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- BIS Certification for Agro Textiles is mandated under IS 17355:2020 to ensure durability, UV resistance, and quality performance.
- ISI-marked agro textiles promote crop protection, yield stability, and sustainable farming.
- Diligence Certifications provides complete BIS registration services, testing coordination, and consultant support across India.
Introduction
A leading greenhouse and polyhouse manufacturer from Nashik was rejected in a tender by a state agriculture department. Reason? Their agro textile sheets lacked BIS under IS 17355:2020. Although the product met all specs, the absence of the ISI mark disqualified them. Within 45 days of engaging Diligence Certifications, they cleared BIS audits, passed third-party lab tests, and won a ₹35 lakh supply deal with compliance in place.
In a market where agro innovation is tied to national food security and farm productivity, BIS Certification for Agro Textiles has become more than optional—it’s vital.
Understanding BIS QCO for Agro Textiles: Non-Woven Mulch Mats
As a working channel onto the sustainable use of land management techniques for maximum crop yield opportunities, modern agriculture also tries to contribute this by introducing scientific farming. Nonwoven mulch mats are fast becoming one of such innovation put into practice. These mats act on soil protection, moisture conservation, temperature regulation, and weed suppression, which essentially work toward the natural goals of the farmer: maximizing yield while minimizing environmental cost.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enforce stringent regulations for Agro Textiles under the Quality Control Order (QCO) to maintain the quality, safety, and performance of these products. The Agro Textiles BIS Certificate guarantees that non-woven mulch mats will meet the durability, efficiency, and environmental safety criteria under IS 17355:2020. This certification acts as a strong guarantee for farmers and other stakeholders that the product meets internationally accepted levels of quality and trustworthiness.
What is BIS Certification for Agro Textiles?
BIS Certification for Agro Textiles is a third-party assurance that nets, sheets, and fabrics used in agriculture comply with Indian Standard IS 17355:2020. It is mandatory for manufacturers or importers who sell:
- Shade nets
- Insect nets
- Mulching sheets
- Protective crop covers
The certification permits the use of the ISI mark, symbolising tested quality, UV stability, tensile strength, and dimensional uniformity.
IS 17355:2020 – The Core Standard for Agro Textiles
The Indian Standard IS 17355:2020 sets the technical specifications for agro textiles meant for open field and greenhouse farming.
Key Parameters:
- UV resistance (minimum 300–500 hours)
- Bursting strength, tear strength
- Tensile strength (warp and weft directions)
- GSM (gram per square metre) for fabric density
This standard applies to agro textiles made from:
- HDPE
- LDPE
- Polypropylene
- Polyester
It governs shade nets used for horticulture, floriculture, plant nurseries, and fruit farming.
Who Needs BIS Licence for Agro Textiles?
Entities that must obtain BIS Certificate include:
- Domestic manufacturers of agricultural shade nets
- Importers and exporters supplying to the Indian market
- Greenhouse and polyhouse fabricators
- Government-approved farm input suppliers
- Dealers or brands selling under private labels
Why BIS Certification is Crucial for Agricultural Textiles
- Regulatory Compliance: Mandatory under Quality Control Orders (QCO)
- Farm Safety: Ensures UV-stable, durable material to protect crops
- Eligibility for Govt Tenders: Required in smart farming and subsidy schemes
- Market Access: Retailers and institutional buyers prefer ISI-marked goods
- Brand Trust: Improves positioning in competitive agro input markets
What are Non-Woven Mulch Mats?
Engaging with these mats is defined, non-woven mulch dealing with fabrics made with synthetic fiber. Hence it can be used as coverings of soil surfaces around plants. Unlike a woven surface, non-woven mats are produced through mechanical or chemical bonding of fibers; thus, the resultant is very lightweight permeables; this fabric allows the free passage of air, water, and nutrients but does block weeds and soil erosion.
The mats can be used mostly in agricultural fields; they can also be used in gardens and landscape projects. A good beneficial barrier helps in just maintaining the temperature of soil, conserving moisture, so a minimal use of herbicides is made if any.
Key Features and Benefits
- Weed suppression: A major plus for the non-woven mulch mat is the ability for weed suppression. The mats block sunlight to prevent weed seeds from germinating and compete for nutrients and water.
- Moisture retention: The non-woven mats retain moisture by limiting evaporation. This is beneficial for dry areas or during hot spells, ensuring that the plant receives adequate watering.
- Regulation of soil temperature: The mats act as insulators since they help maintain the temperature of the soil for optimal plant growth. This is very useful in extreme weather, where the plants are subject to temperature variation.
