Importing products into India involves more than finding an overseas supplier, negotiating prices and arranging shipping. For many regulated products, the importer must also check whether the goods require BIS certification before they can legally enter and be sold in the Indian market.

BIS stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards, India's national standards body. While BIS certification is voluntary for many products, the Central Government makes compliance compulsory for numerous products through Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and other notifications. Bureau of Indian Standards

This makes BIS compliance an important pre-import check.

A common mistake is to place a purchase order, manufacture the goods overseas and only then ask whether BIS certification is required. If the product falls under compulsory certification and the overseas factory does not have the required approval, the shipment can face serious commercial problems.

This guide explains the BIS certification process for importers in India, including product applicability, certification routes, documents, foreign-manufacturer requirements and common compliance issues.

Does an Importer Need BIS Certification?

The answer depends on the product.

Not every imported product requires BIS certification. However, if a product is covered by a mandatory BIS requirement, it generally must comply with the applicable Indian Standard and carry the required Standard Mark or registration before being supplied in India.

BIS maintains official lists of products under compulsory certification. These are organised under different conformity-assessment schemes, including Scheme-I, Scheme-II, Scheme-IV and Scheme-X. Bureau of Indian Standards

Importers should therefore ask three questions before placing an order:

Is the product covered by compulsory BIS certification?

Which Indian Standard applies?

Who must obtain the licence or registration?

The third question is particularly important because, in many cases, the applicant is the manufacturer, not the importer.

Who Applies for BIS When the Product Is Imported?

For many imported products under the traditional BIS product-certification route, the overseas manufacturer needs to obtain the licence through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).

BIS states that manufacturers whose factories are located outside India can apply under FMCS. Separate applications are required for each product or Indian Standard and each manufacturing location. Bureau of Indian Standards

This means an Indian importer cannot simply obtain one certificate in its own name and use it for products sourced from multiple overseas factories.

For electronics and IT products covered under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, the relevant manufacturer and manufacturing location are also central to the registration.

Therefore, importers should evaluate the supplier's BIS readiness before making a major commercial commitment.

BIS Product List for Importers

There is no short permanent list that covers every BIS-regulated imported product.

The compulsory-certification list changes as new QCOs are introduced, standards are revised and implementation dates change.

As of 2026, compulsory BIS requirements cover a wide range of products under different schemes. Bureau of Indian Standards

Products Commonly Covered Under Scheme-I

Scheme-I is commonly associated with the BIS Standard Mark or ISI Mark.

Products under compulsory Scheme-I certification include several categories such as:

• Cement and construction materials
• Steel and metal products
• Electrical products
• Household and consumer products
• Industrial materials
• Chemicals and related regulated products

The exact product and applicable Indian Standard must be verified from the current BIS list. The official Scheme-I list was updated in July 2026 and continues to reflect product-specific QCO changes. Bureau of Indian Standards

Electronics and IT Products Under CRS

Many electronics and IT products fall under Scheme-II, commonly known as the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).

The current BIS Scheme-II list includes categories such as laptops, notebooks, tablets, televisions, monitors, electronic games and other notified electronics and IT equipment. Bureau of Indian Standards

Importers dealing with electronics should therefore not assume that international certifications such as CE or FCC automatically replace BIS requirements.

Indian compliance must be checked separately.

Step 1: Identify the Exact Product

BIS applicability should begin with the technical product description.

A commercial description such as "electronic device," "steel part" or "electrical equipment" is often too broad.

The importer should collect:

Product name, intended use, material, technical specification, rating, model number and manufacturing process where relevant.

BIS itself states that the certification process starts by identifying the correct Indian Standard for the product. Bureau of Indian Standards

Correct classification at this stage prevents major problems later.

Step 2: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

Once the product is clearly defined, the next step is to identify the corresponding Indian Standard, or IS number.

Different products can have different testing and marking requirements even when they appear commercially similar.

BIS provides facilities to search Indian Standards and product-specific certification information. Bureau of Indian Standards

The importer should also verify whether the latest version or amendment of the standard applies.

This is especially important when standards have recently been revised.

Step 3: Check Whether Certification Is Mandatory

Having an Indian Standard does not automatically mean BIS certification is compulsory.

The importer must check whether the product has been brought under mandatory certification through an applicable QCO or notification.

BIS confirms that products covered under compulsory certification require the applicable licence or certification. Bureau of Indian Standards

This check should happen before the purchase order is finalised.

Step 4: Determine the Correct BIS Scheme

The certification route depends on the product.

The most relevant routes for importers commonly include:

Scheme-I / FMCS: Often used for foreign manufacturers of products covered by BIS Standard Mark requirements.

Scheme-II / CRS: Commonly applicable to notified electronics and IT products.

Other BIS schemes: Certain products may fall under other conformity-assessment routes depending on the applicable regulation. Bureau of Indian Standards

Selecting the wrong scheme can result in unnecessary testing and delays.

Step 5: Check the Foreign Manufacturer's Readiness

For FMCS products, the overseas factory must be able to demonstrate compliance with the relevant Indian Standard.

BIS requires foreign applicants to have suitable manufacturing machinery, testing equipment and competent testing personnel at their manufacturing premises. Bureau of Indian Standards

Before proceeding, the importer should therefore ask the supplier:

Does the factory manufacture the exact product?

