Key highlights
Yes. Under the p-Xylene (Quality Control) Order, 2021, BIS certification (ISI Mark under Scheme-I) is mandatory for p-Xylene conforming to IS 17370. Manufacturers and importers must obtain a valid BIS license before commercial sale in India.
- Indian Standard: IS 17370.
- Scheme: A BIS licence to use the ISI mark (Scheme-I).
- Status: No longer mandatory (order rescinded).
- Quality Control Order: p-Xylene (Quality Control) Order, 2022 (S.O. 1276(E)), notified on 23 March 2022; rescinded by S.O. 5527(E) dated 1 December 2025.
- Licence procedure: Normal procedure (Option 1).
- Category: Chemicals.
- HSN code: 2902.
Indian Standard and scheme
The Indian Standard for p-Xylene is IS 17370. Certification is under a BIS licence to use the ISI mark (Scheme-I), and is listed under Chemicals.
Is BIS certification mandatory?
No, not any more. The p-Xylene (Quality Control) Order, 2022 (S.O. 1276(E)) issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, which covered p-Xylene, was rescinded by S.O. 5527(E) dated 1 December 2025. The product can still be certified voluntarily against IS 17370.
The order has 7 related notifications (amendments, extensions and similar); see the order's page for each one.
Licence procedure
Licence applications follow the normal procedure (Option 1): BIS inspects the factory and draws samples for testing after the application is filed.
Testing
Samples are tested against IS 17370 in a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory.
Source: the BIS list of products under compulsory certification and the Gazette notification of the order. Confirm the current position with BIS before acting on it.
Quality Control Order for p-Xylene
The order below makes BIS certification mandatory for p-Xylene.
p-Xylene (Quality Control) Order, 2022
- Order:
- S.O. 1276(E)
- Issued by:
- Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
- Notified:
- 23 March 2022
How to Get BIS Certification for p-Xylene
p-Xylene is certified under the Product Certification Scheme (Scheme-I, ISI mark). Licence applications are processed under the normal procedure (Option 1).
- 1
Confirm the standard and product scope
Check the Indian Standard that applies, the product variants and grades you make, and whether a Quality Control Order makes certification mandatory.
- 2
Apply on BIS Manakonline
Submit the licence application with factory, manufacturing and quality-control details and pay the application fee. Foreign manufacturers apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and appoint an Authorised Indian Representative.
- 3
Factory inspection and sample testing
A BIS officer inspects the factory, checks the manufacturing and in-house testing set-up, and draws samples for testing against the Indian Standard in a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory.
- 4
Licence grant
Once the samples pass and the inspection is satisfactory, BIS grants the licence, and the product can carry the ISI mark with the licence number.
- 5
Surveillance and renewal
BIS keeps checking marked products through surveillance inspections and market samples, and the licence must be renewed before it expires.
Normal vs Simplified Procedure for p-Xylene
BIS processes ISI licence applications under one of two procedures. p-Xylene is not on the BIS Option 2 list, so its licence follows the normal procedure (Option 1).
Normal procedure(Option 1)
Applies to p-XyleneYou apply first; BIS then inspects the factory and draws samples for testing.
- Timeline
- Depends on the factory inspection and lab testing after you apply
- Who it applies to
- ISI products not on the BIS Option 2 list
- 1
Apply on BIS Manakonline
Submit the licence application with factory, manufacturing and quality-control details and pay the fees.
- 2
Factory inspection
A BIS officer inspects the factory and in-house testing set-up and draws samples.
- 3
Sample testing
The samples are tested against the Indian Standard in a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory.
- 4
Licence grant
BIS grants the licence once the samples pass and the inspection is satisfactory.
Simplified procedure(Option 2)
You test a sample first and apply with the test report, so BIS can decide faster.
- Timeline
- BIS aims to process the licence within 30 days
- Who it applies to
- Mandatory for products on the BIS Option 2 list (domestic manufacturers, including MSMEs)
- 1
Test a sample first
Get the product tested against the Indian Standard at a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory.
- 2
Apply with the test report
Submit the application on BIS Manakonline with the test report, factory documents and fees.
- 3
BIS review and factory verification
BIS checks the application and test report and verifies the factory.
- 4
Licence grant
BIS grants the licence, with the aim of doing so within 30 days of the application.
BIS Certification Cost and Timeline for p-Xylene
Estimated total cost
₹46K – ₹1.8L
Estimate from the CompliFind BIS cost calculator for an Indian manufacturer certifying one variant under normal processing, including 18% GST and excluding consultant fees. More variants, foreign manufacture or fast-track change the total; use the cost calculator for your case.
Estimated timeline
10–16 weeks
Time to grant of licence for an Indian manufacturer under normal processing, from the CompliFind cost calculator; it includes product testing.
Cost breakdown
Indicative, excluding GST| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Government Fee (BIS) | ₹9K – ₹16K |
| Testing Fee | ₹15K – ₹60K |
| Marking Fee (Annual) | ₹15K – ₹75K |
| GST (18%) | ₹7K – ₹27.2K |
Calculate the cost for your case
Government fee, testing, marking fee and timeline for p-Xylene, by applicant type, number of models and urgency.
Documents Required
What BIS asks for when certifying p-Xylene.
- Factory registration and address proof
- Manufacturing process flow chart
- List of manufacturing machinery and in-house test equipment
- Quality control plan and test records
- Trademark or brand registration
- Authorised Indian Representative documents (foreign manufacturers)
Testing Labs for IS 17370
BIS tests samples of p-Xylene against IS 17370 in its own or a BIS-recognised laboratory.
Find BIS-recognised labsOfficial Sources
- Gazette Notification: p-Xylene (Quality Control) Order, 2021· Bureau of Indian Standards / Gazette of India
- Gazette notification S.O. 1276(E)· Gazette of India
- Bureau of Indian Standards· BIS
- BIS Manakonline (licence applications)· BIS
Compiled from official BIS and Gazette sources and last reviewed in October 2026. Standards and orders are amended from time to time; confirm the current requirement with BIS before you apply.
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