BIS Certification Consultancy Services: Your Gateway to the Indian Market

What is BIS Certification?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s national standards body, operates under the BIS Act, 2016, succeeding the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) established in 1947. BIS sets Indian Standards (IS) to ensure product quality, safety, and reliability across various sectors. BIS certification confirms that a product complies with these standards, denoted by the ISI Mark for industrial and consumer goods or the CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) mark for electronics and IT products.

BIS certification is voluntary for many products, allowing manufacturers to demonstrate quality commitment. However, for specific products, it is mandatory under Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Government of India to protect consumer safety, environmental concerns, and fair trade practices. This certification is critical for market entry in India, ensuring compliance and building consumer trust.

The Importance of BIS Certification Consultancy Services

The BIS certification process is complex, involving technical documentation, product testing, factory audits, and strict adherence to Indian Standards. For manufacturers, especially those unfamiliar with Indian regulations or located overseas, this process can be challenging. BIS certification consultancy services provide expert guidance to simplify compliance, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective certification journey.

Key benefits of consultancy services include:

Regulatory Expertise: Consultants clarify applicable Indian Standards and QCOs, ensuring products meet mandatory requirements.
Accurate Documentation: They assist in preparing and submitting precise applications, minimizing errors and rejection risks.
Testing and Audit Coordination: Consultants manage product testing at BIS-approved labs and prepare manufacturers for factory inspections.
Time and Cost Efficiency: By avoiding common pitfalls, consultants reduce delays and additional expenses, such as re-testing or re-audits.
Support for Global Manufacturers: For foreign applicants, consultants serve as or connect with Authorized Indian Representatives (AIR), fulfilling BIS requirements.

Without professional support, manufacturers may face prolonged timelines, regulatory penalties, or market access barriers. Consultancy services are essential for efficient BIS certification.

BIS Certification Consultancy Services for Indian Manufacturers

Indian manufacturers benefit from consultancy services tailored to domestic production environments, guiding them through Scheme-I (ISI Mark Scheme) for industrial goods or Scheme-II (CRS) for electronics. These services ensure compliance with BIS standards and QCOs, enabling market access.

Consultancy services for Indian manufacturers offer:

Process Optimization: Consultants assess production facilities, quality control systems, and testing capabilities to align with BIS requirements.
Audit Preparation: They prepare manufacturers for BIS factory inspections, ensuring compliance with quality management and manufacturing standards.
Testing Support: Consultants coordinate with BIS-recognized labs to ensure test reports meet Indian Standard Specifications (ISS).
Simplified Procedure Utilization: For eligible products, consultants leverage BIS’s simplified procedure (Option 2), using valid test reports to expedite certification.

With consultancy support, Indian manufacturers can efficiently secure BIS certification, display the ISI Mark, and enhance product credibility in the domestic market.

What are Quality Control Orders (QCOs)?

Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are government mandates issued under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016, enforcing mandatory BIS certification for specific products. QCOs aim to ensure product safety, protect public health, safeguard the environment, and prevent unfair trade practices. Products under QCOs cannot be manufactured, imported, sold, or distributed in India without a valid BIS license or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) and the appropriate BIS Standard Mark (ISI or CRS).

QCOs are issued by ministries such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for electronics or the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for industrial goods. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, including fines starting at ₹2 lakh, imprisonment up to two years, product seizures, or market bans. Manufacturers must stay updated on QCOs, as the list of covered products is regularly expanded.

Who Needs BIS Certification in India?

BIS certification is required for:

Manufacturers: Indian and foreign manufacturers producing QCO-covered products must obtain BIS certification to legally operate in India.
Importers: Importers of mandatory products need BIS certification to ensure compliance before market entry.
Distributors and Retailers: While they do not apply for licenses, they must ensure products they sell bear the BIS Standard Mark if required by QCOs.

Voluntary BIS certification is also pursued by manufacturers of non-mandatory products to enhance market credibility and meet procurement requirements, as the ISI Mark signifies quality and reliability.

Which Products Require BIS Certification?

As of 2025, over 370 products are subject to mandatory BIS certification under QCOs, including:

Electronics and IT: Smartphones, laptops, power adapters, and LED lights (under CRS, Scheme-II).
Electrical Appliances: Cables, switches, electric irons, and water heaters.
Industrial Materials: Cement, steel, aluminum foils, and polyethylene products.
Consumer Goods: Toys, safety footwear, helmets, and pressure cookers.
Medical Devices: Syringes, catheters, and diagnostic equipment.
Food Products: Certain packaged foods and additives.
Miscellaneous: Safety glass, wheel rims, and woven ground covers.

Manufacturers should consult the BIS website or experts for the latest QCO list, as regulations frequently evolve.

Who Can Apply for BIS Certification?

