A prominent manufacturer of stainless steel based in Jamshedpur took the time to talk with us about a common challenge they were facing: despite producing high-quality stainless steel blooms, billets, and slabs, they were losing significant business because buyers—particularly in critical sectors for engineering and defence applications—were unwilling to accept non-certified stainless steel. The missing link was BIS certification under IS 6529:1996, a guarantee that their product met India’s very stringent requirements for quality. IS 6529:1996 describes the chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances, and marking of stainless steel blooms, billets, and slabs. It confirms that these raw materials—the starting point for much of our fabrication work in heavy engineering, automotive, and industrial applications—are safe for use, and will perform to required standards.
Manufacturers without BIS Certification experience hardships: reduced access to markets, higher rejection rates, lack of brand agency. In contrast manufacturers that carry certification experience regulatory compliance, improved customer confidence, and capability to enter more lucrative markets.
In the highly competitive steel industry, the possession of BIS certification is more than a statutory requirement, it is a strategic asset that provides a guarantee of quality, traceability, and affirms the brand as reliable and trustworthy, in both domestic and international market sectors.
IS 6529:1996 is a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specification for stainless steel blooms, billets, and slabs. It outlines the required qualities, chemical composition and mechanical properties, dimensional requirements, and marking requirements for stainless steel materials utilized in heavy engineering and industrial applications.
This specification applies to blooms, billets, and slabs of stainless steel manufactured for further processing or use in structurally engineered applications.
This specification ensures the material reliability for defence, aerospace, automotive, construction while applying and for the industrial machine industry.
BIS Certification is mandatory for stainless steel blooms, billets, and slabs as these materials are widely used in critical construction, engineering, industrial, and infrastructural applications in which quality and safety are of utmost importance. As per the Quality Control Order (QCO) published by the Ministry of Steel, it is illegal to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, or import into India any one of these materials without BIS Certification.
Ensures Product Safety: Ensures compliance of the stainless steel in regard to the necessary mechanical and chemical characteristics, ensuring an adequate safety factor against structural failure or unsafe uses.
Protection of End Users: Protects against the use of inferior quality or counterfeit materials in defence, railway, automotive and heavy engineering sectors.
Regulation Compliance: Ensures that manufacturers follow national standards, and eliminates any liabilities under the BIS Act requirements.
Consistency of Product Quality Across the Manufacturer Base: All suppliers must meet the same requirements, thereby ensuring continuous performance and reliability.
Market Access: Many government tenders, as well as PSUs/OEMs, require the steel supplier be BIS Certified for procurement.
Traceability & Accountability: BIS Certification requires suitable marking and tracking identification of batches, thereby ensuring complete traceability.
| Importance | Benefits |
| Confirms that materials used in tool and die steels conform to the IS 3748:1990 Standard Quality Standards. | Lowers product rejection rates and establishes product consistency. |
| Essential for manufacturing, selling, or importing under the mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO). | Creates access to PSU, defence, and OEM supply chains where approval by BIS is required. |
| Protects end-users from unsafe, sub-standard, low-quality steel products. | Develops customer trust, loyalty, and increases brand value. |
| Ensures complete outgoing traceability from the melt stage to the finished product. | Reduces compliance risks during audits or inspections. |
| Assists Indian manufacturers in staying in-line with national regulatory and quality standards | Improves manufacturer competitiveness in both domestic and export market. |

| Category | Documents Required |
| Business Documents | Business license/registration, ISO certificate, organizational details |
| Manufacturer Details | Factory layout, process flow chart, machinery list, production details |
| Product Documents | Product specifications, component list, user manual, model details |
| Testing Documents | Test report from BIS-recognized lab, sample details, test request form |
| Legal & Compliance | Authorization letter, brand ownership proof, trademark certificate (if any) |
| Import/Foreign Manufacturer (If applicable) | AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) details, contract agreement, overseas manufacturer documents |
Timelines
The complete BIS certification procedure typically takes between 20 and 30 days.
Product testing at a BIS-accredited laboratory takes about 7 to 15 days, depending on complexity and availability of the sample.
Costs
Certification costs consist of government fees and testing fees. These vary based on the product type and the number of samples.
Additional fees may apply based on any actual factory inspections, how documentation is handled, or how quickly the needs are completed.
Validity
A BIS license is usually valid for 2 years from the date it was issued.
Renewal
Navigating the BIS Certification process for stainless steel blooms, billets, and slabs can be complicated because of different chemical, mechanical, and dimensional requirements. Diligence Certifications provides expert guidance and fully supportive services while ensuring manufacturers become complia
For a manufacturer, being BIS Certified for Stainless Steel Blooms, Billets & Slabs to IS 6529:1996 is critical because, in the end, it gives the assurances of quality, safety, and adherence to the legal environmental requirements. Certification provides assurances that your product is a quality product with the appropriate chemical, mechanical, and dimensional properties providing protection for the end user’s safety and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Above and beyond legal environmental compliance, BIS Certification offers manufacturers measurable advantages in the marketplace such as lower product rejection rates, increased customer confidence, and participation in higher value markets including government projects, PSUs, defence sector components, and global sourcing from offshore buyers/companies.
It is a mandatory approval ensuring stainless steel blooms meet IS 6529:1996 quality and safety standards.
Yes, it is compulsory under the Quality Control Order issued by the Ministry of Steel.
IS 6529:1996 specifies chemical, mechanical, and dimensional requirements.
It guarantees product safety, reliability, and compliance with Indian regulations.
Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of stainless steel blooms, billets, and slabs.
Chemical analysis, mechanical testing, and dimensional verification at BIS-approved labs.
Typically 20–30 days, depending on testing and document review.
Business license, factory details, product specs, test reports, and compliance documents.
The license is valid for 2 years and must be renewed before expiry.
Yes, but they must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).