- BIS Certification Schemes ensure product safety & compliance to Indian standards.
- Indian brands rely on BIS to enter domestic & export markets.
- BIS Act 1986 established the legal basis for these mandatory and voluntary schemes.
- BIS is under which Ministry? It operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
- Brands like Havells and LG navigate these schemes by showcasing diligence certifications (ISI, CRS) for trust and compliance..
Introduction to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

BIS Certification is a government-approved quality guarantee mark that is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the National Standards body of India. The term “BIS” should not be confused with the term “ISO”, which is a non-governmental process. The BIS certification means that the products are conforming to the Indian standards notified under the BIS Act 1986 and are being produced in a safe, reliable and quality manner.
BIS certification is compulsory for several categories of products, including electrical appliances, steel products, cement, toys, electronics, and many more, and these products must be compliant either under the ISI certification scheme or the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). The imprint of BIS certification is evidence which demonstrates a manufacturer’s diligence Certification in meeting Indian compliance norms.
Activities of BIS

Activities carried out by BIS to ensure the quality and safety of products and services involve:
- Formulation of Standards: This involves developing Indian Standards to get products, services, and systems into a situation of assured quality and safety across industries.
- Certification schemes: These certify products or goods, precious metal hallmarking, and certification of management systems to ensure that products meet standards.
- Conducting Laboratory Tests: This refers to the organization of laboratories that are operated to enforce the testing of products to ensure that they meet quality and safety benchmarks.
- Quality Control Orders (QCOs): Identification and enactment of QCOs to regulate and/or restrict the manufacture and import of essential products that ensure public safety.
- Consumer affairs: Every action aimed at attending to consumer complaints. Besides raising awareness programs, such measures create awareness about the standardization, safety, and fitness of products.
- Training and Capacity Building: Creating and providing training events and workshops for industrial stakeholders on the layout and process of quality standards. .
BIS certification schemes that guide in an appreciable context of product testing, quality assurance, and compliance verification areas. This means that BIS certification wouldn’t confine you to a set of labeled entities but to products touching upon most of the things- electric appliances, food products, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, automotive parts construction material, or industrial equipment.
What Are Bis Certification Schemes?
Short summary :
Bis Certification Schemes are regulatory frameworks set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (under the BIS Act 1986 and Ministry of Consumer Affairs) defining quality standards, mandatory markings like ISI and CRS, and compliance pathways for manufacturers and importers.
- BIS operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution — answering directly to government oversight.
- The BIS Act 1986 is the legal foundation, granting BIS authority to enforce standards, inspect, and penalize unfair products.

