BIS Certification for Footwear Products – Shoes, Slippers And More

• BIS Certification for footwear is mandatory for select footwear categories under QCO.
• ISI mark is a legal requirement for compliance in India.
• Relevant standards include IS 10702, IS 11544, IS 15298-2, and IS 15844.
• The process involves application, audit, testing, and license grant.
• Foreign brands must apply via FMCS with an Indian Representative.
• Regulations permitting noncompliance can lead to fines, embargoes, and even product recalls. 
• Securing certifications increases consumer confidence, retail acceptance, and legal protection regarding your products.

Introduction

Selling footwear in India? Then BIS Certification isn’t optional—it’s the law. Whether you’re a manufacturer or importer, 24 types of footwear now require BIS approval under the Government’s Quality Control Order. Without it, your products can be blocked at ports, delisted from marketplaces, or even seized.

This guide explains everything you need to know—from process and documents to cost, timelines, and real brand cases—so you stay 100% compliant and market-ready

Protect Your Brand: Ensure BIS Certification for Footwear

Take for example a well-known, Indian footwear brand who had to recall thousands of PU slippers from retail, because of a non-compliance notice issued by the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). Even though their >75% solid slippers were made with high quality materials, did not correctly and legally use the ISI mark as mandated by the Indian law. 

They lost money, and their credibility in the marketplace was diminished, while subject to legal oversight. 

Manufacturers and importers of footwear that are looking to access the Indian market cannot afford not to demonstrate regulatory compliance, not only to protect their foundations of their business and reputation, but the access to the market may be impacted.

BIS Certification for International Footwear Brands

The Indian market is the second largest and fastest growing market for footwear, predicted to rise to USD 26 billion by 2030, with international footwear manufacturers and exporters including products from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Korea, and Turkey now targeting Indian retail, eCommerce and institutional customers. 

Such as all markets, it helps with regulatory clearance before commercial engagement, if you are a foreign manufacturer and want to import and export notified footwear products in India, then you will have to get BIS Certification under the FMCS Certification Scheme.

What is BIS Certification for Footwear?

Under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the oversight agency for standardization and quality BIS certification for goods in India. The Bureau of Indian Standards provides various types of certification and guarantees that consumer goods meet applicable Indian Standards (IS) prior to certification through its schemes.

For footwear products, BIS certification signifies that:

• The product meets safety and durability benchmarks.
• It is legally approved for sale in the Indian market.
• It carries the ISI mark, which assures quality to consumers.

Categories Under BIS Certification:

• Rubber Hawai Chappals
• PU Sole Slippers and Sandals
• Leather Safety Boots
• Sports Footwear
• and more as notified by DPIIT

FMCS – BIS Certification for Foreign Footwear Manufacturers

Foreign companies must apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).

Key Requirements:

• Appoint an Indian Authorized Representative (AIR)
• Submit legal agreements, power of attorney
• Factory visit by BIS Certification officials
• Local address for communication and testing coordination

Processing time: ~10–12 weeks
Cost: Higher due to travel, documentation, courier, and legal liaison

Complete List of Footwear Standards (As per BIS QCO)

Legal Framework: BIS QCOs for Footwear

Under the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Government of India, it is mandatory for certain categories of footwear to carry the ISI mark.

Authority:

• Enforced by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
• Administered by the BIS Certification

Products falling under QCO without the ISI mark cannot be sold, manufactured, stored, or distributed.

Applicable Indian Standards

Note: More standards are being added regularly—always check the latest list from BIS Certification.

Key FMCS Requirements for Global Applicants

How One Footwear Brand Achieved BIS ISI Certification

A Thailand-based footwear brand was expanding into Indian B2B distribution but faced delays due to incomplete understanding of FMCS Certification requirements.

Diligence Certifications helped them:

• Appoint a compliant AIR
• Prepare documents for Form VI (FMCS Certification form)
• Arrange BIS officer factory audit
• Coordinate international sample logistics
• Complete testing and get license in 10.5 weeks

The result? They secured an ISI-mark license under IS 11544:1986 and now export over ₹1.2 Cr worth of products quarterly to India.

 Who Must Obtain BIS Certification for Footwear?

• Footwear manufacturers (domestic and international)
• OEM/ODM brands supplying to Indian retailers
• Private label owners selling under own brand name
• Importers and e-commerce sellers (e.g., Amazon, Flipkart)

BIS Certification for Footwear Made of Rubber & Polymeric Materials

The Indian government has made it mandatory for manufacturers, traders, and importers of rubber and polymer-based footwear to obtain BIS certification, as outlined in the “Footwear Made from All-Rubber and All Polymeric Material and Its Components (Quality Control) Order, 2020.”

This order enforces quality standards for a wide range of products including Hawai chappals, rubber gumboots, PVC sandals, polyurethane boots, and other related footwear components. Whether produced locally or imported, these products must carry the ISI mark to be legally sold in India.

Products covered under this QCO cannot be stocked, distributed, sold, or imported in India without a valid BIS Certification license.

