Key highlights
Yes. Under the Geo Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022, BIS certification (ISI Mark under Scheme-I) is mandatory for manufacturers and importers of products covered under the order. Commercial production or import without a valid BIS license is prohibited under the BIS Act, 2016.
- Order: S.O. 1706(E), notified in the Gazette of India on 10 April 2023.
- Issued by: Ministry of Textiles.
- Covers 19 products: Geocells, Geocells, Geogrids for flexible pavements and 16 more.
- Indian Standards: IS 17483 (Part 1), IS 17483 (Part 2), IS 17371, IS 17373, IS 16392, IS 16090 and 13 more.
- Status: In force; BIS certification mandatory.
- History: 2 related notifications, the latest dated 24 May 2023.
Key details
- Order number
- S.O. 1706(E)
- Issued by
- Ministry of Textiles
- Notified
- Implementation date
- As per Gazette notification
- Status
- In force
- BIS certification
- Mandatory
- Licence needed
- BIS licence (ISI mark)
- Scheme
- Scheme-I: Product Certification (ISI mark)
- Products covered
- 19
- Penalty
- Fine of at least ₹2 lakh, or imprisonment of up to 2 years
- Last verified
- October 2026
About the order
The Geo Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022 was notified in the Gazette of India as S.O. 1706(E) on 10 April 2023 by the Ministry of Textiles. It applies to 19 products, each of which has to conform to its Indian Standard.
BIS certification is mandatory for the covered products.
What it means for businesses
Manufacturers, importers and sellers of the covered products need a BIS licence to use the ISI mark (Scheme-I) before the products can be made, imported or sold in India. Foreign manufacturers apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).
Amendments
The order has 2 related notifications (amendments, extensions and similar); the most recent is dated 24 May 2023. Each is listed with its Gazette PDF under Dates and Amendments.
Source: the Gazette notification and the BIS list of products under compulsory certification. Confirm the current position with BIS before acting on it.
Products Covered (19)
Each product below needs BIS certification under this order. Open one for its standard and process.
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeocellsIS 17483 (Part 2)
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeocellsIS 17483 (Part 1)
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeogrids for flexible pavementsIS 17371
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeogrids used in reinforced soil retaining structuresIS 17373
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeotextiles for permanent erosion control in hard armor systemsIS 16392
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeotextiles used as protection (or cushioning) materialsIS 16090
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeotextiles used in Sub-grade Stabilisation in pavement structuresIS 16362
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeotextiles used in Subsurface Drainage ApplicationIS 16393
- ISI mark scheme: ISIGeotextiles used in sub-grade separation in pavement structuresIS 16391
- ISI mark scheme: ISIHigh Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Geomembranes for liningIS 16352
- ISI mark scheme: ISIJute GeotextilesIS 14715 (Part 2)
- ISI mark scheme: ISIJute GeotextilesIS 14715 (Part 1)
- ISI mark scheme: ISILaminated High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Woven Geomembrane for Water Proof LiningIS 15351
- ISI mark scheme: ISINeedle punched non-woven geobagsIS 16653
- ISI mark scheme: ISIOpen Weave Coir BhoovastraIS 15869
- ISI mark scheme: ISIPoly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) GeomembranesIS 15909
- ISI mark scheme: ISIPolymeric strip or geostrip used as soil reinforcement in retaining structuresIS 17372
- ISI mark scheme: ISIPolypropylene Multifilament woven geobagsIS 16654
- ISI mark scheme: ISIReinforced HDPE membrane for effluents and chemical resistance liningIS 17374
Dates and Amendments
Notified in the Gazette
10 April 2023
Amendment
Geo Textiles (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2022
S.O. 2331(E)Gazette PDF (opens in a new tab)
Earlier order
Ministry of Textiles Order, 2023
Fully implemented and enforceable across India for all domestic manufacturers, foreign manufacturers, and importers.
Who Must Comply
- Indian manufacturers
- Importers
- Foreign manufacturers
- Traders, sellers and distributors
How to Comply
Covered products are certified under the Product Certification Scheme (Scheme-I, ISI mark). These are the standard steps.
- 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.
Penalty for Non-Compliance
Fine of at least ₹2 lakh, or imprisonment of up to 2 years
Violations of mandatory Quality Control Orders are punishable under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016 with imprisonment up to two years, fines up to ₹5,00,000 (or up to 10 times the value of goods), and confiscation of non-compliant inventory.
Official Sources
Compiled from the Gazette of India and official BIS sources, last verified in October 2026. Orders are amended and deferred from time to time; confirm the current position with BIS or the issuing ministry before acting on it.
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