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BIS For Non-Ferrous Refined Metals

BIS certification is now mandatory for refined non-ferrous metals such as refined zinc, refined nickel, tin ingot and primary lead...

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Key takeaways

BIS certification is now mandatory for several refined non-ferrous metals under Quality Control Orders (QCOs) notified by the Ministry of Mines.
The four metals first brought under compulsory certification are refined zinc, refined nickel, tin ingot and primary lead.
Licences are issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the BIS Act, 2016, and certified products must carry the ISI mark (Standard Mark).
Certification follows Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Indian producers apply under the domestic scheme; foreign manufacturers apply through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
The QCOs took effect from 17 October 2025; uncertified metal cannot be sold or imported into India.
The licence is typically valid for up to 2 years and renewable, subject to BIS conditions.

Overview

What is BIS certification for non-ferrous refined metals?

BIS certification for non-ferrous refined metals is a mandatory product certification that confirms refined metal complies with the relevant Indian Standard before it can be sold, stocked or imported into India. It is granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards under the BIS Act, 2016, and entitles the producer to apply the ISI mark (the BIS Standard Mark) to certified output.

The requirement flows from Quality Control Orders issued by the Ministry of Mines, which bring named non-ferrous metals under compulsory certification. Once a metal is covered by a QCO, no person may manufacture, import, distribute, sell or store that metal for sale unless it bears a valid BIS Standard Mark. The aim is to keep sub-standard and adulterated refined metal out of the Indian supply chain and to give downstream industries assured purity and quality.

Metals currently brought under compulsory certification

Refined zinc (zinc ingots and slabs)
Refined nickel (nickel cathodes and ingots)
Tin ingot (refined tin)
Primary lead (refined lead)

Standards & scope

Metals, standards and the QCO framework

Each metal is certified against a specific Indian Standard. The QCO names the standard, and the BIS licence is issued against that standard. The list below reflects the first tranche of non-ferrous metals notified by the Ministry of Mines; further metals may be added by later orders.

Metal	Indian Standard
Refined zinc	IS 209
Refined nickel	IS 2782
Tin ingot	IS 26
Primary lead	IS 27

Framework element	Detail
Governing law	Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
Notified by	Ministry of Mines (Quality Control Orders)
Certification scheme	Scheme-I, Schedule-II, BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
Mark applied	ISI mark (BIS Standard Mark) with the licence number

For the general product-certification route and the mark itself, see our BIS Certification and ISI Mark Certification services.

Applicability

Who needs this certification

The QCOs apply equally to domestic and foreign producers placing covered refined metal on the Indian market. If your metal falls under a notified standard and is intended for sale in India, the BIS Standard Mark is compulsory.

Indian smelters and refiners producing refined zinc, nickel, tin or lead for the domestic market
Foreign manufacturers exporting covered refined metals to India
Importers and traders who stock or sell these metals in India
Recyclers and secondary refiners whose output meets a notified Indian Standard and is sold as refined metal

What is outside the order

Metal produced solely for export (export-oriented output is generally exempt)
Grades or products not covered by a notified Indian Standard
Any specific exemptions stated within the relevant QCO

Compliance

Why the BIS mark is now mandatory

Once a metal is covered by a Quality Control Order, selling, importing or storing it for sale without a valid BIS Standard Mark is an offence under the BIS Act, 2016. The order applies to Indian and overseas producers alike, and customs clearance can be withheld for uncertified consignments.

What non-compliance can cost you

Penalties and prosecution under the BIS Act, 2016, including fines and imprisonment for repeated breaches.
Seizure of stock and rejection of consignments at the port of entry.
Loss of market access, as buyers and tenders increasingly require the ISI mark.
Reputational damage and disruption to long-term supply contracts.

How it works

The certification process, step by step

The route depends on where the metal is produced. Both paths involve testing against the Indian Standard, a factory audit and the grant of a licence to use the Standard Mark.

Indian manufacturers

Prepare
Identify the applicable Indian Standard, confirm in-house testing capability and align production records with BIS requirements.
Apply on the BIS portal
File the application against the relevant standard and upload firm, factory and test-facility details.
Factory audit & sampling
A BIS officer inspects the works, verifies the quality-control set-up and draws samples for independent testing.
Grant of licence
On satisfactory test reports and audit, BIS grants the licence to use the ISI mark on the metal.