List of Footwear Covered under BIS QCO – Rubber & Polymeric Material

Below is a complete list of notified products, their corresponding Indian Standards (IS), and official BIS Certification standard titles:

BIS Standards for PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Footwear

Another crucial segment covered by BIS Certification is personal protective equipment (PPE) footwear, regulated through the “Personal Protective Equipment Footwear (Quality Control) Order, 2020.” These are specialized footwear designed to protect workers in high-risk environments such as construction, mining, metallurgy, and sanitation.

PPE Footwear Covered Under BIS:

Mandatory Compliance for Domestic & Foreign Manufacturers

• All footwear listed above must carry the ISI mark, which is only available after successful BIS certification.
• Foreign manufacturers must obtain certification under FMCS Certification (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) and appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
• Certification requires submission of technical details, factory audit, and product testing in BIS Certification-recognized Indian labs.

Footwear meant for export markets is exempt from this order. The BIS Certification mark is only required for items sold in the Indian market.

Why is BIS Certification Essential for Footwear Brands?

Legal Requirement

Stay out of court, avoid government fines, marketing recalls and lawsuits by meeting BIS Certification mandates.

Retail & eCommerce Access

The majority of retailers and platforms will reject any products that do not have BIS Certification/ISI certification.

Trust by Consumers

Indian consumers trust the ISI mark, and all products with the ISI mark are assumed more reliable and therefore safer

Entry to the Global Supply Chain

By complying with the Indian norms, you often gain a route to larger international trade and international participation in South Asia.

Access to Differentiation

Certification by the BIS Certification ensures that your products clearly made, certified products, and differentiates your company from unregulated competitive imports.

Step-by-Step BIS Certification Process for Footwear

Step 1 – Determine Applicable IS Standard

Begin by identifying the Indian Standard relevant to your footwear product. For instance, IS 11544 applies to PU sandals.

Step 2 – Apply Online via ManakOnline Portal

• Submit Form-V along with:
  
  • Product samples
  • Factory details
  • Manufacturing process
  • QMS documentation
    
• Foreign applicants must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)
  

Step 3 – Factory Inspection by BIS Certification Officer

A BIS officer will audit your facility to verify:

• Manufacturing capability
• Equipment & infrastructure
• Quality control labs
• Record-keeping systems

Step 4 – Product Sample Testing

The officer draws samples during the inspection which are sent to BIS Certification-approved labs for testing.

Step 5 – License Grant (ISI Mark Approval)

If your product passes the test and audit, you’ll receive:

• CM/L number
• Authorization to print ISI mark

Step 6 – Marking & Renewal

The ISI mark must be:

• Printed or embossed clearly on the product
• Include standard number + CM/L
• License renewable every 2 years
  

Timelines and Estimated Costs

Total Duration: 6–10 weeks

FMCS BIS Certification Process

1. Appoint AIR – Indian liaison for BIS Certification
2. Form VI Application – With factory details, documents, and business license
3. Schedule BIS Officer Audit – At your overseas manufacturing facility
4. Product Testing – Ship samples to India for testing in BIS Certification-accredited labs
5. License Grant – Receive CM/L number and ISI marking authorization
6. Mark & Ship – Begin exporting certified products to India

FMCS Certification Timelines & Costs

Total Duration: 8–12 weeks

Note: Costs may vary based on country, number of standards, and BIS Certification travel requirements.

Countries We Serve:

• China
• Vietnam
• Italy
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Indonesia
• Spain
• Brazil

Benefits of BIS Certification for Footwear Brands

Market Entry in India

Gain instant access to India’s regulated retail, institutional, and e-commerce channels.

Legal Immunity

Avoid customs rejections, port delays, and fines for non-marked goods.

Boost Exports

Certified goods get a competitive edge over unregulated imports.

Enhanced Brand Perception

The ISI mark is a trust symbol across South Asia—used by brands like Liberty, Relaxo, and Red Chief.

How Diligence Certifications Supports

At Diligence Certifications, we specialize in supporting foreign manufacturers with:

• Application filing & standard selection
• AIR support for foreign brands
• Factory audit preparation
• Sample testing coordination
• Post-certification compliance & renewal
• AIR Setup in India
• Legal Documentation (Form VI, Power of Attorney, Agreements)
• Audit Coordination with BIS
• Testing Logistics (DHL, FedEx, Customs Clearance)
• Multi-product certification for footwear variants
• Multi-standard licensing (e.g., IS 10702 + IS 15844)

“We helped a South Korean sports footwear OEM get certified under IS 15844 and launched them into the Indian e-retail market within 10 weeks.” – Client Manager, Diligence Certifications

Conclusion

For any brand aiming to sell footwear in India, obtaining the BIS Certification for Footwear is now the cost of entry—not just an added advantage.

The ISI mark speaks volumes to Indian buyers. It’s your compliance passport, trust signal, and defense against enforcement actions.

India is not just a growing consumer market—it’s a compliance-focused one.

Skipping BIS Certificate for Footwear under the FMCS route could result in confiscated shipments, trade rejections, and reputational loss.

If you’re serious about exporting footwear to India in 2025 and beyond, getting BIS certification is your first investment into trust, legality, and scale. Let Diligence Certifications be your strategic partner.
Get certified the smart way.
Partner with Diligence Certifications for expert-led, deadline-driven BIS Certification compliance.

FAQs – BIS Certification for Footwear