BIS Certification for Furniture in India: Complete Guide

Introduction

Furniture is an important part of homes, offices, hotels, educational institutions, as well as commercial spaces. With increasing demand for reliable and durable furniture, the Government of India has introduced mandatory quality requirements for specific furniture products.

BIS certification is mandatory for the furniture products that have been notified under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025. These products must conform to their applicable Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I. The QCO covers six categories: work chairs, general purpose chairs and stools, tables and desks, storage units, beds and bunk beds.

This guide explains BIS certification for furniture in India, applicable standards, QCO requirements, 2026 updates, testing, documents, certification process and requirements for manufacturers as well as importers.

Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Furniture in India?

Yes, for furniture products that have been notified under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, a BIS certification is mandatory. The QCO generally requires the specified furniture products to conform to their corresponding Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I. However, this does not mean that every type of furniture available in India automatically requires BIS certification. Therefore, businesses should first identify the exact furniture product and determine whether it falls within the notified scope of the recent BIS update.

What is the Furniture Quality Control Order, 2025?

The BIS Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 was issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on 13 February 2025. The order mainly requires the specified furniture products to conform to the applicable Indian Standards and carry the BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

The original QCO was scheduled to come into force after twelve months from its publication, making its implementation date 13 February 2026. The order also contained provisions concerning exports as well as certain MSME categories. Businesses should therefore consider the original BIS QCO on Furniture together with the subsequent amendments as well as various transition provisions.

Which Furniture Products Require BIS Certification?

The Furniture QCO covers six specific furniture categories as mentioned below:

The QCO also specifies that the latest version of the relevant Indian Standard, including amendments notified by BIS from time to time, is also applicable. You can check your product’s eligibility for a BIS certification with Brand Liaison’s free CYE tool, and ensure readiness for the Indian market.

Indian Standards Applicable to Furniture Products

The applicable Indian Standard mainly depends on the type of furniture being manufactured or imported in the Indian market:

IS 17631:2022 - Work Chairs

This standard generally applies to the specified category of work chairs and establishes applicable requirements for their performance as well as construction.

IS 17632:2022 - General Purpose Chairs and Stools

This standard covers general purpose chairs and stools and provides requirements for relevant dimensions, strength, stability, durability and various other performance characteristics.

IS 17633:2022 - Tables and Desks

Tables and desks that have been notified under the QCO need to conform to IS 17633:2022 and the applicable BIS certification requirements.

IS 17634:2022 - Storage Units

Storage units are covered under IS 17634:2022, with applicable requirements concerning their construction as well as long-term performance.

IS 17635:2022 - Beds

Beds that have been notified by the QCO need to comply with IS 17635:2022.

IS 17636:2022 - Bunk Beds

Bunk beds notified under the QCO are subject to IS 17636:2022 and the relevant BIS conformity requirements.

Manufacturers should always verify the latest standard, amendments, and applicable product manual before preparing an application.

Who Needs BIS Certification for Furniture?

The requirement for a BIS certification for furniture is relevant to businesses that are involved in manufacturing or supplying notified products in the Indian market. Here are the business entities that need a BIS license in India: 

Indian Manufacturers

An Indian manufacturer who is producing furniture that has been notified by the QCO must obtain the applicable BIS licence and comply with the relevant Indian Standard before using the BIS Standard Mark.

Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers who are exporting the notified furniture products to India need to check the applicable BIS certification scheme. Depending on the product and manufacturing location, the BIS certificate under the Foreign Manufacturer’s Certification Scheme will be granted.

Importers

Importers cannot get a BIS license, and they may request the manufacturer for a copy of the same. Moreover, they should verify BIS compliance before ordering or shipping the notified furniture into India. Importing a product from an overseas manufacturer does not, by itself, establish compliance with India's mandatory certification requirements. Similarly, if a product has a foreign compliance report, it cannot replace the BIS certification requirements. 

What Are the 2026 Updates to the Furniture QCO?

The Furniture QCO has undergone several important changes during 2026. These updates are particularly relevant for manufacturers, importers, as well as businesses that are dealing with existing inventory or specialised imports.

February 2026 Amendment

• The Furniture (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026, dated 12 February 2026, introduced several additional provisions to the Furniture QCO.
• One important provision permits certain imports of up to 200 units per financial year for research and development purposes by a BIS-certified furniture manufacturer or a manufacturer that has applied for certification.
• Such goods cannot be commercially sold and must be disposed of as scrap, with year-wise records maintained as well as furnished to the Central Government.
• The amendment also provides a specific exemption for certain non-BIS-marked materials, components or sub-assemblies that are imported by Indian furniture manufacturers for furniture intended for export, subject to declaration, record-keeping as well as restrictions on domestic use or sale.

MSME Provision

• The February 2026 amendment framework also introduced changes regarding MSMEs that have been registered on the Udyam Portal.
• The applicable exemption is linked to specified investment as well as turnover thresholds and should be checked against the current notification and the manufacturer's actual status.

March 2026 Second Amendment

• The Furniture (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2026, dated 2 March 2026, introduced transitional provisions for certain imports that are connected with pre-existing purchase orders as well as specified shipping and import documentation.
• For eligible consignments, the provisions refer to purchase orders that have been issued before the relevant implementation date and Bills of Lading and Bills of Entry falling within the specified 180-day period.
• Importers are also required to provide supporting documents to BIS within the prescribed period after clearance.

