in footwear, films, and packaging, is now under IS 17927:Part 1:2022. These BIS new standards for chemicals ensure consistent flexibility, tensile strength, and safe additives in the final product, especially important for children’s shoes and food-grade packaging.

Polyvinyl Chloride Homopolymers — IS 17658:2021
PVC homopolymers, critical for pipes, cables, and fittings, fall under IS 17658:2021. BIS certification for chemicals here demands proof of resistance to thermal degradation, long-term mechanical properties, and safe stabiliser content. Diligence Certifications has seen manufacturers struggle to source compliant raw materials without our support.

In effect, these new Indian Standards go far beyond a paper formality. They build a safety net for the Indian consumer, while protecting honest businesses from substandard imports. From superabsorbents to PVC, every manufacturer is now accountable for demonstrating consistent safety, purity, and performance under these codes.

BIS Certification for Chemicals: Complete Process Explained

Obtaining a BIS certification for chemicals is a systematic, multi-stage process designed to ensure that every chemical product meets India’s mandatory safety, quality, and conformity standards. At Diligence Certifications, we have helped countless clients navigate this regulatory maze smoothly. Here’s a practical step-by-step breakdown of how the BIS licensing pathway generally unfolds:

Step 1: Identify the Relevant Indian Standard

The foremost task is to determine the exact Indian Standard (IS code) that applies to your chemical product. Each chemical is subject to a specific code notified by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Without correctly identifying this, your entire application can get rejected or stalled.

Step 2: Application Submission

Once you have confirmed the applicable Indian Standard, you must submit your formal application through the BIS online portal. Several documents are required for this stage, including:

• Certificate of incorporation
  
• Detailed manufacturing process flowchart
  
• Comprehensive product composition and formulation
  
• Third-party test reports from a BIS-recognised laboratory
  
• Factory layout and quality control system details
  

At Diligence Certifications, we usually recommend that applicants pre-audit these documents to avoid missing mandatory details, which could otherwise lead to costly delays.

Step 3: Testing & Sampling

Following document scrutiny, BIS officials will arrange for an on-site factory inspection. They examine the manufacturing infrastructure, staff competencies, and in-house quality controls. During this inspection, they also collect random production samples.

These samples are then sent to BIS-designated laboratories for thorough testing as per the relevant IS code. Failing these tests would mean repeating the entire application cycle. Many of our clients rely on our pre-assessment support to ensure samples are compliant even before BIS draws them.

Step 4: Grant of License

If the laboratory results confirm full compliance with the relevant BIS new standards for chemicals, and the manufacturing site meets all conditions, BIS will grant a certification license.

• Domestic manufacturers receive approval to apply the Standard Mark (ISI mark) on their products.
  
• Foreign applicants under the FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) are issued a BIS certification number.
  

In either case, this license signals that your chemical product has successfully passed India’s stringent quality and safety norms.

Step 5: Surveillance & Renewal

BIS certification for chemicals is not a one-time approval. Periodic surveillance audits are conducted by BIS officers to verify ongoing compliance. Generally, a BIS license is valid for two years. Renewal applications must be submitted before expiry to avoid disruption in manufacturing or sales permissions.

The BIS certification process for chemicals involves identifying the IS code, application, testing, licensing, and regular surveillance.”

Documents Required for BIS License for Chemicals

Before you approach BIS, you must prepare these mandatory documents:

• Product drawings and labels
• Chemical composition report
• Safety data sheet (SDS)
• Test reports from accredited labs
• Quality management certifications (ISO, etc.)
• Packaging and marking details

Missing a single document can delay approval. Diligence Certifications provides pre-screening so your paperwork is 100% BIS-compliant. One Hyderabad-based agrochemical company had to redo three months of production because their packaging lacked the correct ISI mark symbol — a simple, avoidable mistake.

“Proper documentation is the backbone of smooth BIS approval.”

Costs & Timelines for BIS Certification of Chemicals

Clients often ask: Is BIS certification expensive for chemicals? The truth is, costs vary. BIS fees are modest, but hidden expenses like lab testing, factory audits, and corrective upgrades can push the budget.

On average, Diligence Certifications has helped chemical manufacturers complete the BIS license process in 8–12 weeks, with an estimated total cost between ₹1.5–3 lakh for most products. Remember, for high-risk or toxic chemicals, stricter compliance may mean higher costs.

In 2024, a Gujarat-based petrochemical trader nearly lost a ₹10-crore deal due to a delayed BIS lab report — the cost of missing deadlines far exceeded the certification fees.

“Budget for lab tests and inspections to avoid last-minute BIS surprises.”

Benefits of Getting BIS Certification for Chemicals

When you secure BIS Certification, you unlock:

✔ Easier customs clearance
✔ Better brand perception
✔ Access to government tenders
✔ Faster market entry
✔ Higher consumer trust

In a competitive landscape, an ISI-marked chemical product is a passport to growth. Diligence Certifications has observed clients growing their sales by 40% after securing BIS approval.

“BIS certification is an investment that multiplies brand credibility and market access.”

Diligence Certifications: Your Partner in BIS Compliance

At Diligence Certifications, our BIS consultants go beyond paperwork. We coordinate with BIS labs, prepare your staff for audits, and even help redesign your product labelling. That’s the holistic, client-first approach that sets us apart.

Our process is transparent and reliable — a reason why over 300 chemical clients in India have trusted us for BIS licensing.

“Diligence Certifications is your expert partner for hassle-free BIS approval.”

Conclusion

In today’s regulated marketplace, BIS Certification for chemicals is not optional — it is vital for protecting your business and brand reputation. The ISI mark stands as a symbol of quality, safety, and compliance, reassuring customers and regulators alike.

At Diligence Certifications, we’re ready to guide you every step of the way, from choosing the right standard to handling paperwork, testing, and audits. Let us help you achieve BIS certification efficiently, so you can focus on growing your business with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions