Updated May 202622 min read

BIS Certification in India: Complete Guide for Manufacturers, Importers and Foreign Brands

Everything you need to know about BIS certification in 2026 | which scheme applies, what it costs, how long it takes, and exactly how to get certified. Free checker, calculator, and lab directory included.

Quick Answer

BIS certification is the official proof that a product meets the relevant Indian Standard. It is mandatory for 870+ products under Quality Control Orders (QCOs). There are three main routes: ISI Mark for Indian manufacturers, CRS for electronics and IT products, and FMCS for foreign manufacturers. Cost ranges from ₹50,000 to ₹5,00,000. Timeline ranges from 6 to 36 weeks depending on the scheme.

Which BIS Scheme Applies to Your Product?

Feature	ISI Mark (Scheme I)	CRS (Scheme II)	FMCS
Who needs it	Indian manufacturers	Electronics importers & manufacturers	Foreign manufacturers (outside India)
Factory inspection	Yes \| BIS officer visits	No \| testing only	Yes \| BIS officer travels overseas
Cost range	₹80K – ₹4L	₹50K – ₹1.5L	₹2L – ₹5L+
Timeline	14 – 26 weeks	6 – 12 weeks	16 – 36 weeks
AIR required	No	No (domestic)	Yes \| mandatory
Products covered	650+ (steel, cement, appliances)	80+ (LED, phones, laptops)	All non-CRS products
Portal	Manakonline	CRS Portal (crsbis.in)	Manakonline (FMCS route)

Decision Flowchart: Which BIS Scheme Do You Need?

Are you manufacturing in India?

→

YES, electronics/IT → CRS Registration

YES, other products → ISI Mark

NO, importing electronics → CRS (manufacturer-led)

NO, foreign manufacturer → FMCS + AIR

BIS Certification Process: Step by Step

Identify the applicable standard and scheme

Use the BIS Checker on bischeck.in or the official BIS compulsory products list to confirm which Indian Standard applies and whether you need CRS, ISI, or FMCS.

Prepare documentation

Gather: factory registration, product technical specifications, quality control manuals, company incorporation documents, trademark certificate (if applicable), and authorisation letter.

Get product tested at a BIS-recognised lab

Send 3-5 samples to any of the 422 BIS-recognised NABL-accredited labs. Testing takes 4-8 weeks. Choose labs based on product specialisation and queue time.

Submit application on the correct portal

ISI applicants use Manakonline. CRS applicants use the CRS portal. Upload test reports, pay fees (₹1,000 application + marking fee), and submit all documents.

Respond to BIS queries

BIS scrutinises the application and raises queries. Respond promptly | incomplete applications and delayed responses are the most common cause of timeline extensions.

Factory inspection (ISI and FMCS only)

For ISI: BIS officer visits your Indian factory (1-3 days). For FMCS: BIS officers travel to your overseas factory. CRS does not require factory inspection.

Grant, marking, and ongoing compliance

Once granted, affix the BIS Standard Mark or ISI Mark on your products. Maintain annual marking fee payments, respond to surveillance visits, and track QCO changes for renewal.

Documents Required for BIS Certification

Product technical specifications and datasheet

Test report from BIS-recognised lab

Factory registration / MSME / IEM certificate

Company incorporation / partnership deed

GST registration certificate

Trademark registration (if brand differs from company name)

Authorisation letter on company letterhead

Quality control manual and process documentation

List of manufacturing machinery (ISI)

In-house testing facility details (ISI)

AIR agreement on stamp paper (FMCS)

Product user manual and label artwork

BIS Certification Cost by Scheme (2026)

Cost Component	CRS	ISI	FMCS
Lab Testing	₹40K – ₹1.2L	₹15K – ₹3L	₹25K – ₹1.5L
BIS Application Fee	₹1,000	₹1,000 – ₹5,000	Varies
Annual Marking Fee	₹1K – ₹10K	₹5K – ₹1L	Volume-based
Factory Inspection	Not required	₹10K – ₹50K	₹2L – ₹5L
Consultant (optional)	₹30K – ₹1L	₹50K – ₹2L	₹50K – ₹2L
AIR Fee (FMCS only)	N/A	N/A	₹50K – ₹5L/year
Total Range	₹50K – ₹1.5L	₹80K – ₹4L	₹2L – ₹5L+