- Prevention of soil erosion: Non-woven mulch mats help prevent soil erosion due to wind and water runoff by covering the soil. This helps retain topsoil, which is crucial for healthy plant growth.
Importance of IS 17355:2020
IS 17355:2020 is the Indian Standard that specifically provides the requirements for non-woven agro textiles, including mulch mats. This standard assumes significance for several reasons.
- Protection of Quality: IS 17355:2020 provides guidance for quality assessment and performance of non-woven mulch mats. The compliance of the products with this standard will ensure that the products will meet some minimum performance standards, thereby enhancing their credibility and efficacy for agricultural use.
- Raw Material Specification: The standards stipulate the raw materials that should be used to manufacture non-woven mulch mats, ensuring that the materials are durable, UV resistant, and free from harmful substances that can affect plants and soil health in sustainable agricultural practices.
- Test of Performance: IS 17355:2020 states which tests must be carried out to assess such parameters as tensile strength, elongation, and moisture retention capabilities concerning some critical physical and mechanical properties of mulch mats. This test confirms the performance of mats under different environmental conditions.
- Laws and Regulation: The manufacturers that follow IS 17355:2020 can ensure that their products adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, thus avoiding possible penalties and enhancing marketability.
- Consumer Confidence: Certifying non-woven mulch mats under IS 17355:2020 offers consumers assurance regarding the quality and safety of these mats. This acts as a trust center for these certified products and will be promoted within the agriculture sector.
Testing Parameters and Equipment
To evaluate the quality and performance of non-woven mulch mats, various physical and mechanical properties must be assessed. The following outlines the possible tests to be conducted, along with the necessary equipment and conditions required for accurate measurement.
- Testing Parameters
a) Length
- Purpose: To measure the overall length of the mulch mat.
- Equipment: Calibrated steel rule of at least 2m graduated in cm and mm.
- b) Width
- Purpose: To determine the width of the mulch mat.
- Equipment: Calibrated steel rule of at least 2m graduated in cm and mm.
- c) Mass
- Purpose: To assess the weight of the mulch mat, which can indicate material density and overall quality.
- Equipment:
- Balance with an accuracy of ±0.1% of the determined mass.
- Die of an area of at least 50,000 mm².
- Template with an area of at least 50,000 mm².
- Steel rule and razor blade.
- d) Thickness
- Purpose: To measure the thickness of the mulch mat, which affects its durability and performance.
- Equipment:
- Presser foot with a reference plate having a plane surface of diameter at least 50mm greater than the presser foot.
- Measuring device with 0.01mm graduations.
- e) Tensile Strength
- Machine Direction: To assess the tensile strength of the mat when pulled in the machine direction.
- Cross Direction: To assess the tensile strength of the mat when pulled across the machine direction.
- Equipment: Tensile testing machine.
- f) Elongation
- Machine Direction: To measure the elongation percentage of the mat when pulled in the machine direction.
- Cross Direction: To measure the elongation percentage of the mat when pulled across the machine direction.
- Equipment: Tensile testing machine.
- g) Colour
- Purpose: To determine the color consistency and quality of the mulch mat.
- Equipment: Color measurement device or visual assessment under standardized lighting conditions.
- h) Ash Content
- Purpose: To measure the ash content, which provides insight into the composition and purity of the materials used.
- Equipment: Muffle furnace, balance, and appropriate sample preparation tools.
- i) Trapezoid Tear Strength
- Machine Direction: To evaluate the tear strength when the mat is pulled in the machine direction.
- Cross Direction: To evaluate the tear strength when the mat is pulled across the machine direction.
- Equipment: Tear strength testing apparatus.
- Testing Conditions
- Conditioning Chamber: Maintain relative humidity of 65 ± 2% and temperature of 27 ± 2°C to ensure accurate and consistent testing conditions.
Benefits of BIS Certification
Here are the benefits of BIS certificate for manufacturers of non-woven mulch mats:
- Consumer Assurance: It gives assurance to the end consumers regarding the quality and safety of the products, as they have undergone rigorous tests and comply with defined standards.
- Market Access: These products gain market competitiveness against non-certified products, especially in the current consumers’ market that demands reliable and quality-assured solutions for their agricultural needs.
- Regulatory Compliance: The rules of BIS have paved the way for avoidance of legal and regulatory crises by maintaining the integrity of business operation and good reputation in the industry.
