BIS Certification

BIS Certification in India: ISI Mark, CRS & Hallmarking Explained

Selling a product that falls under a mandatory Indian Standard without BIS certification isn't a minor compliance gap - it can mean your goods are seized at the factory gate or the port. This guide explains the three main BIS certification routes, eligibility, documents, the testing and audit process, and how KanoonPe manages it with a flat all-inclusive quote.

Quick summary

• What it is: Product certification/registration issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards confirming compliance with the applicable Indian Standard.
• Governed by: the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
• Mandatory if: you manufacture or import a product notified under mandatory certification - electronics, toys, cement, pressure cookers, helmets, gold/silver jewellery, and more.
• KanoonPe price: Flat, all-inclusive quote on a free callback · Timeline: typically 30–90 working days.

Quick facts

What is BIS certification?

BIS certification is a product conformity certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards under the BIS Act, 2016, confirming that a product meets the applicable Indian Standard for quality and safety before it can be manufactured, imported, or sold in India.

BIS operates through three main routes depending on the product. The ISI Mark (Scheme-I) applies to a wide range of products with mandatory or voluntary Indian Standards, such as cement, LPG cylinders, electrical appliances, toys, and packaged drinking water. CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme), notified under the BIS (Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012, governs specified electronics and IT products like mobile chargers, laptops, and LED lights. Hallmarking applies specifically to gold and silver jewellery, which has been mandatory in India since 2021 in a phased rollout across districts. Manufacturers and importers must identify which scheme applies to their product and secure the corresponding certification before sale.

Types of BIS certification

Who needs BIS certification?

• Manufacturers of products notified under mandatory ISI certification (electrical goods, toys, cement, pressure cookers, helmets).
• Importers bringing notified electronics/IT products into India (mandatory CRS registration).
• Jewellers and jewellery manufacturers selling gold/silver ornaments (mandatory hallmarking).
• Businesses supplying to government tenders that require ISI-marked products.
• E-commerce sellers listing notified electronics or consumer products.
• Any manufacturer/importer wanting to build consumer trust through voluntary Indian Standard certification.

Benefits of BIS certification

1. Legal market access - mandatory for notified products; unregistered goods cannot be sold or imported.
2. Consumer trust - the ISI mark and hallmark are recognised quality signals across India.
3. Eligibility for government tenders - most public procurement requires BIS-certified/ISI-marked products.
4. Reduced liability - certification demonstrates due diligence in product safety and quality.
5. Smoother customs clearance - CRS-registered electronics clear import checks faster.
6. Competitive differentiation - certified products stand out against uncertified competitors in the same category.

Documents required for BIS certification

Business and identity documents

• PAN card and business registration certificate (company/LLP/partnership/proprietorship)
• GST registration certificate
• Factory/manufacturing unit address proof

Product and technical documents

• Product specification sheet and applicable Indian Standard (IS) number
• Test reports from a BIS-recognised laboratory
• Manufacturing process flow chart and quality control scheme
• List of raw materials and in-house testing equipment

Scheme-specific documents

• Factory layout and machinery list (for ISI Mark factory audit)
• Import documents/IEC (for CRS registration by importers)
• Purity certification and jewellery details (for Hallmarking)

BIS certification process (step by step)

1. Identify the applicable scheme. We determine whether your product needs ISI Mark, CRS registration, or Hallmarking, and the relevant Indian Standard.
2. Prepare documentation. Collect business, product, and manufacturing-process documents specific to the scheme.
3. Sample testing. Submit product samples for testing at a BIS-recognised or approved in-house laboratory.
4. Factory audit (ISI Mark). BIS officials inspect the manufacturing unit, quality control process, and testing facilities.
5. Application submission. File the application on the BIS portal (or through the CRS/Hallmarking portal, as applicable) with test reports and audit findings.
6. Scrutiny and clarification. BIS reviews the application and may seek clarifications or additional testing.
7. Grant of license/registration. On approval, BIS issues the license (ISI), registration number (CRS), or hallmarking authorisation, allowing you to mark products accordingly.

Ready to get started? Talk to a verified expert → - get a transparent, all-inclusive quote for your BIS certification within one business hour.

BIS certification cost in India

Government fees vary by scheme, product category, and number of Indian Standards involved - ISI Mark licensing involves application, marking, and annual fees, while CRS registration fees are generally lower per product but require separate registration for each model. Testing charges at BIS-recognised labs are an additional cost that depends on the product type and number of parameters tested.

KanoonPe offers a flat, all-inclusive quote - covering scheme identification, documentation, lab coordination, factory audit support, and filing with BIS, so you don't face rejection or delays from an incomplete application.

Timeline

Validity and renewal

ISI Mark licenses are typically valid for 1–2 years and must be renewed before expiry, along with periodic surveillance audits and sample testing by BIS. CRS registrations are valid for 2 years and require renewal along with re-testing if there are product changes. Hallmarking authorisation for jewellers requires periodic renewal and compliance with BIS's Assaying & Hallmarking Centre standards. Renewal applications should be filed well before expiry to avoid a lapse in your right to use the mark.

Penalties for selling without BIS certification

Manufacturing, importing, or selling a product notified under mandatory BIS certification without valid certification is an offence under the BIS Act, 2016:

• Imprisonment up to 2 years and/or a fine up to ₹2 lakh for a first conviction of using the ISI mark or selling notified goods without a valid license.
• Enhanced fines for repeat offences, which can extend further with additional daily penalties for continuing contravention.
• Confiscation of non-compliant goods at ports (for imports) or at the point of sale.
• Import bans - CRS-notified electronics without valid registration cannot be cleared through customs.
• Reputational damage and loss of eligibility for government and institutional tenders.

ISI Mark vs CRS vs Hallmarking

Why choose KanoonPe

• Transparent flat pricing - one all-inclusive number covering documentation, lab coordination, and filing.
• Filed-on-time or refund - every order carries a written SLA.
• One accountable case owner - a single named manager tracks your file through audit and testing to grant.
• Live status tracking - monitor your application, testing, and audit status in real time.

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