Indian Compliance
Can a Small Toy Startup Get a BIS Licence? Small Units, Assembly and Low-Budget Start
Many toy startups in India begin in a small workshop, a rented shed or a few rooms, with a handful of moulds or a simple assembly table. The question we hear most often from them is: can a unit like this get a BIS licence, or do you need a big commercial factory first?
The short answer is yes, a small unit can get a BIS licence, and so can a unit that only assembles toys. This guide explains what BIS actually checks, how to start on a low budget, the step-by-step process and the exact government fees.
Why Every Toy Maker Needs a BIS Licence
Under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, in force since 1 January 2021, toys made for children under 14 cannot be made, sold or imported in India without the ISI mark under a BIS licence. This applies to every maker, large or small. Online marketplaces also ask for your BIS licence number before they list a toy.
The good news is that the licence is not reserved for large factories. For the full picture of the scheme, see our complete guide to BIS certification for toys.
Can You Get a Licence from a Small Space?
Yes. BIS does not set a minimum floor area or ask for an industrial building. What BIS checks is the activity and the controls, not the size:
- Manufacturing or assembly happens at the address you apply with. The licence is issued for those premises.
- You have the in-house checks that the BIS product manual for toys lists, so that every batch is inspected before it leaves.
- You keep quality control records: incoming material checks, in-process checks and final inspection.
- You can show proof of the premises, such as an ownership document or rent agreement.
Keep the work area separate and organised, even if it is small: raw materials, assembly, testing and finished goods should each have their own place. It makes the BIS visit straightforward and helps you scale later.
Can You Get BIS If You Only Assemble Toys?
Yes. If you buy parts such as moulded bodies, wheels, fabric or stuffing and assemble the finished toy at your premises, you are the manufacturer of that toy and can hold the BIS licence for it. Many startups begin exactly this way before investing in their own moulds.
As an assembler, two things matter most:
- Control your suppliers. Paint, plastic and fabric decide most test results, especially for heavy metals and phthalates. Fix your suppliers before testing and do not change them without checking.
- Inspect every finished toy. The final check on small parts, sharp edges and secure fixing happens at your unit, and the BIS officer will want to see it.
Which Standard Applies: Non-Electric or Electric Toys
| Type of toy | Indian Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Non-electric toys | IS 9873 series, starting with IS 9873 (Part 1) for mechanical and physical safety | Plastic toys, wooden toys, soft toys, puzzles, ride-ons without motors |
| Electric toys | IS 15644:2006 | Battery-operated cars, toys with lights or sound, remote-control toys |
For electric toys, the process is exactly the same; only the standard and the tests change. Depending on the materials, other parts of IS 9873, such as flammability or heavy metals, may also apply. BIS has also released IS 9873 (Part 1):2025, and the earlier edition can be used until 22 March 2027; read our update on the 2025 revision.
The BIS Licence Process, Step by Step
- Register as a manufacturer. We get your unit registered, including Udyam (MSME) registration for the fee concession and your account on the BIS portal.
- Test your toys. We help you test your toys at a BIS-recognised lab under the right BIS category and the current regulatory policy. See our toy testing services and the guide to IS 9873 and IS 15644 tests.
- Apply. Once the test report is ready, we prepare and file the application with your documents and fees.
- Factory visit. After the application, a BIS officer visits the premises named in it. The officer checks that manufacturing or assembly is taking place there and that you are taking all the quality control measures for the product.
- Licence granted. Once the visit is satisfactory, BIS issues the licence. You can start production with the ISI mark and sell in the market with confidence.
After the licence, keep up your quality checks and records, pay the annual marking fee and keep your licence renewed on time. BIS also tests samples from the factory and the market during surveillance.
Government Fees for a Toy Licence
For IS 9873 (Part 1): Safety of Toys, Safety Aspects Related to Mechanical and Physical Properties, the government fees are:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹1,000 |
| Licence fee | ₹1,000 |
| Audit (factory visit) fee | ₹7,000 |
| Minimum marking fee: large unit | ₹98,000 |
| Minimum marking fee: medium unit | ₹79,000 |
| Minimum marking fee: small unit | ₹49,000 |
| Minimum marking fee: micro unit | ₹19,600 |
GST applies on all fees. Testing starts from ₹8,500, depending on the toy category and which parts of the standard apply. Marking fees for electric toys differ; see the electric toys standard page.
Example for a micro unit: application ₹1,000 + licence ₹1,000 + audit ₹7,000 + marking fee ₹19,600 comes to ₹28,600 in government fees, plus testing from ₹8,500 and GST.
How to Start on a Low Budget
- Register as a micro or small enterprise first. Udyam registration cuts the minimum marking fee from ₹98,000 to as little as ₹19,600.
- Start with one product family. Similar toys made from the same materials can often be covered together, which keeps testing costs down.
- Assemble before you mould. Buying good-quality parts and assembling them lets you get licensed and selling before you invest in moulds and machines.
- Choose materials that pass. Paints and plastics from suppliers who can show test reports for heavy metals and phthalates reduce the risk of a failed test and a costly retest.
- Set up only the checks you need. We tell you which in-house checks the product manual asks for, so you do not spend on equipment you will not use.
For the wider set of rules a toy business deals with, such as packaging labels and exports, see our compliance guide for toy startups.
Transparent Pricing, No Hidden Charges
We keep our consulting fees completely transparent: no hidden fees and no surprise charges. What we quote is what we deliver. Our job is to make certification simple for you, so that our relationship grows as your business grows.
Our experts make sure you stay compliant without cost leakage: the right standard, the right tests and no wasted fees. To start your toy licence, see our BIS ISI mark service for Indian manufacturers or talk to our team.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a BIS licence for toys if I work from a small space and not a commercial factory?
Yes. BIS does not set a minimum factory size. What matters is that the toy is actually made or assembled at the premises named in your application, that you have the in-house checks the BIS product manual asks for, and that you keep quality control records. A BIS officer visits to confirm this before the licence is granted.
Can a toy assembler get BIS certification?
Yes. If you assemble toys from bought-in parts at your premises, you are the manufacturer of the finished toy and can hold the BIS licence for it. You need to control the quality of the parts you buy and inspect every finished toy before it is packed.
Which standard applies to my toy?
Non-electric toys are certified to the IS 9873 series, starting with IS 9873 (Part 1) for mechanical and physical safety. Electric and battery-operated toys are certified to IS 15644:2006. The process is the same for both; only the standard and the tests change.
What are the government fees for a BIS toy licence?
For IS 9873 (Part 1), the application fee is ₹1,000, the licence fee ₹1,000 and the factory audit ₹7,000. The minimum marking fee is ₹98,000 for large, ₹79,000 for medium, ₹49,000 for small and ₹19,600 for micro units. GST applies to all fees.
How much does toy testing cost?
Testing starts from ₹8,500, depending on the toy category and how many parts of the standard apply to it.
Do I need Udyam (MSME) registration?
It is not compulsory for the licence, but it is how a micro or small unit qualifies for the lower marking fee. For a micro unit, the minimum marking fee for IS 9873 (Part 1) drops from ₹98,000 to ₹19,600.
Does a BIS officer visit my unit?
Yes. After the application, a BIS officer inspects the premises to check that manufacturing or assembly is taking place there and that your quality control measures are in place. Once the visit is satisfactory, the licence is issued.