BIS Certification Process for Agro Textiles (IS 17355:2020)
Step 1: Documentation and Application
- File Form V with manufacturing, testing, and technical details
Step 2: BIS Factory Audit
- On-site assessment of QA systems, traceability, raw material checks
Step 3: Product Sampling & Lab Testing
- BIS officer collects samples, tested at BIS-approved labs for strength, UV stability, GSM
Step 4: License Issuance
- If tests pass, BIS grants the ISI mark certification
Step 5: Ongoing Surveillance
- Annual audits and sample retesting to maintain validity
Documents Required for BIS Registration
- Udyam/MSME certificate or factory license
- Product technical specifications
- In-house lab equipment calibration details
- Third-party lab reports as per IS 17355
- QA manuals and process charts
- Trademark ownership proof (if applicable)
Costs, Timelines, and Validity of BIS Licence
| Element | Description |
| Certification Validity | 1 to 2 years |
| Processing Timeline | 30–45 working days |
| Estimated Fees | Depends on Product scope |
| Renewal | Before expiry, subject to surveillance audit |
What Does the ISI Mark Mean for Agro Textiles?
The ISI mark indicates:
- Product compliance with IS 17355:2020
- Certified UV protection and durability
- Product safety for long-term agricultural use
- Legal eligibility for farm subsidy-linked procurement
It serves as a buyer assurance tool in both B2B and government channels.
Role of BIS Certification Consultants for Agro Textiles
Working with a BIS Consultant speeds up certification by:
- Preparing accurate applications and lab test selection
- Handling documentation, factory readiness, and audit prep
- Ensuring no rejection due to technical or procedural gaps
Why Diligence Certifications?
- 1000+ BIS Certifications across agro, textile, and plastic sectors
- Deep expertise in polymer standards and QCO mandates
- Fast turnaround with guaranteed ISI mark clearance support
- End-to-end consultancy—from document prep to renewal audits
Conclusion
Soils from nonwoven mat mulch are also innovations in upcoming ages of agriculture; these are numerous conveniences that nourish and engage the sustainability of farming while increasing crop productivity. These mats control weeds, retain moisture, regulate soil temperatures, and thus induce less chemical applications for environmental and green manuring practices. Nonwoven mulch mats are thus quality controlled under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and its Quality Control Order-as defined under IS 17355:2020.
Thus, Diligence certification beyond this BIS compliance imported importance in ensuring nonwoven inexpensive mats’ quality and safety as they provide an independent assurance that the products meet the industry’s standards, hence creating trust in the users and stakeholders. This included aspects like material composition, performance, and environmental impact; ascertaining reliability and efficacy on all these aspects for agricultural application.
Non-woven mulch mats form part of the wider Agro textiles. Hence, it is a reflection of the great importance that advanced materials have in transforming agricultural practices. Each, therefore, becomes a part of the sustainable farming of better resource efficiency, saving and improving crop yield-based safety and quality indices-increasing outputs through the efficiency of availability in resource availability with BIS standards and diligence certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IS 17355:2020 in agro textiles?
IS 17355:2020 is the BIS standard that specifies quality, UV resistance, and strength requirements for agro textile products like shade nets and crop covers used in farming.
Why is BIS Certification important for agro textiles?
It ensures your product meets Indian quality benchmarks, improves credibility, and is often mandatory for supplying to government or large institutional buyers.
Which agro textile products are covered under IS 17355:2020?
The standard applies to knitted shade nets and similar protective textiles used in agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture.
Is BIS Certification mandatory for shade nets?
For government tenders and regulated supplies, yes. It may be voluntary for open-market sales but still builds strong trust with buyers.
What is the process to get BIS Certification for agro textiles?
It involves sample testing, document submission, a factory audit by BIS, and licence approval—all guided efficiently by Diligence Certifications.
How long is the BIS Certification valid?
Initially valid for 1 year, it can be renewed for up to 5 years based on compliance and documentation.
What are the testing requirements under IS 17355:2020?
Products are tested for GSM, tensile strength, mesh size, shading factor, and UV stability at NABL-accredited labs.
Can MSMEs apply for BIS Certification for agro textiles?
Yes, micro and small manufacturers are eligible and can benefit from certification with help from expert consultants like Diligence Certifications.
What documents are needed for BIS approval?
Basic business registration, quality assurance plan (QAP), test reports, manufacturing details, and production records.
How can Diligence Certifications help with BIS Certification?
They offer complete support—from lab testing to audit coordination—ensuring faster certification and full compliance with IS 17355:2020.