Staying updated with the latest revisions and regulatory requirements is of utmost importance to ensure compliance in the Indian market. Brand Liaison, the best BIS ISI certification consultant in Delhi, India, helps businesses with regular compliance updates to stay informed and make strategic decisions.

What are the BIS Certification Requirements for Furniture?

For notified furniture products, BIS ISI certification requires the product to demonstrate conformity with the applicable Indian Standard and meet the specific regulatory conditions. Depending on the product, manufacturers may need to establish the following:

• Compliance with applicable dimensions
• Structural strength
• Stability
• Durability
• Load-bearing performance
• Material and construction requirements
• Surface or finish requirements
• Safety-related performance
• Required manufacturing controls
• Product-specific testing arrangements

The exact requirements generally depend on the applicable Indian Standard and BIS product manual. The important point is that BIS certification is product-specific. A manufacturer should not assume that certification of one furniture category automatically covers another.

What is the BIS Certification Process for Furniture? 

The BIS certification process generally involves the steps to be followed by manufacturers:

Step 1: Identify the Product Category

Determine whether the furniture is one of the products that have been notified by the BIS Furniture QCO.

Step 2: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

Identify the product to the correct standard, such as IS 17631:2022 for work chairs or IS 17635:2022 for beds.

Step 3: Review Product Specifications

Prepare technical specifications, drawings, materials, construction details, as well as product variants to ensure readiness for BIS application.

Step 4: Arrange Product Testing

Samples of the notified products are tested according to the requirements of the applicable Indian Standard and BIS certification procedure.

Step 5: Submit the BIS Application

The manufacturer submits the application and required documents through the applicable BIS certification process.

Step 6: Factory Evaluation

BIS may evaluate manufacturing facilities, production controls, testing arrangements, and quality-control systems.

Step 7: Grant of BIS Licence

After satisfactory completion of the applicable requirements, BIS grants the licence and permits the manufacturer to use the Standard Mark in accordance with the licence conditions.

Note: In case of a foreign manufacturer, an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) must be appointed to proceed with the BIS application and get the ISI mark certificate under the BIS FMCS Scheme.

What are the Documents Required for Furniture BIS Certification?

The exact documents required for BIS certification for furniture depend on the product, manufacturer, and certification process. However, common documents may include:

• Legal address proofs of the factories
• Product specification
• Details of raw material, machinery, and testing equipments
• Details of QC Staff and other basic details of the factory
• Lab test reports of the product
• Main Application Form V
• ISI Application Fee
• Appointment of AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) in case you are a foreign manufacturer

Common BIS Compliance Challenges for Furniture Businesses

Furniture manufacturers as well as importers can face compliance issues when BIS requirements are considered only after production or shipment planning has already begun. Common challenges that businesses face often include:

• Selecting the wrong Indian Standard
• Confusing ISI Mark vs ISO Certification
• Assuming all furniture products require the same certification
• Ignoring product variants
• Incomplete technical documentation
• Testing samples that do not represent production models
• Insufficient testing arrangements
• Incorrect product classification
• Using the BIS Standard Mark before obtaining the licence
• Failing to maintain records that aren't required under an exemption

Why Furniture Manufacturers Should Plan BIS Compliance Early?

BIS certification can surely affect product design, testing, manufacturing controls, packaging, marking, and market-entry planning. Starting early with BIS compliance helps businesses determine:

• Whether the product is covered by the QCO?
• Which Indian Standard applies?
• What testing is required?
• Whether the factory has the required facilities?
• Which documents need to be prepared?
• Is any exemption applicable?
• Whether an import transition provision can be used?
• What is the likely certification timeline?

This is especially important for importers because BIS compliance should be checked before shipment, not after goods arrive in India. Moreover, taking expert assistance from the top BIS ISI certification consultant in India can also help in easing compliance management in India.

Why Choose Brand Liaison for Expert BIS Certification Assistance in India?

Brand Liaison helps furniture manufacturers, importers, and businesses understand and obtain BIS certification for products that have been notified by the BIS regulations. We assist with BIS applicability, Indian Standard identification, documentation, product testing, application filing and certification procedures. With 10+ years of experience in Indian product compliance, Brand Liaison provides practical support to help businesses meet BIS requirements and prepare their furniture products for the Indian market. Here is why businesses prefer working with us:

• Expert consultancy
• Comprehensive compliance planning support
• AIR assistance
• Technical support
• Documentation preparation help
• Affordable certification solutions
• Dedicated compliance guidebooks
• Free eligibility check
• Post-certification assistance

We help businesses easily manage Indian market compliances and assist them even after the grant of approvals. Connect with Brand Liaison today to ensure hassle-free compliance for the Indian market. 

Conclusion

BIS certification has surely become an important compliance requirement for specified furniture products supplied in India. Under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, work chairs, general purpose chairs and stools, tables and desks, storage units, beds and bunk beds are required to conform to their respective Indian Standards and meet the applicable BIS certification requirements. With proper planning and product-specific compliance support, businesses can reduce testing delays, documentation issues, and regulatory risks while preparing their furniture products for the Indian market. Connect with Brand Liaison and get professional assistance for product certifications in India.