Breaking News: India Grants First-Ever BIS Licence for Nickel Salts (IS 1809:2024)

The Indian electroplating and surface-finishing industry has just witnessed a monumental milestone. For manufacturers supplying critical chemicals to the automotive, electronics, and aerospace sectors, the regulatory landscape is rapidly shifting toward uncompromising quality.

On March 10, 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) officially announced the grant of the All India First (AIF) Licence for “Nickel Salts for Electroplating” under the newly revised standard, IS 1809:2024. This is not just an administrative update; it is a massive leap forward for chemical manufacturing standards in India.

Whether you are a chemical manufacturer, an importer, or a large-scale electroplating facility, this news directly impacts your supply chain. Here is a deep dive into the latest notification, what the IS 1809:2024 standard entails, and why your business needs to pay close attention.

Breaking News: The First BIS Licence Holder

According to the official circular released by the Central Marks Department-2 of the BIS, the first-ever license for this crucial category has been officially awarded.

Here are the key details of this landmark certification:

• Product: Nickel Salts for Electroplating
• Applicable Standard: IS 1809: 2024
• Licensee Name: M/s MALCO Energy Limited
• Licence Number: 6800163112
• Granting Authority: Hubli Branch Office
• Manufacturing Location: Cuncolim Industrial Estate, South Goa, Goa – 403703

This announcement officially sets the benchmark. M/s MALCO Energy Limited has paved the way, proving that the stringent purity and manufacturing requirements of IS 1809:2024 can be successfully met and certified.

Understanding IS 1809:2024: Why Do Nickel Salts Need Certification?

If you are in the electroplating business, you know that the “bath” is everything. Nickel salts—such as nickel sulfate, nickel chloride, and nickel sulfamate—are the absolute backbone of these plating baths. They provide the essential nickel ions required to deposit a smooth, corrosion-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing coating onto substrates like steel, brass, or plastics.

The revised standard, IS 1809:2024, lays down the strict physicochemical requirements that these salts must meet. But why is this level of regulation so important?

1. Eradicating Harmful Impurities:

Even trace amounts of impurities like copper, iron, zinc, or lead in a nickel salt can cause catastrophic failures in the plating process. Impurities lead to brittle deposits, poor adhesion (peeling), dark or dull patches, and significantly reduced corrosion resistance. IS 1809:2024 ensures that certified salts have ultra-low impurity profiles.

2. Ensuring Bath Stability:

Electroplaters rely on consistent chemical behavior. Substandard salts can cause the pH of the plating bath to fluctuate wildly, leading to increased downtime, higher rejection rates, and wasted materials. Certified salts guarantee uniform dissolution and stable bath conductivity.

3. Promoting High-End Applications:

With India’s manufacturing sector expanding into high-tech arenas like semiconductor fabrication, medical device manufacturing, and aerospace engineering, “good enough” electroplating is no longer acceptable. These industries require zero-defect tolerances, which start with ISI-marked, certified raw materials.

Ripple Effect: What This Means for Other Manufacturers

The granting of the All India First Licence is a wake-up call for the rest of the market. Here is how this development will reshape the industry:

1. A Shift in Buyer Preference: Large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and tier-1 suppliers are increasingly demanding BIS-certified raw materials to meet their own quality audits. Now that a certified option exists in the market, buyers will naturally gravitate toward it to reduce their own production risks.
2. Competitive Disadvantage for the Uncertified: Manufacturers who delay obtaining their BIS license for IS 1809:2024 will soon find themselves locked out of lucrative tenders, especially government contracts and defense sector procurement, which strictly mandate the use of ISI-marked products.
3. Mandatory Quality Control (QCO) Anticipation: Often, the granting of initial licenses precedes strict Quality Control Orders (QCOs) by the government, which can eventually make BIS certification mandatory for the sale and import of a product. Early adopters will navigate this transition smoothly, while laggards will face severe business disruptions.

Pathway to BIS Certification for Nickel Salts

Securing a BIS license under IS 1809:2024 requires a meticulous approach. The certification process generally involves:

1. Preparation and Gap Analysis: Ensuring your manufacturing facility’s in-house testing laboratory is equipped with the precise instruments required by the standard (e.g., spectrophotometers, atomic absorption spectrometers).
2. Application Submission: Filing a flawless application via the BIS portal, complete with all manufacturing flowcharts, machinery details, and quality control personnel credentials.
3. Factory Inspection: A BIS officer will visit the manufacturing premises to audit the production process and draw samples for independent testing.
4. Independent Lab Testing: The drawn samples are sent to a BIS-recognized laboratory to verify compliance against every parameter of IS 1809:2024.
5. Grant of Licence: Upon successful testing and audit closure, the license is granted, allowing the manufacturer to use the coveted ISI mark.

Secure Your Market Lead with Instacertify

Navigating the bureaucratic complexities, technical documentation, and rigorous testing protocols of BIS certification can be overwhelming. One minor error in the application or a single failed test parameter can delay your market entry by months.

That is where Instacertify steps in.

As India’s leading compliance and certification consultancy, we specialize in transforming the complex BIS registration process into a seamless, hassle-free journey. Our team of technical experts understands the precise chemical requirements of standards like IS 1809:2024.

How Instacertify accelerates your success:

• End-to-End Project Management: From the initial gap analysis of your manufacturing unit to the final grant of the license, we handle it all.
• Laboratory Setup Guidance: We advise you on the exact testing equipment required for your in-house lab to ensure a smooth BIS audit.
• Documentation Perfection: Our experts draft flawless Quality Assurance Plans (QAP) and application forms, eliminating the risk of rejection.
• Liaisoning and Follow-ups: We maintain constant communication with BIS officials, ensuring your application moves swiftly through every stage.

The benchmark has been set by M/s MALCO Energy Limited. Do not let your competitors leave you behind. Equip your products with the ultimate symbol of quality and trust.