What is BIS & ISI Mark Certification? Complete Guide

Introduction

Maintaining product quality and safety is important for both manufacturers and consumers in India. To make sure that products meet the required quality and safety standards, the Government of India has introduced different certification and compliance systems. One of the most important certifications is the BIS ISI Mark Certification.

The BIS ISI Mark Certification indicates that a product has been checked against the applicable Indian Standard under the relevant BIS certification scheme before being sold or imported in the Indian market. For manufacturers, importers, and online sellers that are planning to sell the notified products in India, understanding BIS and ISI Mark certification is essential. 

In this guide, Brand Liaison explains what BIS is, what the ISI Mark means, which products may require certification, the certification process, documents, benefits, and other important details.

Understanding BIS

BIS stands for Bureau of Indian Standards. It is India's national standards body that works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

BIS is responsible for developing and maintaining standards for a wide range of products. These standards help ensure that products meet defined requirements related to quality, safety, performance, and reliability.

BIS also operates product certification schemes under which manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with applicable Indian Standards. Therefore, whether a product needs BIS certification depends on the product category, applicable Indian Standard, and current regulatory requirements.

What is ISI Mark Certification?

The ISI Mark is a certification mark used for notified products listed under the BIS product certification scheme based on the applicable Indian Standard. It is issued by BIS for selling and importing the notified products in the Indian market

If a product carries a valid ISI Mark, it generally ensures that the product meets the BIS certification requirements and conforms to the relevant Indian Standard. The ISI Mark is commonly seen on products such as electrical appliances, cement, steel products, pressure cookers, cables, switches, construction materials, and many other notified products.

What is the Difference Between BIS and ISI Mark?

BIS and ISI are closely connected, but they are not the same thing. Here is the difference between the two terms:

Why is BIS ISI Mark Certification Important?

BIS ISI Mark certification is responsible for maintaining product quality and safety in the Indian market. Setting minimum requirements helps reduce the possibility of unsafe or poor-quality products entering the market.

Here is the importance of ISI Mark:

• Ensures product safety and quality
• Supports legal compliance
• Builds market opportunities
• Improves market acceptance
• Reduces compliance risks

For businesses, ISI mark certification provides a structured way to ensure that their products comply with the applicable Indian Standard.

Who Needs BIS ISI Mark Certification?

BIS ISI Mark Certification is a mandatory requirement for manufacturers, importers, and online sellers who deal in the notified products in India.

1. Indian Manufacturers

BIS ISI Mark is compulsory for Indian manufacturers to sell the notified products covered under the mandatory BIS product list in the Indian market.

2. Foreign Manufacturers

BIS Certification is mandatory for Foreign manufacturers for exporting the notified products to India. Depending on the applicable scheme, additional requirements apply to foreign manufacturers.

3. Indian Importers

Importers importing the notified products into India should verify whether the product is covered under a mandatory BIS requirement before importing and selling it.

4. Brand Owners or Startups

Businesses planning to introduce a new notified product in the Indian market should check the applicable Indian Standard and QCO requirements at the planning stage itself.

Note: Importers and traders cannot apply directly for BIS ISI Certification. However, they can request a copy of the BIS ISI license from actual manufacturers to ensure legal compliance for the Indian market. 

Products covered under the Mandatory ISI Mark Product List

The notified products that fall under the applicable BIS product list include:

• Cement and construction materials
• Electrical appliances
• Electrical cables and wires
• Steel and metal products
• Pressure cookers
• Switches and electrical accessories
• Automotive components
• Household products
• Protective equipment
• Certain chemicals and materials
• Water-related products
• Various engineering products

The exact requirement should always be checked with expert guidance from a BIS Certification consultant in Delhi to choose the right applicable Indian Standard and ensure a smooth certification journey

A product may also have more than one relevant requirement depending on its specifications, intended use, and classification.

Basic Requirements for BIS ISI Certification

A manufacturer must meet the basic requirements of the applicable Indian Standard to get ISI Mark Certification. The exact requirements may differ depending on the product, but some basic requirements generally include:

• Manufacturing Unit: The manufacturer should have a suitable manufacturing unit with proper production arrangements.
• Testing Facilities: The manufacturing unit must have the required testing facilities for in-house testing as specified for the product.
• Quality Control Measures: The manufacturer should have proper quality control measures and inspection procedures to maintain consistent product quality.
• Product Testing: Product samples may need to be tested according to the applicable Indian Standard.
• Required Documents: The manufacturer must provide documents such as company details, factory information, product specifications, manufacturing process details, and testing records.

What are the documents required for BIS ISI Mark Certification?

The list of documents required depends on the certification scheme. However, commonly required documents include:

• Legal address proofs of the factories
• Product specification
• Details of raw material, machinery, and testing equipment
• 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

Applicants should prepare correct documents carefully because incomplete or inconsistent information can delay or reject the certification process.

