Key highlights
Indian manufacturers of notified products must get a BIS licence for their factory before making or selling them. Most goods need an ISI mark licence under Scheme-I, applied for on Manak Online. Electronics and IT goods need registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). The licence is issued to the factory, not to the brand or seller.
- The licence or registration is issued to the manufacturing unit, for its premises.
- ISI mark (Scheme-I): ₹1,000 application fee, ₹1,000 annual licence fee and a product-specific minimum marking fee.
- Under the simplified procedure BIS aims to grant a licence within 30 days.
- CRS registration for electronics: normal time to grant is 20 working days.
- Licences are granted for 1–2 years at first and can be renewed for up to 5 years.
Key Facts for Indian manufacturers
- Licence holder
- The manufacturing unit. The licence covers only the factory address named on it.
- Time for an ISI mark licence
- About 30 days under the simplified procedure, if the factory visit is satisfactory and samples pass the first test. The normal procedure takes longer because inspection and testing come first.
- Time for CRS registration
- BIS normally grants registration within 20 working days of a complete application with a valid test report.
- Products covered
- 796
- Last verified
BIS Process for Indian manufacturers: ISI Mark and CRS
BIS licence under Scheme-I (ISI mark)
For products whose Quality Control Order needs the ISI mark. BIS checks the factory's manufacturing and testing set-up and tests samples against the Indian Standard before granting the licence.
Licence holder: The manufacturing unit. The licence covers only the factory address named on it.
Steps
- 1
Confirm the standard
Find the product's Indian Standard (IS number) and the Quality Control Order that covers it.
- 2
Set up testing and quality control
Arrange the test equipment and quality controls the standard's Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) requires.
- 3
Apply on Manak Online
Submit the application with documents, the application fee and 50% of the annual minimum marking fee.
- 4
Choose normal or simplified procedure
Normal: BIS inspects the factory and draws samples for testing. Simplified: submit a test report from a BIS-recognised lab with the application, and BIS verifies the factory afterwards.
- 5
Factory evaluation and sample testing
A BIS officer visits the factory, and samples are tested at a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory.
- 6
Grant of licence
Pay the licence fee and the balance marking fee. You can then mark products with the ISI mark and your licence number (CM/L-).
- Timeline
- About 30 days under the simplified procedure, if the factory visit is satisfactory and samples pass the first test. The normal procedure takes longer because inspection and testing come first.
- Validity
- Granted for 1 to 2 years. Renewable for 1 to 5 years at a time.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹1K | Non-refundable, paid when applying. |
| Factory inspection charges | ₹7K | Per man-day of BIS visit. |
| Annual licence fee | ₹1K | Paid on grant and at each renewal. |
| Annual minimum marking fee | Set per product | BIS sets this for each Indian Standard. Half is paid with the application and the balance when the licence is granted. Concessions for MSEs are notified by BIS. |
| Sample testing | As per lab | Paid to the BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory. |
Government fees exclude GST. BIS revises fees by notification.
Documents
- Factory registration and proof of premises
- Manufacturing process flow and list of machinery
- List of test equipment with calibration certificates
- Test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory (simplified procedure)
- MSE registration, if claiming a fee concession
BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)
For electronics and IT products notified under CRS. Registration is granted on the basis of test reports from BIS-recognised laboratories in India, and the product then carries the Standard Mark with its registration number (R-number).
Licence holder: The manufacturing unit, in its own name.
Steps
- 1
Confirm the product is under CRS
Check the product and its Indian Standard (IS number) in the CRS list. Each factory and brand needs a separate registration.
- 2
Test samples in India
Get samples tested at a BIS-recognised laboratory in India against the Indian Standard. Models can be grouped as BIS guidelines allow.
- 3
Apply online
Submit the online application with the test report, the affidavit cum undertaking (Format C) and the fee.
- 4
Answer BIS queries
BIS raises queries online, and you reply on the same portal.
- 5
Registration and marking
Once granted, mark products with the Standard Mark and the R-number as BIS prescribes.
- Timeline
- BIS normally grants registration within 20 working days of a complete application with a valid test report.
- Validity
- Valid for 2 years. Renewal can be taken for 2 to 5 years at a time.
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹1K | Per application. |
| Processing fee | ₹50K | Includes one test report. Under the 2018 fee structure, micro enterprises and start-ups get an 80% concession, small enterprises 50% and medium enterprises 20%. Check the current BIS notification before you pay. |
| Each additional test report | ₹20K | For more models in the same application. |
| Annual registration fee | ₹1K | Per year of validity (2 years at first). |
| Product testing | As per lab | Paid to the BIS-recognised laboratory in India. |
Government fees exclude GST. BIS revises fees by notification.
Documents
- Test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory in India
- Affidavit cum undertaking (Format C)
- Factory and brand details, with the list of models
Obligations for Indian manufacturers
Hold a licence before you make or sell
Section 17 of the BIS Act bars manufacturing or selling notified goods without a valid licence and Standard Mark.
Keep in-house testing
Test production as the Scheme of Inspection and Testing requires and keep the records.
Mark every unit correctly
Apply the ISI mark with your licence number (or the CRS mark with your R-number) only on conforming goods.
Renew on time
Apply for renewal with the fees before the licence expires.
What's Different for Indian manufacturers
You can use the simplified procedure
Indian factories can apply with a recognised lab's test report, aiming for a licence within 30 days.
No representative needed
Indian factories apply directly. No Authorised Indian Representative or bank guarantee is required.
Fees in rupees
All fees are paid in INR, plus GST.
Penalty Under the BIS Act
Under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, breaking Section 17 is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine of not less than ₹2 lakh for the first offence and not less than ₹5 lakh for later offences, which may extend up to ten times the value of the goods.
Official Sources
- The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016· BIS
- Product certification fee (Scheme-I)· BIS
- Product certification FAQs· BIS
- Manak Online (BIS applications portal)· BIS
- CRS: how to apply· BIS
- CRS fee structure (w.e.f. 04 June 2018)· BIS
Source: BIS publications, last verified . Fees and procedures change by BIS notification, so check the BIS website before you apply.