BIS Certification Consultancy Services: Your Bridge to Compliance and Market Success in India

What is BIS Certification?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s national standards body, was established under the BIS Act, 2016, succeeding the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) founded in 1947. BIS develops and enforces Indian Standards (IS) to ensure products meet stringent criteria for quality, safety, and reliability across industries such as electronics, consumer goods, automotive, and medical devices. BIS certification verifies compliance with these standards, marked by the ISI Mark for industrial and consumer goods or the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) mark for electronics and IT products.

BIS certification is voluntary for many products, allowing manufacturers to demonstrate quality commitment and gain a competitive edge. However, for over 380 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. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, including fines starting at ₹2 lakh, imprisonment up to two years, product seizures, or market bans, making BIS certification essential for legal operations in India.

Why BIS Certification Consultancy Services Are Essential

The BIS certification process involves multiple steps: identifying applicable standards, preparing detailed documentation, coordinating product testing at BIS-approved laboratories, and undergoing factory audits. For manufacturers—particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups, or foreign entities unfamiliar with Indian regulations—this process can be challenging. BIS certification consultancy services, such as those offered by MSCi, simplify compliance by providing specialized expertise and tailored solutions. Key benefits include:

• Regulatory Expertise: Consultants identify relevant Indian Standards and QCOs, ensuring products meet mandatory requirements.

• Accurate Documentation: They prepare and submit precise applications, minimizing errors that could lead to rejections or delays.

• Testing Coordination: Consultants manage product testing at BIS-recognized labs, ensuring test reports comply with Indian Standard Specifications (ISS).

• Audit Preparation: They guide manufacturers through BIS factory inspections, addressing gaps in quality control or infrastructure.

• Time and Cost Efficiency: By avoiding errors like incomplete documentation or non-compliant testing, consultants reduce delays and additional expenses.

• Global Support: For foreign manufacturers, consultants act as or connect with Authorized Indian Representatives (AIR) under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).

BIS Certification Consultancy for Indian Manufacturers

Indian manufacturers, from small-scale enterprises to large corporations, face unique challenges in navigating BIS certification. Consultancy services tailored for domestic producers streamline compliance with Scheme-I (ISI Mark) for industrial goods or Scheme-II (CRS) for electronics, ensuring seamless market access. MSCi’s services for Indian manufacturers include:

• Process Optimization: Assessing production facilities, quality control systems, and testing capabilities to align with BIS standards.

• Simplified Procedures: Leveraging BIS’s simplified procedure (Option 2) for eligible products, using valid test reports to expedite licensing within 60–90 days.

• Tatkal Scheme Support: Facilitating the Tatkal Scheme for urgent certifications, ensuring faster processing (within 30 days) for mandatory products.

• Audit Readiness: Preparing manufacturers for BIS factory inspections, ensuring compliance with quality management and manufacturing standards.

• Testing Support: Coordinating with BIS-approved labs to produce ISS-compliant test reports, minimizing re-testing risks.

What Are Quality Control Orders (QCOs)?

Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are government mandates issued under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016, requiring mandatory BIS certification for specific products. QCOs aim to protect public health, ensure consumer safety, 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 result in severe consequences, including fines, imprisonment, product seizures, or market bans. As the QCO list evolves, manufacturers must stay informed to ensure compliance, often with the help of expert consultants like MSCi.

Who Needs BIS Certification in India?

BIS certification is mandatory for:

• Manufacturers: Indian and foreign producers of QCO-covered products, such as electronics, toys, or medical devices, must obtain BIS certification to operate legally.

• Importers: Those importing 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 bear the BIS Standard Mark if required by QCOs.

• Jewelers: Those dealing in gold or silver jewelry must comply with BIS hallmarking schemes.

Which Products Require BIS Certification?

As of 2025, over 380 products require mandatory BIS certification under QCOs, including:

• Electronics and IT: Smartphones, laptops, power banks, LED lights, and adapters (CRS, Scheme-II).

• Electrical Appliances: Cables, switches, electric irons, water heaters, and domestic gas stoves.

• Industrial Materials: Cement, steel, aluminum foils, polyethylene products, and chemicals.

• Consumer Goods: Toys, helmets, pressure cookers, safety footwear, and woven ground covers.

• Medical Devices: Syringes, catheters, diagnostic equipment, and orthopedic implants.

• Jewelry: Gold and silver jewelry under hallmarking schemes.

• Automotive Components: Wheel rims, safety glass, and two-wheeler helmets.

Manufacturers must consult the BIS website or expert consultants like MSCi to stay updated on the evolving QCO list, as new products are frequently added to ensure market compliance.

Who Can Apply for BIS Certification?

Eligible applicants for BIS certification include:

• Indian Manufacturers: Domestic producers with facilities in India, applying under Scheme-I (ISI Mark) or Scheme-II (CRS).

• Foreign Manufacturers: Overseas producers under the FMCS, requiring an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).

• Importers: Those importing QCO-covered products to ensure compliance before market entry.

• Jewelers: For hallmarking of gold and silver jewelry.

Conclusion

BIS certification is a critical requirement for manufacturers and importers targeting India’s competitive market, ensuring quality, safety, and compliance with QCOs. The ISI Mark and CRS Mark enhance consumer trust and enable legal market access, but the certification process is complex. MSCi’s BIS Certification Consultancy Services, backed by over three decades of experience since 1991, simplify this journey with expert regulatory guidance, documentation support, testing coordination, and audit preparation. By partnering with MSCi, manufacturers can efficiently secure BIS certification, display trusted quality marks, and thrive in India’s dynamic market. Whether you’re a domestic MSME or a global producer, MSCi is your reliable partner for compliance and success.