Foreign manufacturers (FMCS)

Appoint an AIR
Nominate an Authorized Indian Representative resident in India to liaise with BIS on your behalf.
File under FMCS
Submit the application on the BIS portal under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme with factory and product data.
Overseas audit & testing
BIS audits the overseas facility and samples are tested in a BIS-recognised laboratory against the Indian Standard.
Grant of licence
Once compliant, the licence is issued, allowing the ISI mark to be applied before export to India.

Paperwork

Documents required

Business registration or incorporation documents of the manufacturer
Factory address proof and manufacturing process flow chart
List of plant, machinery and in-house test equipment
Details of the applicable Indian Standard and product grades
Quality-control and test records, including raw-material control
Test reports of metal samples against the Indian Standard
Authorisation of the signatory and, where applicable, a trademark/logo declaration
For foreign manufacturers: appointment of the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

Lifecycle

Validity & renewal

A BIS product licence is generally granted for up to 2 years and is renewable.
Renewal should be filed before expiry to keep the ISI mark in continuous use.
BIS conducts periodic surveillance and market sampling during the licence term.
A licence can be suspended or cancelled for non-conformity or misuse of the mark.

Foreign producers should plan early, as overseas audits and Indian-lab testing add time to the FMCS route.

Budgeting

Fees, validity & timeline

Costs vary with the scheme (domestic or FMCS), the number of standards and grades, sample-testing charges and, for foreign factories, audit and travel costs. The structure below shows the typical components; exact figures are set by the BIS fee schedule in force.

Component	Details
Application & licence fees	BIS application, grant and annual marking fees as per the prevailing schedule
Testing charges	Cost of testing samples against the Indian Standard in a recognised laboratory
Audit charges	Factory inspection fees, plus travel for overseas audits under FMCS
Validity	Typically up to 2 years, renewable before expiry
Timeline	Several weeks to a few months, depending on audit scheduling and test turnaround

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Why it matters

Benefits of BIS certification

Legal market access

Sell, stock and import covered refined metals in India without the risk of seizure or prosecution.

Assured quality

The ISI mark certifies the metal meets the Indian Standard for purity and composition.

Smoother imports

Certified consignments clear customs without quality-related hold-ups.

Buyer confidence

OEMs, smelters and tenders increasingly require the BIS mark from their suppliers.

Level playing field

Common standards for domestic and foreign producers keep competition fair.

Supply-chain integrity

Certification keeps adulterated and sub-standard metal out of downstream industries.

Why Diligence

Why work with Diligence Certifications

BIS certification for refined metals is document-heavy and audit-driven, and the FMCS route adds the complexity of overseas inspection and Indian-lab testing. We run the entire mandate so you can focus on production and supply.

Standard mapping: we confirm the exact Indian Standard and QCO applicable to your metal and grades.
Application & portal handling: end-to-end filing on the BIS portal for domestic and FMCS routes.
Audit readiness: we prepare your quality-control system and records so the factory audit goes smoothly.
AIR support: guidance on appointing and working with an Authorized Indian Representative for foreign factories.
Testing co-ordination: sample drawing and testing arranged in BIS-recognised laboratories.
Renewals & surveillance: we track validity and manage renewals and surveillance so the mark stays live.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which non-ferrous metals now need BIS certification?

The first tranche of refined non-ferrous metals brought under compulsory certification by the Ministry of Mines covers refined zinc, refined nickel, tin ingot and primary lead. Each is certified against its own Indian Standard, and further metals may be added by later Quality Control Orders.

Who issues the certification and under which law?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issues the licence under the BIS Act, 2016, against Quality Control Orders notified by the Ministry of Mines. Certified metal carries the ISI mark (the BIS Standard Mark) with the licence number.

Do foreign manufacturers also need a BIS licence?

Yes. Foreign producers exporting covered refined metals to India must obtain a licence through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), which requires appointing an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), an audit of the overseas facility and testing of samples in a BIS-recognised laboratory in India.

When did the orders take effect?

The Quality Control Orders for these four metals took effect from 17 October 2025. From that date, the covered metals cannot be manufactured for sale, imported, stocked or sold in India without a valid BIS Standard Mark.

Is metal made only for export covered?

Export-oriented production is generally outside the scope of these orders, which target metal placed on the Indian market. You should always check the exact exemption wording in the relevant QCO for your product.

How long does certification take and how long is it valid?

Timelines usually run from several weeks to a few months, driven by audit scheduling and test turnaround; the FMCS route takes longer because of overseas audits. A BIS product licence is generally granted for up to 2 years and is renewable before expiry, subject to surveillance during the term.

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