BIS Mandatory Products List in India : Complete Guide to Products Under Compulsory Certification
Navigating product compliance in India can feel like moving through a shifting maze. If you manufacture, import, or sell goods in the Indian market, complying with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is not just a best practice—it is a strict legal requirement. Selling non-compliant goods can lead to immediate customs seizures, delisting from e-commerce platforms, heavy financial fines, or criminal prosecution.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about mandatory BIS certification in 2026: applicable schemes, current product lists by category, QCO updates, and step-by-step process requirements.
Quick Compliance Summary (2026)
Governing Body: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Key Mandates: 700+ individual products and 90+ product categories now require mandatory certification.
Applicable Schemes: Scheme I (ISI Mark), Scheme II (CRS), Scheme IV (CoC), and Scheme X.
Who Must Comply: Indian manufacturers, foreign manufacturers exporting to India, importers, brand owners, and e-commerce sellers.
What are Products Under Compulsory BIS Certification?
Products under compulsory certification are specific goods that cannot be legally manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold in India unless they carry a valid BIS certification mark or registration number.
Under the BIS Act, 2016, the Central Government issues Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for specific industries. Once a QCO is published in the Official Gazette for a product, voluntary compliance ends, and mandatory certification begins.
Why Certification is Mandatory
Consumer Safety: Prevents shock risks, chemical exposure, fire hazards, and structural failures.
Counterfeit Prevention: Blocks sub-standard, unbranded knockoffs from reaching consumers.
Import Quality Control: Ensures foreign suppliers match domestic quality benchmarks.
Environmental Protection: Restricts hazardous materials in electronics (e.g., heavy metals in batteries and lighting).
Understanding the Four BIS Certification Schemes
Not all products follow the same path to certification. BIS operates under four core conformity assessment schemes:
1. Scheme I (ISI Mark Scheme)
Purpose: Factory audit-based certification for high-risk industrial, building, household, and chemical goods.
Applicable Products: Steel, cement, electric motors, household furniture, packaged drinking water, chemicals, and footwear.
Key Requirement: Involves mandatory factory inspection, raw material testing, and sample drawing by a BIS officer.
Timeline: 1 to 3 months for domestic units; 3 to 6 months for foreign manufacturers under FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme).
2. Scheme II (Compulsory Registration Scheme - CRS)
Purpose: Self-declaration of conformity based strictly on lab testing for IT, telecom, and consumer electronics.
Applicable Products: Laptops, smartphones, power banks, LED bulbs, smartwatches, and smart TVs.
Key Requirement: No initial factory audit. Products must pass testing at an accredited BIS-recognized laboratory in India.
Timeline: 15 to 30 working days.
3. Scheme IV (Certificate of Conformity - CoC)
Purpose: Simplified conformity certification for specific low-risk or batch-produced items.
Applicable Products: Selected transformers, specific electrical accessories, and specialized equipment.
Key Requirement: Based on type testing and production sample verification.
4. Scheme X
Purpose: Comprehensive compliance scheme tailored for heavy industrial machinery, electrical equipment, sub-assemblies, and capital goods.
Applicable Products: Pumps, industrial cranes, switchgear, and textile machinery under Omnibus Technical Regulations (OTR).
Latest BIS Mandatory Product List (Updated 2026)
The Indian government regularly expands BIS QCO listings. Below is a breakdown of major product categories and their applicable Indian Standards (IS) and Schemes.
Electronics, IT & Wearables (Scheme II / CRS)
Household Appliances & Electricals (Scheme I & II)
Furniture, Hand Tools & Industrial Goods
BIS Certification Process Step-by-Step
1.Identify Product Standard (IS Number) & Scheme:Prerequisite step.
Determine your exact product code, applicable Indian Standard (IS), and whether it falls under Scheme I, Scheme II (CRS), or Scheme X.
2.Product Testing at BIS-Recognized Lab:Mandatory for all schemes.
Send production samples to a NABL-accredited, BIS-approved laboratory in India. Testing verifies electrical safety, material performance, and construction standards.
3.Factory Audit & Inspection (Scheme I & X):Applicable for ISI Mark & Machinery.
A BIS auditing officer inspects the manufacturing facility, reviews quality control systems, verifies machinery, and witnesses parallel sample testing. (Note: Scheme II / CRS skips this step).
4.Application & Document Submission:Portal filing.
Submit the formal application via the BIS Manakonline portal with test reports, factory documentation, brand authorization, and legal declarations.
5.Grant of Certification & Product Labeling:Final compliance requirement.
Upon review, BIS grants the License (Scheme I) or Registration (Scheme II). Apply the standard ISI Mark or CRS Registration logo with its unique R-number / CM/L number onto products and packaging prior to market distribution.
Documents Required for Certification
To avoid delays, prepare these primary documents in advance:
Manufacturer Details: Factory registration certificate, manufacturing flow chart, list of machinery, and calibration certificates.
Testing Documentation: Valid test report from a BIS-recognized laboratory (less than 90 days old at submission).
Brand & Authorization Documents: Trademark registration certificate, brand authorization letter, and manufacturing agreement (for OEMs/ODMs).
Authorized Indian Representative (AIR): Overseas manufacturers must appoint a resident Indian citizen or legal entity as an AIR to act as the legal representative under BIS regulations.
Who Needs BIS Certification?
Compliance obligations apply across the entire supply chain:
Domestic Manufacturers: Must certify production lines before goods leave the factory floor.
Foreign Manufacturers: Must secure BIS registration via FMCS or CRS before shipping goods to Indian ports.
Importers: Responsible for ensuring that imported shipments carry valid BIS registration linked to their overseas supplier.
E-Commerce Sellers (Amazon, Flipkart, etc.): Platforms require valid BIS certificates before allowing listings in mandatory categories.
Mandatory vs. Voluntary BIS Certification
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Operating without mandatory certification carries direct consequences under the BIS Act, 2016:
Customs Detention & Seizure: Imported goods lacking valid BIS markings are detained or re-exported at the importer's cost.
Financial Fines: Penalties up to ₹5 Lakhs (or double the value of the non-compliant goods produced or sold).
E-Commerce Delisting: Marketplace accounts face immediate suspension.
Legal Prosecution: Serious or repeat non-compliance can result in imprisonment up to 2 years.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect Model Inclusions: Trying to bundle products with different internal architectures or critical components under a single report.
Mismatched Factory Address: Discrepancies between the address on test reports, factory licenses, and portal filings.
Expired Sample Testing: Submitting test reports older than 90 days from issuance.
Improper Marking & Labeling: Printing the ISI/CRS mark without including the required IS number or unique registration number on the physical unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BIS certification mandatory for all products imported into India?
No, it is only mandatory for products covered under Quality Control Orders (QCOs) published by the Indian Government. Unlisted products do not require mandatory BIS clearance.
What is the difference between ISI Mark and CRS Registration?
The ISI mark (Scheme I) involves physical factory audits and sample testing for industrial or high-risk goods. CRS (Scheme II) relies solely on lab testing for IT and electronic products without an initial factory inspection.
Can a foreign manufacturer apply directly for BIS certification?
Yes. Foreign manufacturers apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) for ISI marking or directly under CRS by appointing an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) residing in India.
How long is a BIS certificate valid?
CRS registrations are generally valid for 2 years, while Scheme I (ISI) licenses are granted initially for 1 to 2 years. Both can be renewed periodically by paying standard renewal fees.
Summary
Staying compliant with BIS standards in India requires continuous tracking of updated QCO notifications. Whether you are launching a new electronic device or importing household equipment, verifying your product's standard (IS number) early ensures uninterrupted market entry.
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