For companies exporting products to India, compliance with Indian quality and safety requirements is not optional—it is a legal obligation. One of the most important regulatory approvals is the BIS Certification, issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Whether your product is manufactured in India or abroad, certain product categories cannot be imported, sold, or distributed without the correct certification. This is where the BIS Import Certificate becomes essential.
This article offers a clear explanation of what BIS Certification is, why the BIS Import Certificate matters, and how businesses—especially foreign manufacturers—can meet the required standards.
What Is BIS? Understanding the Basics
To begin, it’s important to answer the question: What is BIS?
The BIS Full Form is Bureau of Indian Standards. It is India’s national authority responsible for standardization, quality certification, and consumer safety.
BIS creates and maintains thousands of BIS Standards (also known as Indian Standards or IS codes) for various categories like electrical appliances, industrial goods, construction materials, chemicals, and consumer products. These standards ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of products sold in the Indian market.
Products approved by BIS carry the official BIS Logo or BIS Mark, commonly recognized as the ISI Mark. This mark serves as proof that the product complies with Indian requirements.
What Is BIS Certification?
BIS Certification is a formal approval that signifies a product meets the relevant Indian Standard and has passed all required tests. Certification is mandatory for many critical and safety-related products. Whether imported or locally produced, these items cannot legally be sold in India without a BIS License.
BIS Certification may fall under one of two schemes:
ISI Mark Scheme (Scheme-I) — mostly for industrial, mechanical, and safety-critical products.
Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) — mainly for electronics; this requires BIS Registration instead of a license.
For imported non-electronic, industrial, or safety-regulated products, the required approval is typically the BIS Import Certificate, obtained through a BIS License.
Understanding the BIS Import Certificate
A BIS Import Certificate is the authorization issued by BIS that allows a company to import and sell regulated goods in India. Without this certificate, products may be detained at ports or even prohibited from entering the country.
The Import Certificate serves three main functions:
Legal clearance for imports
Customs authorities require the BIS Mark or BIS License for products listed under mandatory standards.Assurance of safety and quality
The certificate confirms that the product adheres to approved BIS Standards.Market acceptance
Indian distributors and retailers prefer or require BIS-certified products to avoid legal and quality risks.
BIS Certification for Import: Why It Is Mandatory
The Indian government has identified several product categories that pose potential safety or quality risks. For such goods, obtaining BIS Certification for Import is compulsory.
These categories often include:
Steel and metal products
Cement and construction materials
Electrical equipment (non-CRS categories)
Pressure cookers
Industrial goods
Chemical products
Safety-related components
If these products do not carry the BIS Mark or BIS Logo, customs authorities can block the shipment, leading to delays, penalties, and financial losses.
FMCS: BIS License for Foreign Manufacturers
Foreign manufacturers must usually follow the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) to obtain a BIS License. FMCS includes:
Submission of the BIS Application
Testing of product samples in BIS-recognized laboratories
A factory inspection conducted by BIS officers at the overseas manufacturing site
Verification of production, quality control systems, and testing equipment
Approval and grant of the BIS License
The FMCS process results in a Bureau of Indian Standards License that legally authorizes the use of the ISI Mark on products exported to India.
BIS Certification vs. BIS Registration
Many importers confuse these two terms. The key difference is:
BIS Certification/BIS License: Required for non-electronic, industrial, mechanical, and safety-related items. It involves factory audits and strict quality checks.
BIS Registration: Required mainly for electronics under CRS. No factory audit is needed, but testing in a BIS-approved lab is mandatory.
The BIS Import Certificate typically refers to the license granted under the ISI Mark scheme, not CRS registration.
BIS Certificate Online: A Modern Approach to Compliance
The BIS portal offers the ability to initiate the BIS Certificate Online application. Manufacturers can:
Submit forms
Upload technical documents
Track application progress
Communicate with BIS officers
Although part of the process can be done online, physical steps like sample testing and factory inspections remain compulsory.
Steps to Obtain a BIS Import Certificate
Here is a simplified overview of the BIS Certification process for importers:
1. Determine Applicability
Identify whether your product falls under mandatory BIS Standards.
2. Submit the BIS Application
Include manufacturing details, test reports, technical documents, and product specifications.
3. Product Testing
Samples are tested in BIS-approved labs to verify compliance.
4. Factory Audit (FMCS)
BIS officials inspect the foreign manufacturing facility.
5. Grant of BIS License
If all requirements are met, BIS issues the license and permits the use of the ISI Mark.
6. Ongoing Compliance
Manufacturers must continue testing, maintain quality systems, and follow BIS rules to retain the license.
Conclusion
The BIS Certification and the BIS Import Certificate play an essential role in ensuring that products entering India meet the required quality and safety benchmarks. Whether you are a domestic importer or a foreign manufacturer, obtaining a BIS License through the proper process is crucial to avoid delays, legal issues, and non-compliance penalties.
By understanding BIS Standards, using the BIS Mark correctly, and navigating the certification process responsibly, businesses can secure smooth market entry and long-term success in India.
