Who Needs BIS Certification?

Komal30 August 2025

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The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standards body responsible for formulating quality, safety, and reliability benchmarks for products and systems. The certification provided by BIS is a mark of conformity that assures consumers and regulatory authorities that a product meets the required Indian Standards.

But a common question arises — who exactly needs BIS certification? The answer depends on the type of product, its end-use, and whether it falls under mandatory or voluntary certification schemes. Below is a comprehensive breakdown.

Manufacturers of Products under Compulsory Certification

Certain products, due to safety, health, and environmental concerns, are brought under the mandatory BIS certification scheme. Manufacturers of such products, whether domestic or foreign, must obtain certification before selling in the Indian market. These include:

Electrical appliances (e.g., electric irons, water heaters)
Household electronics (e.g., LED lights, TV receivers)
Industrial products (e.g., steel products, cement)
Chemicals and fertilizers

This ensures consumer safety and prevents substandard products from entering the market.

Importers Bringing Regulated Goods into India

Importers who bring products into India that fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) or mandatory ISI certification must ensure the goods are BIS-certified. Without certification, customs clearance is denied. This is critical for:
Foreign manufacturers targeting Indian consumers
Distributors dealing in regulated goods
E-commerce companies selling imported products

Industries Requiring Certification for Market Access

Several industries rely heavily on BIS certification to gain credibility and regulatory approval:
Construction Industry → Cement, steel, and structural materials require BIS marks for project approval.
Food Industry → Packaged drinking water, food preservatives, and infant food must comply with BIS standards.
Electronics & IT → Smartphones, laptops, and IT peripherals must register under CRS.

Businesses Seeking Voluntary Certification

Not all products are under mandatory BIS certification. However, many companies apply voluntarily to display the ISI mark or Standard Mark to boost brand value and consumer trust. This is common among:
Startups trying to build credibility
Export-oriented units showcasing adherence to Indian standards
Companies targeting government tenders, which often prefer BIS-certified products

Foreign Manufacturers Supplying to India

Foreign manufacturers who want to sell regulated products in India need BIS certification under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). They must set up a local representative in India to coordinate with BIS.

Table: Who Needs BIS Certification?

BIS Certification requirements and stakeholder information.
Category	Examples of Stakeholders	Key Reason for Certification
Manufacturers of regulated products	Electronics, steel, cement, chemicals	Compliance with mandatory Indian Standards
Importers of regulated goods	Importers of smartphones, toys, appliances	Customs clearance and legal sale in India
Industry-specific players	Food, construction, IT hardware	Meeting safety, quality, and performance benchmarks
Voluntary applicants	Startups, SMEs, exporters	Brand trust, market competitiveness, tender eligibility
Foreign manufacturers	Overseas producers of electronics, industrial products	Legal entry into Indian market through FMCS

In short, BIS certification is not limited to one sector or group — it spans across manufacturers, importers, industries, and even foreign entities aiming to access the Indian market. While it is mandatory for some products, many businesses also choose it voluntarily to build trust and credibility. In essence, any business dealing with consumer-facing or regulated products in India either needs or benefits significantly from BIS certification.