Does it have the required testing equipment?

Can it maintain test and calibration records?

Is the factory willing to undergo BIS assessment?

Is management willing to complete the certification process?

Choosing a supplier that is unwilling to support BIS can create serious problems for the importer.

Step 6: Appoint an Authorized Indian Representative Where Required

Foreign manufacturers applying under FMCS need an Authorized Indian Representative, commonly called an AIR.

The AIR acts as the manufacturer's representative in India for BIS-related responsibilities.

The foreign manufacturer's application must include the prescribed AIR nomination documentation. BIS's FMCS application instructions specifically require nomination of an Authorized Indian Representative. Bureau of Indian Standards

An importer may sometimes act as the AIR if it satisfies the relevant BIS conditions, but this relationship should be formally structured rather than assumed automatically.

Documents Commonly Required for BIS Certification

The exact document list varies by product and certification route.

However, a typical foreign-manufacturer application may involve documents relating to:

• Manufacturer and factory registration
• Factory address
• Manufacturing process
• Product specifications
• Applicable Indian Standard
• List of manufacturing machinery
• Testing equipment
• Calibration records
• Quality-control procedures
• Factory layout
• Technical personnel
• Brand or trademark
• Product test reports
• AIR nomination and authorization
• Undertakings and declarations

For the importer, useful supporting records may also include supplier agreements, invoices, model details and authorization documents.

All documents should use consistent manufacturer names, addresses, model numbers and brand details.

Step 7: Product Testing

Product conformity is a key part of BIS certification.

For Scheme-I certification, BIS grants a licence after assessing the manufacturer's production infrastructure, process controls, quality-control system and testing capability. Product conformity may be established through third-party laboratory testing, factory testing or a combination of the two. Bureau of Indian Standards

CRS products normally require testing through the applicable BIS-recognized laboratory route.

Importers should therefore plan testing before final shipment dates.

A failed product test can require design corrections, component changes or retesting.

Step 8: Submit the Application

Domestic Scheme-I applications are accepted online through the BIS Manakonline portal. Bureau of Indian Standards

For foreign manufacturers under FMCS, BIS has also moved the application process online. From 1 June 2026, FMCS applications are accepted through the online portal rather than the earlier hard-copy route. Bureau of Indian Standards

The application should be checked carefully before submission.

Incomplete files, inconsistent factory details and missing technical documents can create additional BIS queries.

Step 9: Factory Inspection for FMCS Products

For products covered under FMCS, BIS generally assesses the foreign manufacturing facility.

The inspection verifies manufacturing capability, quality-control systems and testing facilities.

This is why the foreign factory must be prepared before BIS officials visit.

Machinery declared in the application should be installed and functional.

Testing equipment should be available, calibration records should be current and technical staff should understand the required tests.

Step 10: BIS Approval and Import Planning

Once the applicable certification requirements are successfully completed, the manufacturer can obtain the relevant BIS approval.

The importer should verify:

Manufacturer name + factory location + Indian Standard + product/model scope + licence status

before commercial shipments begin.

A certificate belonging to another factory should not be treated as approval for the current supplier.

Common BIS Problems Faced by Importers

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that the importer can complete certification independently after goods arrive.

Another common issue is changing the overseas factory while continuing to use the previous manufacturer's BIS details.

Importers also face problems due to:

Incorrect product classification, expired or unsuitable approvals, model differences, wrong Indian Standards, poor supplier cooperation and late testing.

Another major risk is relying only on a supplier's statement that the product is "BIS compliant."

Importers should verify the actual certification scope and manufacturing location.

Benefits of Checking BIS Before Import

Early BIS assessment helps an importer understand whether the proposed product can legally enter the Indian market.

It can also reduce the risk of investing in inventory before compliance is ready.

Proper planning helps coordinate:

Product development, supplier selection, testing, certification, production and shipment schedules.

For businesses importing repeatedly, creating a BIS compliance checklist for every new product and supplier can save significant time.

How Can a BIS Certification Consultant Help Importers?

A BIS Certification Consultant for Importers can review the product before an order is placed.

The consultant can help identify the applicable Indian Standard, check whether certification is compulsory and determine whether the product falls under ISI, CRS, FMCS or another applicable BIS route.

Support may also include:

Supplier readiness assessment, document preparation, AIR coordination, laboratory testing, online filing, foreign-factory inspection preparation and BIS query handling.

For importers sourcing from China, Europe, Southeast Asia or other international markets, this can make compliance planning much more structured.

Conclusion

BIS Certification for Importers in India should be treated as a pre-import compliance check, not something to review after goods have already been manufactured or shipped.

The process begins with identifying the exact product and Indian Standard. The importer must then determine whether certification is compulsory, select the correct BIS scheme and ensure that the overseas manufacturer is properly certified.

Because the list of compulsory products and applicable QCOs can change, businesses should verify the latest requirements for every new product.

Green Permits assists importers, foreign manufacturers and Indian businesses with BIS applicability checks, ISI certification, CRS registration, FMCS certification, AIR support, testing coordination and complete BIS compliance assistance.

Website: https://www.greenpermits.in

Phone: +91 78350 06182

Email: wecare@greenpermits.in