Types of BIS Certification Schemes
- ISI Certification Scheme
- Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)
- Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme(FMCS)
- BIS Hallmarking Scheme
- Eco Mark Scheme
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has implemented various certification schemes. It is said to care for the safe and sound quality of products across various Indian industries. These certification schemes are meant to promote and harmonize the type of products available; just the way they foster consumer trust, they make it easier for the product to enter its market. Let’s understand each scheme one by one:
1. ISI Certification Scheme
ISI certification scheme is given alongside the product in terms of Indian standardization, assured for the specific consumer product. It is the authentication mark of safety and quality positioned on the product.
Key features :
- Mandatory for several items such as cement, iron and steel, automobile components, and various electrical appliances.
- Periodical obligatory inspections and testing of the product in the factory.
- Ensuring that products conform to Indian standards (IS).
2. Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)
The Certified Refurbished Standards were instituted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in 2012 for Electronics and Information Technology CRS mandates that certain electronic and IT products must meet security and operational standards.
Key features :
- All products must be tested by a BIS-approved lab.
- Before sending them out for sale in the Indian market, they must register themselves with CRS.
- It covers the purpose to save users from being victims of consumer security, as well as increasing the quality of products.
3. Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)
The primary goal of FMCS is to facilitate a certification process for foreign manufacturers, allowing them to pursue BIS Certification easily and display the ISI mark on products exported to the country, which are manufactured according to Indian safety standards.
Key Features:
- The factory audit and product testing have to be carried out by a BIS-recognized laboratory.
- To be appointed as Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
- Both mandatory and voluntary product certification fall under this system.
4. Hallmarking Scheme
The Hallmarking Scheme is all about certifying authenticity. by the purest of metals such as Gold, Silver, Platinum, etc. thereby ensuring quality and authenticity for the consumer.
Key features:
- Mandatory for ornaments and artifacts made of gold and silver.
- BIS-approved Assaying and Hallmarking Centers would be the ones testing the same for purity levels.
- Enhances consumer confidence in buying jewelry.
5. ECO Mark Scheme
The ECO Mark Scheme of the German Environment Agency certifies products that are environment-friendly and meet the environmental criteria of IPPC.
Key Features
- The product is commercially sustainable.
- It meets norms of quality and environmental performance.
- Being recognized by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC)
The BIS Act 1986 & Ministry Oversight
Under the BIS Act 1986, BIS can:
- Define national standards
- Notify compulsory products
- Conduct misbranding investigations
- Impose penalties for non-compliance
BIS reports to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution—it has teeth, not just technical suggestions. That’s why even industry leaders like Havells ensure every component carries proper BIS marking before distribution.
Documents for BIS Certification
For a BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification in India, the documents asked depend on the certification for which the manufacturer wants to apply. Below are some of the most common documents required in the course of the certification of BIS:
1. An application form
- A completed application form is available over the BIS website or a local office of BIS with details regarding the manufacturer, the product, and the type of certification needed.
- Warehouses are disclosed on the application form including consumption, retail and exchanges.
2. Manufacturing data
- Whereas manufacturers must submit the address and means of manufacturing, the layout plan of the factory must show equipment for production.
- Bills of materials for machinery.
3. Outlay of Product Specifications
- Detailed specifications of the product for which certification is sought. Data and drug.
- Specifications, i.e., specification for the product and the type of material used for those purposes, compliance with relevant Indian Standards (IS codes).
4. Test Reports
- Reports on the test laboratory, which certifies that the product fulfills the standards applying to it within any Indian standard that can be employed. These reports must be obtained from a laboratory accredited and recognized by the BIS administration of India.
- Any certificate regarding the matching of the IS standards.
5. Internal Quality Control Information
- An explanation of the entire internal in-house quality process regarding the protocols for testing, the record of control maintenance, and records regarding quality assurance systems that are kept.
- Records of in-house testing whether it is; in-house or external or together with a third-party laboratory.
Costing for BIS Certification
Here’s a table summarizing the typical costing structure for BIS Certification in India. Please note that the costs may vary based on the specific certification scheme, product category, and other factors:
| Expense Type | Amount | Remarks |
| Testing Charges | As applicable | The applicable charges shall vary depending upon:- Manufacturing location- Product type & variety- Number of models |
| Government Charges | As actual | Government charges include application fees, audit fee, parking fees, and others, if any |
| Professional Charges | As actual | For more details, call: 9990503885,9471642921 |
Authorized Indian Representative’s Role (AIR)
For each foreign manufacturer, appointing an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) is a must. The AIR serves as an ambassador liaison between the BIS and the foreign manufacturers to ensure compliance with the Indian regulations, documentation, and communications. They are responsible for itemizing aspects such as application submission, inspection coordination, and other necessary activities for the specific applicability on behalf of the manufacturer.
The Authorized Indian Representative(AIR) is the key to BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification of foreign producers. AIR acts as an intermediary between a foreigner and the BIS, making it convenient to get certified by following Indian standards and dealing with any situation that is likely to be problematic in the course. AIRs are the only representatives permitted to represent any foreign producer in all matters concerning the BIS certification.
ISI Mark Secured in 2 Weeks: A QC Turnaround Story from Pune
A Pune-based ceiling fan maker approached me after failing a surveillance audit—poor solder joints in motor coils. We swiftly instituted stricter QC protocols («First‑By—First‑Out») and re-engineered training. Within two weeks, they passed. Now all their fans bear the ISI logo, and they’ve grown 25% in retail acceptance.
Why Choose Diligence Certifications?
We offer the simplification of the complete certification process for businesses and manufacturers. We hold an expert team that works with our customers from document preparation to liaison with BIS authorities and covers all aspects of the certification process.
Our solutions cater to:
- Custom-designed solutions for different yearly certification schemes.
- Assistance in preparing product tests and factory inspection facilities.
- Regular consulting concerning compliance and renewals.
Choosing Diligence Certifications is the synonym for getting an experienced and trusted partner who can help you solve all these BIS-certifying complexities in India. We make your certification process very smooth and efficient so that you save time and resources with the assurance of complying with all regulatory standards.
Conclusion
BIS certification is not only a formality, it is an advantage for every manufacturer and importer. The BIS Act 1986 has the Bureau of Indian Standards administer a variety of BIS certification schemes to verify various characteristics of product quality, safety, and trust. Among the numerous schemes that are managed by the Bureau are ISI certification, Hallmarking, and certifications of diligence certification that demonstrate that a product is compliant with a set of established Indian and internationally recognized norms.
By complying with BIS standards, industries make it possible for their products to have credibility in the “World of Standards” and therefore be exportable. No matter whether the certification is mandatory or voluntary, it gives regulators and consumers confidence.
Once a company becomes BIS certified, it is an instant superstar in the market and can easily navigate any regulatory red tape. Consumers and end-users will benefit from safer, more reliable products. Even though BIS is an arm of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, it still undertakes a DRI audit to ensure that proper quality frameworks are being followed. This means every certification granted can protect human lives while establishing universal foundational standards. Therefore, what BIS offers to a manufacturer is not just legal access; it is brand, brand value, and market opportunities.
To get expert guidance and support, contact Diligence Certifications today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are Bis Certification Schemes?
They’re legal conformity frameworks under the BIS Act 1986 that mandate standards like ISI and CRS for safer products.
Why is ISI Certification important?
It is legislatively required for products like wires and LPG cylinders. It provides assurance to both compliance requirements and consumers.
Which products need CRS?
Electronic and IT products like mobile chargers, modems—CRS ensures telecom safety standards.
How long does BIS certification take?
Typically 4–8 weeks depending on product complexity and lab queue times.
What penalties exist for non-compliance?
Fines up to ₹25 lakh and imprisonment up to 3 years under the BIS Act 1986.
What is the ministry that BIS comes under?
It operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Is BIS mandatory or voluntary?
Some schemes, namely ISI and CRS, are mandatory; the rest are voluntary.
Can foreign manufacturers apply directly?
Yes—with a local Indian representative or authorized agent.
Does BIS certification cover environmental safety?
It includes material standards but not full eco-audits—overview part of other ministries.
How does diligence certification help in BIS certification?
It proves product quality, speeds BIS approval & ensures legal compliance. explore the page bis certification guide.
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