Is Your Product on the BIS Mandatory List? Check Before You Sell in India

Selling products in India is a great opportunity for manufacturers, importers, and online sellers. However, before you launch your product in the market, there is one important question you should ask:

Is your product on the BIS mandatory list?

If the answer is yes, you may need approval from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) before selling your product legally. Selling products without the required BIS certification can result in penalties, product seizure, or a ban on sales.

What is BIS Certification?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body. It ensures that products sold in the country meet quality, safety, and performance standards.

Many products can be sold without BIS certification, but certain products require mandatory certification before they can be manufactured, imported, or sold.

Today, businesses can also apply for BIS Certification Online, making the process faster and more convenient.

Why Does the BIS Mandatory List Matter?

The government has made BIS certification compulsory for many products to:

Protect consumer safety
Improve product quality
Prevent fake or low-quality products
Promote fair competition
Ensure compliance with Indian Standards

If your product falls under the mandatory list, you must obtain the required certification before entering the Indian market.

What Products Are Covered Under the BIS Mandatory List?

The BIS mandatory list keeps expanding as new products come under quality control orders (QCOs).

Some common categories include:

Electrical appliances
Electronic products
LED lights
Batteries
Steel products
Cement
Chemicals
Pressure cookers
Kitchen appliances
Medical equipment
Footwear
Helmets
Toys
Mobile chargers
Power banks
Switches and cables

Many of these products require either:

ISI Certification
BIS CRS Registration
FMCS Certification (for foreign manufacturers)

How to Check if Your Product Requires BIS Certification

Before selling your product, follow these simple steps.

1. Identify Your Product Category

Find out exactly what product you are manufacturing or importing.

For example:

LED Bulb
Electric Iron
Mobile Charger
Smart TV
Plastic Toy

Find the Applicable Indian Standard (IS)

Each regulated product follows a specific Indian Standard (IS).

For example:

Pressure Cooker – IS 2347
Toys – IS 9873
LED Lamps – IS 16102

Knowing the correct standard helps determine whether certification is mandatory.

Check Quality Control Orders (QCOs)

The Government of India regularly issues Quality Control Orders that make BIS certification compulsory for certain products.

If your product appears under a QCO, certification becomes mandatory.

Verify the Certification Scheme

Different products require different BIS schemes.

ISI Certification

Products like cement, steel, kitchen appliances, helmets, and pressure cookers generally require ISI Certification Online.

BIS CRS Registration

Electronic and IT products generally require BIS CRS Registration Online.

FMCS

Foreign manufacturers may require the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme.

Consult BIS Experts

If you're unsure about your product category, consulting professionals can help you avoid mistakes and delays.

Products That Need BIS CRS Registration

The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) mainly covers electronics and IT products.

Some examples include:

Mobile phones
LED lights
Smart watches
Power adapters
Laptops
Monitors
USB chargers
Smart speakers
CCTV equipment
Wireless keyboards

Businesses often choose BIS CRS Registration Online because the application process is digital and easier to manage.

Products That Need ISI Certification

ISI certification applies to many products used daily.

Examples include:

Cement
Steel bars
Pressure cookers
LPG valves
Packaged drinking water
Electric irons
Kitchen appliances
Helmets
PVC pipes

Manufacturers can now apply for ISI Certification Online with proper documentation.

BIS Certification for Toys

The Indian government has made BIS Certification for Toys mandatory.

Both:

Plastic toys
Non-plastic toys

must comply with Indian safety standards before being sold.

This rule applies to:

Indian manufacturers
Foreign manufacturers
Importers
Online sellers
Toy brands

Selling uncertified toys in India can lead to product recalls and legal action.

Who Needs BIS Certification?

You may need BIS certification if you are:

Manufacturer
Importer
Foreign manufacturer
Brand owner
Distributor
E-commerce seller
Private label business

Even if you sell products through Amazon, Flipkart, or your own website, certification may still be mandatory.

What Happens If You Sell Without BIS Certification?

Selling regulated products without certification may result in:

Heavy penalties
Product seizure
Import restrictions
Legal action
Marketplace listing removal
Damage to your brand reputation

Compliance is always more affordable than dealing with penalties later.

Benefits of BIS Certification

Obtaining BIS certification offers several advantages:

Builds customer trust
Improves product quality
Helps meet legal requirements
Enables smooth imports
Increases business credibility
Supports government tenders
Expands market opportunities
Reduces compliance risks

Documents Required

Although requirements vary by product, businesses generally need:

Company registration documents
Factory license
Manufacturing process details
Product specifications
Test reports from approved laboratories
Trademark details (if applicable)
Authorized representative documents (for foreign manufacturers)

How Long Does BIS Certification Take?

The timeline depends on the product category and certification scheme.

Generally, it may take:

Product testing
Document verification
Application review
Factory inspection (where applicable)
Final approval

Submitting complete and accurate documents can help speed up the process.

How Corpbiz Can Help

Applying for BIS certification can be challenging, especially if you're unfamiliar with technical standards and documentation.

Corpbiz offers end-to-end assistance for:

BIS Certification Online
BIS CRS Registration Online
ISI Certification Online
BIS Certification for Toys
Product eligibility assessment
Documentation support
Application filing
Liaison with BIS authorities
Compliance guidance

Our experienced consultants help businesses complete the certification process efficiently while reducing the risk of delays or rejection.

Conclusion

Before launching your product in India, always check whether it is included in the BIS mandatory list. Ignoring BIS requirements can lead to penalties, delays, and loss of business opportunities.

Whether you manufacture products in India or import them from abroad, obtaining the right certification ensures legal compliance and builds customer confidence.

If you're unsure whether your product requires certification, seeking expert guidance can save both time and money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the BIS mandatory list?

The BIS mandatory list includes products that require BIS certification before they can be manufactured, imported, or sold in India.

2. Is BIS certification mandatory for all products?

No. Only products covered under Quality Control Orders (QCOs) or specific government notifications require mandatory BIS certification.

3. What is the difference between ISI Certification and BIS CRS Registration?

ISI Certification is mainly for products covered under the BIS certification scheme, while BIS CRS Registration applies primarily to electronic and IT products.

4. Is BIS Certification for Toys compulsory?

Yes. Both plastic and non-plastic toys must obtain BIS certification before being sold in India.

5. Can foreign manufacturers apply for BIS certification?

Yes. Foreign manufacturers can apply under the appropriate BIS certification scheme through an authorized Indian representative, where required.

6. Can I apply for BIS Certification Online?

Yes. Businesses can complete the BIS Certification Online application process with the required documents and product testing.

7. What happens if I sell a product without mandatory BIS certification?

You may face penalties, product seizure, import restrictions, legal action, and removal of your products from online marketplaces.

About Corpbiz

Corpbiz is a trusted legal and business compliance platform that helps startups, manufacturers, importers, and enterprises meet regulatory requirements across India. Our experts provide comprehensive support for registrations, certifications, licensing, tax compliance, and legal advisory services, making business compliance simpler and more efficient.

Author Profile

Atul Shukla
Legal Content Strategist

Atul Shukla is an experienced legal content writer specializing in business registrations, BIS certification, GST, company law, and regulatory compliance. He creates SEO-friendly, easy-to-understand content that helps businesses stay informed about Indian legal and compliance requirements while improving their online visibility.