Procedure for Getting ISI Mark in India

The BIS certification process varies for domestic and foreign manufacturers. Here is a common process that they can follow to get the ISI mark approval:

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

The first step is to determine the applicable Indian Standard for the notified product. It requires checking the product's specifications, technical characteristics, and applicable regulations.

Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents

The applicant should prepare the documents as per the prescribed checklist. For foreign manufacturers, an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) must be appointed to proceed with the application. 

Step 3: Submit the Application

After preparing the required documents, the applicants have to submit the application to BIS authorities to start the registration process. BIS reviews the application and supporting documents.

Step 4: Factory Inspection by BIS Officials

BIS officials inspect the manufacturing facility. During the inspection, areas such as production facilities, quality control arrangements, testing capabilities, raw materials, manufacturing processes, and product samples may be reviewed.

Step 3: Testing of the product

The sample product is tested according to the applicable Indian Standard. Depending on the certification requirements, testing is done in a BIS-recognized or otherwise permitted laboratory. 

Step 8: Evaluation by BIS

BIS reviews the application, test results, and other relevant information. If there is incorrect or wrong information, the applicant may need to provide clarification or take corrective action.

Step 9: Grant of BIS License

If the applicable BIS requirements are fulfilled, BIS grants the BIS ISI Mark certification to the applicant. They can then use the ISI Mark on the certified product according to the applicable marking requirements and license conditions.

What are the benefits of BIS ISI Mark Registration?

BIS ISI Mark Registration ensures that certified products are safe to use in India. It is one of the main benefits of getting certified. The following are some more benefits that you must know about the BIS ISI Certification:

Eliminates the Risk of Accident

The ISI Mark helps users to identify safe products that have been certified under the applicable BIS requirements. It eliminates the risk of accidents and harm to the users.

Ensures Safety and Quality

BIS ISI Mark encourages manufacturers and importers to maintain consistent product quality and follow the applicable Indian Standard to ensure safety.

Meeting Mandatory Legal Requirements

For the notified products covered under the mandatory BIS applicable product list, BIS certification helps businesses meet the applicable legal requirements for safety and quality to sell them in the Indian market.

Improves Market Acceptance

The certified products have better acceptance among customers, distributors, institutions, and business buyers. It increases sales and market opportunities for the manufacturers and importers in India.

Reduces Legal Compliance Risks

If there is compliance with the applicable certification requirements, businesses can reduce the risk of legal problems related to selling products without the required certification.

What happens if the notified products are sold without BIS Certification in India?

Non-compliance with BIS requirements can result in legal action, depending on the applicable law and order. Manufacturers and importers may face the following issues related to manufacturing, importing, and selling the uncertified product.

For Foreign Manufacturers

• No customs clearance
• Financial losses
• Loss of market opportunities
• Product seizures

For Indian Manufacturers

• Imprisonment up to 2 years
• Fines up to ₹2,00,000 for first offences and ₹5,00,000 for repeat offences (extendable to 10 times the value of goods)
• Seizure of goods
• Business disruptions 

It is therefore important to check BIS requirements before launching or importing a regulated product.

What is the cost of BIS ISI Certification?

The following is the breakdown of BIS ISI certification cost for both Indian and Foreign Manufacturers:

How long is a BIS ISI Mark valid?

The validity of a BIS license is 1 year and depends on the applicable certification scheme and current BIS requirements.

There is a need to renew the BIS license within the prescribed period, and the business must continue meeting the applicable requirements throughout the certification period.

However, it is important to remember that the certification is not a one-time activity. You need to maintain product quality, testing, records, and compliance with BIS requirements after certification approval as well.

How can Brand Liaison help with BIS ISI Mark Registration?

Managing BIS certification requirements is not simple for manufacturers and importers. They need to understand the requirements thoroughly before applying for the certification. Brand Liaison, as the trusted BIS ISI Mark consultant in India, supports businesses with: 

• Identifying the applicable Indian Standard
• Checking the eligibility for the BIS ISI Mark for the Indian market
• Preparing correct documents
• Coordinating with BIS authorities for product testing
• Submitting the applications
• Responding to compliance-related requirements
• Post-compliance support 

Our expert team also provides support related to certification validity renewals and other ongoing BIS compliance requirements.

With our guidance, you can better know the certification process and avoid common documentation and compliance issues.

Conclusion

In India, BIS and ISI Mark certification are important parts of the product quality and safety framework. For businesses, understanding whether their product requires mandatory certification is an important first step.

If their product falls under the mandatory BIS applicable product list, completing the certification process before entering the Indian market helps ensure legal compliance

With proper planning and professional guidance from Brand Liaison, manufacturers and importers can understand their BIS requirements more clearly and manage the certification process more efficiently.