Eligible applicants include:

Indian Manufacturers: Domestic producers with facilities in India can apply under Scheme-I (ISI Mark) or Scheme-II (CRS), depending on the product.
Foreign Manufacturers: Overseas producers apply through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), requiring an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
Importers: Importers of QCO-covered products can apply to ensure compliance before importation.

Applicants must maintain adequate manufacturing and testing facilities, comply with ISS, and pay required fees, including licensing and marking fees.

How MSCi Simplifies Your BIS Certification Journey?

MSCi, a premier BIS certification consultancy, offers comprehensive support to streamline the certification process. MSCi’s services include:

Standard Identification: MSCi identifies applicable Indian Standards and QCOs, ensuring compliance with current regulations.
Documentation Assistance: MSCi helps prepare and submit accurate applications, including Form V (Scheme-I) or Form II (CRS), and supporting documents.
Testing Coordination: MSCi collaborates with BIS-approved labs to conduct product testing, ensuring reports meet ISS and remain valid (up to 90 days for simplified procedures).
Audit Readiness: MSCi conducts pre-audits to prepare manufacturers for BIS factory inspections, addressing quality control or infrastructure gaps.
AIR Services: For foreign manufacturers, MSCi acts as or connects with an AIR, facilitating BIS communication and compliance.
Efficient Timelines: MSCi ensures certification within 60–90 days for domestic manufacturers (simplified procedure) or 5–6 months for foreign manufacturers (FMCS).
Ongoing Compliance: MSCi supports license renewals (valid for 2 years, renewable up to 5 years) and monitors regulatory updates.

MSCi’s expertise minimizes errors, reduces costs, and accelerates market entry.

How Can Manufacturers Get the ISI Mark?

The ISI Mark, a trusted quality symbol since 1955, is granted under Scheme-I of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018. The process includes:

Standard Identification: Determine the relevant Indian Standard (IS) using BIS resources or consultancy support.
Application Submission: Submit Form V online via the BIS portal, including documents like production process details, quality control plans, and testing equipment lists.
Factory Audit: BIS inspects the manufacturing facility to verify infrastructure, quality controls, and testing capabilities, often collecting samples.
Product Testing: Submit samples to BIS-approved labs. Test reports must comply with ISS and be valid (up to 90 days for Option 2).
Fee Payment: Pay application, audit, license, and marking fees. Foreign manufacturers must provide a $10,000 Performance Bank Guarantee.
License Issuance: Upon successful inspection and testing, BIS grants the license, allowing the use of the ISI Mark. The process takes 60–90 days for domestic manufacturers and 5–6 months for foreign manufacturers.

Consultants like MSCi streamline this process, ensuring compliance at every step.

List of Manufacturers That Can Apply for ISI Mark

Manufacturers eligible for the ISI Mark under Scheme-I include:

Indian Manufacturers: Domestic producers of cement, steel, electrical appliances, toys, helmets, and food products.
Foreign Manufacturers: Overseas producers of QCO-covered products, such as chemicals, medical devices, or consumer goods, applying through FMCS with an AIR.
ECO Mark Applicants: Manufacturers of eco-friendly products seeking the ECO Mark, combining the ISI Mark with an ECO logo.
Specialized Producers: Those manufacturing niche products like safety glass, wheel rims, or heating oil under QCOs.

Applicants must maintain in-house testing facilities, adhere to ISS, and implement robust quality control systems.

Why Choose MSCi?

MSCi is a top choice for BIS certification consultancy due to its:

Specialized Expertise: Extensive experience in guiding Indian and foreign manufacturers through Scheme-I and Scheme-II certifications.
Comprehensive Support: MSCi offers end-to-end services, from standard identification to post-certification compliance, ensuring a seamless process.
Tailored Solutions: MSCi customizes its approach to meet each manufacturer’s unique needs, whether small-scale or multinational.
Regulatory Vigilance: MSCi stays updated on QCOs and BIS regulations, keeping clients compliant with evolving standards.
Proven Track Record: MSCi’s history of successful certifications and client satisfaction ensures reliability and efficiency.

Choosing MSCi enables manufacturers to achieve BIS certification quickly, ensuring compliance and market success.

Conclusion

BIS certification is a critical requirement for manufacturers targeting the Indian market, particularly for products under QCOs. The ISI Mark and CRS Mark signify quality, safety, and compliance, fostering consumer trust and enabling market access. The certification process, however, can be complex and time-consuming. MSCi’s consultancy services simplify this journey, offering expert guidance, documentation support, testing coordination, and audit preparation. By partnering with MSCi, Charlotte, NC 28207 704-332-2111 Manufacturers can secure BIS certification efficiently, display trusted quality marks, and thrive in India’s competitive market.