BIS ISI Mark for FMCS
FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) is a certification scheme regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that allows overseas manufacturers to use the ISI Mark on their products. This certification is mandatory for a wide range of products—from steel and chemicals to toys and food—to ensure they meet the same safety and quality standards as Indian-made goods.
Under the BIS Act, 2016, foreign manufacturing units must undergo a physical factory audit by BIS officials to verify their manufacturing infrastructure and in-house testing capabilities. Once certified, the product is issued a unique CM/L license number, which must be displayed alongside the ISI Mark on the product.
At Instacertify, we provide:
- Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) Services to act as your mandatory local legal liaison.
- Factory Audit Coordination, including managing the visit of BIS officials to your overseas plant.
- Product Testing Management in BIS-recognized laboratories within India.
- Documentation & Submission of hard-copy applications directly to the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD).
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Who Can Apply for This Certificate?
List of Documents Required
- Application Form (Form V)
- Manufacturing Unit Documents, like Location Map, Plant Layout, Factory Registration Certificate
- Product Details, such as Technical Specifications, Product Manual/Process Flowchart
- Test Reports, In-House and Outsourced Product Test Reports
- Quality Management System (QMS) Documents like Quality Control Manual and List of Testing Equipment
- Authorized Signatory Documents like Authorization Letter of AIR and ID Proofs..etc.
- Trademark Registration Certificate
- Manufacturing Facility Details (for Foreign Manufacturers) like Agreement Between Foreign Manufacturer and Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), AIR’s Address Proof
- Raw Material and Component Details like Details of Raw Materials, test reports.
- Undertaking or Affidavit such as Self-Declaration/Affidavit and necessary undertakings.
- Safety Certification (if applicable) like Safety Certificates or Approvals from relevant regulatory bodies if the product involves special safety considerations (e.g., electrical appliances or toys
- Fee Payment Proof such as Fee Payment Receipt for the application fees, inspection charges, and testing charges paid to the BIS
Process to Apply
Step 1: Initial Consultation & Requirement Analysis
Our team of experts gives an initial consultation to understand your product. They assess the regulatory requirements for your products and guide you on how to get BIS ISI Mark Certification. For foreign manufacturers, Instacertify helps find an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). This person acts as a link between the manufacturer and BIS.Step 2: Documentation Assistance and Application Preparation
We help you prepare all needed documents, like application forms, manufacturing unit details, technical specifications, and quality control manuals. We make sure all documents meet BIS standards to avoid delays. We also help foreign manufacturers send product samples to India for testing. We ensure all logistics and documentation are ready. Instacertify reviews the test reports for compliance with Indian standards before submitting them to BIS, ensuring all requirements are met.Step 3: Product Testing Coordination
We help you set up product testing with top BIS-recognized labs. This ensures testing is done right and on schedule.Step 4: Factory Inspection Preparation & Coordination
Instacertify organizes the factory inspection by BIS officials. This is key for certification. Our experts do a pre-inspection audit to check if your factory meets BIS standards.Step 5: Post-Inspection Documentation and Follow-Up
Step 6: Grant of BIS ISI Certification License
After your product meets all BIS standards and the inspection goes well, Instacertify helps get the BIS ISI Mark Certification. We guide on marking and labeling to make sure the ISI mark and CM/L number are shown correctly on your products.Step 7: Post-Certification Support
After your product meets all BIS standards and the inspection goes well, Instacertify helps get the BIS ISI Mark Certification. We guide on marking and labeling to make sure the ISI mark and CM/L number are shown correctly on your products.Products Covered
1. Electrical Appliances:
like refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, and air conditioners. Also, Electrical Equipment such as transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, and electrical motors.2. Electronics:
like televisions, audio systems, and electronic toys. Also, Mobile phones, landline phones, and related accessories.3. Building Materials:
like cement, rebars, structural steel, and other steel products. Ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles, and other flooring materials.4. Household Goods:
items like plastic containers, household utensils, and storage solutions. Also, all types of toys, especially for children under 14 years.5. Industrial Products:
such as Pipes and Fittings (Including PVC, CPVC, and other types of pipes and fittings used in construction and plumbing). And Safety Equipment Products like helmets, goggles, and safety footwear.6. Food and Beverage:
like Packaging materials and containers that come into contact with food.7. Automotive Components:
like tires, batteries, and safety equipment for vehicles.8. Adhesives and Sealants:
Construction and industrial adhesives and sealants. Paints and Varnishes: Various types of paints, coatings, and varnishes. The BIS has a detailed list of Indian Standards (IS) for these product categories. We help Foreign manufacturers make sure their products meet the right IS. The BIS ISI Mark certification is often mandatory for products in these categories before they can be imported, marketed, or sold in India. Certain products must follow guidelines and standards based on their use. This ensures they meet quality and safety requirements.Costs
- Application fees.
- Testing fees for lab analysis.
- Inspection charges for factory audits.
- License fee payable annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. Foreign manufacturers use the same ISI mark as domestic ones. However, they must obtain a license under the FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme). The mark on their product will still look like the standard ISI logo (with the IS number and CM/L license number). Key Requirement: They must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to handle the liaison with BIS in India.
Ans. Yes. Foreign companies can (and often must) get certified if they want to export goods to India that fall under mandatory certification. They apply through the FMCS department of BIS.
Ans. For imported goods, the foreign factory (not the Indian importer) must hold the BIS license. The goods must carry the ISI Mark (or CRS Registration mark for electronics) before they enter Indian customs. If a product is on the “Mandatory List” and arrives without a BIS mark, it will be seized by Customs.
This is a common confusion, but they are not comparable in terms of “better.” BIS is the organization (The Bureau). ISI is the mark (The Seal of Quality). Analogy: BIS is like the “University,” and the ISI Mark is the “Degree.” You need the University (BIS) to give you the Degree (ISI Mark).
Ans. The list is constantly updated by the government (Quality Control Orders). Key categories include: Chemicals: Caustic soda, boric acid. Steel: TMT bars, structural steel. Toys: All electric and non-electric toys. Electronics (CRS Scheme): Laptops, phones, adapters, LED lights. Safety Gear: Helmets, safety shoes. Baby Products: Feeding bottles.
The fee structure consists of several parts (approximate for domestic manufacturers): Application Fee: ₹1,000 (Non-refundable). Audit/Inspection Fee: ~₹7,000 per man-day (plus travel costs for officials). Annual License Fee: ₹1,000 per year. Marking Fee: This is the main cost. It is a volume-based fee calculated on how many units you produce (e.g., ₹0.50 per unit, with a minimum yearly commitment). Note: Fees for foreign manufacturers (FMCS) are higher and often paid in USD.
Ans. (This is similar to Q5). Generally, products related to health, safety, and infrastructure require the ISI mark (Scheme I). Examples: Cement, Gas Cylinders, Food Products (Milk powder), Medical devices (X-ray equipment), and Tyres. Note: Electronics (like phones) technically use a different mark called the “Standard Mark with Registration Number” under Scheme II, often just called “BIS Registration.”
Here is the simplified process for a domestic manufacturer: Register: Create an account on the BIS Manak Online portal. Submit Application: Fill Form-V and pay the application fee. Lab Test: You must have an in-house lab. BIS officials will visit, check your lab, and draw samples Independent Test: The samples are sent to a third-party BIS-recognized lab. Grant of License: If the factory visit is successful and the independent lab report is “Pass,” the license is granted.
Ans. Only Manufacturers. Traders, Retailers, Wholesalers, and Importers cannot apply for a BIS license. The license is granted to a specific “Factory Location.” If you have two factories, you need two separate licenses.
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