BIS ISI Certification for Domestic Manufacturers in India: A Complete Guide

Introduction

For domestic manufacturers in India, maintaining product quality and meeting regulatory requirements is important before selling the products in the market. BIS ISI Mark Certification is one of the mandatory requirements before the products can be sold or distributed in India.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body. It develops and publishes Indian Standards and operates certification schemes to ensure that products meet specified quality, safety, and performance requirements. The ISI Mark is one of the most recognized product conformity symbols in India. Domestic manufacturers with the notified products need to obtain the relevant BIS licence before using the ISI Mark on them.

In this blog, we will explain the BIS ISI Mark Certification process for domestic manufacturers, documents required, benefits, costs, and other important points.

Understanding BIS ISI Certification

BIS ISI Certification is a mandatory product certification under which BIS verifies whether a product included in the BIS applicable product list conforms to the prescribed Indian Standard. Once the manufacturer meets the required conditions and receives the BIS licence, they can use the ISI Mark on the notified product according to BIS requirements for sale in India.

The ISI Mark indicates that the product has been assessed against the applicable Indian Standard. It helps customers identify products that comply with specified quality and safety requirements. 

Who can apply for BIS ISI Mark Certification?

All manufacturers (Indian and Foreign) manufacturing a notified product covered under the applicable BIS product list can generally apply for the relevant BIS licence. They are required to obtain the BIS ISI mark certificate before the sale, export, and import of notified products in the Indian market. The exact requirements can vary depending on the product and its applicable Indian Standard.

Note: Indian Importers and Traders cannot apply directly for the certification. They can request a copy of the license from the actual manufacturer for the import and sale of the notified products in the Indian market.

Difference between BIS and BIS ISI Mark?

Here is the difference between BIS and BIS ISI Mark Certification for the domestic manufacturers who want to understand it before getting the BIS ISI license:

Also Read 

• What is ISI Mark Certification? All You Need to Know
• BIS FMCS Certification: Know Eligibility, Documents & Process

List of products covered under BIS ISI Mark

The following are the notified products covered under the mandatory BIS product list that need a mandatory BIS ISI Mark:

• Direct Cool Refrigerators
• Domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG) Stoves
• Hand Tools
• Solar water Heater
• Deep Freezers
• Hydrophobic Portland Cement
• Electric Immersion Water Heaters (Safety of household )
• Room Heaters
• Circuit Breakers for Overcurrent Protection
• Multipurpose Dry Batteries
• Digital Thermometers
• Stainless Steel Bars and Flats
• And more

Why is BIS ISI Certification Important for Domestic Manufacturers?

BIS ISI Certification offers several advantages to domestic manufacturers. Here are some of them:

1. Obtaining the BIS ISI licence helps the domestic manufacturer to comply with the applicable safety and quality requirements.
2. The ISI Mark is widely recognized by Indian consumers. It can help communicate that the product conforms to the relevant Indian Standard.
3. ISI-Certified products have better acceptance among distributors, institutional buyers, retailers, and customers where BIS compliance is required.
4. The BIS ISI certification process requires manufacturers to maintain suitable manufacturing and quality control systems. This can support consistency in product quality.
5. BIS certification provides opportunities for participating in certain tenders, supplying products to specific organisations, or entering markets where compliance is a condition.

Documents required for BIS ISI Certification

Here are the documents that the domestic manufacturers should prepare in advance to get the ISI mark certification in India:

• 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 ( View / Download )
• ISI Application Fee ( View / Download )
• Appointment of AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) in case you are a foreign manufacturer

Note: You can appoint Brand Liaison as your AIR

BIS ISI Mark Certification Process for Domestic Manufacturers

The following is the step-by-step procedure to get the BIS ISI mark for domestic manufacturers to sell the notified products in the Indian market:

• Document Preparation
  The applicant should prepare the documents in accordance with the prescribed checklist.
• Application Submission
  The applicant needs to submit the application to the BIS authorities to initiate the certification process.
• Factory Inspections by BIS Officials
  The BIS officials will conduct factory inspections to review the manufacturing processes and quality assurance as per BIS standards.
• Testing of the Product
  The product sample will be tested in BIS-accredited laboratories, as per relevant standards. The product sample will be decided (chosen) by a BIS officer during the inspection.
• Approval of BIS ISI Certification
  After verifying the details, credibility, and audit report, the BIS ISI certification will be granted to the applicant.

Sample of a Grant licence for ISI Mark

Common Mistakes Manufacturers Should Avoid

Manufacturers often face delays because of avoidable mistakes. Some common issues include:

• Selecting the Wrong Indian Standard
• Incomplete Documentation
• Inadequate Product Testing Facilities
• Lack of Factory Preparation
• Incorrect Marking

What is the cost of BIS ISI Certification in India?

Here is the BIS ISI Certification Cost structure in India that domestic manufacturers should understand before paying the BIS fees:

How Long Does BIS ISI Certification Take?

The timeline for BIS certification is not the same for every product. It depends on the applicable Indian Standard, completeness of documents, testing requirements, factory inspection, sample testing, and the time required to address any queries or non-conformities.

For domestic manufacturers, it approximately takes 20 working days for the simplified procedure (if applicable) and approximately 40 working days for the normal procedure.

Why Choose Brand Liaison for BIS ISI Certification?

Brand Liaison, the top BIS ISI certification consultancy firm that supports domestic manufacturers throughout the BIS certification journey. From understanding the applicable requirements to documentation, our team helps manufacturers navigate the process in a structured manner, such as:

• Product Eligibility Assessment
• Documents preparation
• Application submission assistance
• Technical support
• Practical knowledge of BIS rules
• Post-compliance support
• Regular industry updates

For manufacturers planning to introduce a new product or regularize an existing product under mandatory BIS requirements, understanding the certification requirement at an early stage can help avoid regulatory and business complications.

Conclusion

BIS ISI Mark Certification for domestic manufacturers plays an important role in ensuring that notified products meet applicable Indian quality and safety standards before being sold in the Indian market. 

Brand Liaison, a trusted BIS ISI Certification Consultant in Delhi, has assisted 500+ domestic and overseas manufacturers for a decade. With 11+ years of experience, we help manufacturers to smoothly enter the Indian market for sales and imports. 

Along with BIS ISI mark certification, we provide expert assistance for other certifications, such as BIS CRS, BIS Scheme X, BEE, TEC, LMPC, WPC ETA, and EPR Registration. Contact Brand Liaison today for a simple and easy certification journey.