BIS Certification Timeline by Scheme

CRS

6–12 weeks

• Lab testing: 4-8 weeks
• BIS processing: 2-4 weeks
• No factory visit
• Fastest option

ISI Mark

14–26 weeks

• Lab testing: 4-8 weeks
• Factory inspection: 2-4 weeks
• BIS review: 2-4 weeks
• Plan for 3-6 months

FMCS

16–36 weeks

• Lab testing: 4-8 weeks
• Officer travel scheduling: 4-12 weeks
• Overseas audit: 1-2 weeks
• BIS review: 2-4 weeks

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is BIS certification and who needs it?

BIS certification is the conformity-assessment framework run by the Bureau of Indian Standards. It proves a product meets the relevant Indian Standard. Anyone who manufactures, imports, or sells products covered under mandatory BIS Quality Control Orders needs certification | including domestic manufacturers, foreign exporters, importers, and Amazon/Flipkart sellers.

Is BIS certification mandatory for all products?

No. BIS certification becomes mandatory only when the Government of India notifies a product under a Quality Control Order (QCO). Currently 870+ products across electronics, steel, toys, chemicals, and appliances require mandatory certification. Products not under any QCO can be certified voluntarily.

How much does BIS certification cost in India?

CRS registration: ₹50K-₹1.5L per model. ISI certification: ₹80K-₹4L depending on product and factory. FMCS: ₹2L-₹5L+ (includes overseas factory audit). Costs include lab testing, BIS application fees, annual marking fees, and optionally consultant fees. Use our cost calculator for a product-specific estimate.

How long does BIS certification take?

CRS: 6-12 weeks (testing 4-8 weeks + BIS processing 2-4 weeks). ISI: 14-26 weeks (testing + factory inspection). FMCS: 16-36 weeks (includes international travel for BIS officers). Rush/priority testing at private labs can reduce timelines by 30-50% for an additional fee.

What is the difference between ISI mark, CRS, and FMCS?

ISI Mark is for Indian manufacturers (requires factory inspection). CRS is for electronics and IT products (testing only, no factory visit). FMCS is for foreign manufacturers without an India presence (requires overseas factory audit and Authorised Indian Representative).

Do importers need BIS certification?

Yes. If you import a product covered under a mandatory QCO, it must have BIS certification before it can clear customs. The certification is typically held by the foreign manufacturer, not the importer. You must verify the manufacturer has valid BIS registration for the exact product, brand, and factory before importing.

Can foreign manufacturers get BIS certification?

Yes, through the FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme). Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) in India, have their overseas factory inspected by BIS officers, and meet all Indian Standard requirements. The process takes 16-36 weeks and costs ₹2L-₹5L+.

What happens if I sell without BIS certification?

For mandatory products: your goods can be seized by customs at the port, your Amazon/Flipkart listings will be removed, and penalties up to ₹5 lakh per violation apply under the BIS Act 2016. Continued non-compliance can result in imprisonment. There is no "sell first, certify later" option for mandatory products.

How do I check if my product needs BIS?

Use the free BIS Checker on bischeck.in | enter your product name or HSN code. You will instantly see whether BIS is required, which scheme applies, the applicable IS standard, estimated cost, and timeline. You can also check the official BIS compulsory products list on the BIS website.

What documents are required for BIS certification?

Product technical specifications, test report from a BIS-recognised lab, factory registration proof, trademark certificate (if applicable), authorisation letter, quality control documentation, product user manual, and company registration documents. FMCS additionally requires AIR agreement. Total: 8-15 documents depending on the scheme.

How do I verify a BIS certificate number?

Use the Manakonline portal (manakonline.bis.gov.in) for ISI licence search. For CRS, search the registered manufacturer database at the CRS portal (crsbis.in). You can also use the BIS Care App on mobile. Always verify: the product category, the licence status (active), and the exact model/brand/factory scope | not just the R-number.

What is a Quality Control Order (QCO)?

A Quality Control Order is a government notification issued by a ministry (typically DPIIT, MeitY, or Textiles) that makes BIS certification legally mandatory for a specific product or product category. Once a QCO takes effect, the covered products cannot be manufactured, imported, or sold in India without the required BIS certification. 31 new QCOs are scheduled for 2026.

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