If you manufacture, import, or sell products in India, you have probably come across the term BIS Certification. And one question comes up again and again:
“Do I really need BIS certification to sell my product in India?”
The answer is not always.
BIS certification is mandatory only for products that are covered under the applicable compulsory certification requirements notified by the Government of India. For other products, certification may be voluntary.
The confusion usually starts because people assume that if a product has an Indian Standard (IS), BIS certification automatically becomes compulsory. That isn't necessarily the case.
Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Every Product?
No.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) develops Indian Standards for a wide range of products, but having an Indian Standard does not by itself mean that every manufacturer or importer must obtain BIS certification.
However, the Government can make BIS certification or conformity assessment mandatory for specific products through regulations such as Quality Control Orders (QCOs).
If your product is covered by such a requirement, you cannot simply start selling it without meeting the applicable requirements.
This is particularly important for businesses dealing with products such as electronic and electrical goods, toys, steel products and several other regulated categories.
What Happens If Your Product Requires BIS Certification?
If a product is covered by a mandatory BIS requirement, the business may need to obtain the applicable BIS licence, registration or conformity assessment approval before manufacturing, importing or selling the product in India.
For an importer, this is especially important.
You cannot assume that because the product was legally manufactured in another country, it can automatically be imported and sold in India. Indian regulatory requirements can still apply to the imported product.
What If My Product Is Not Covered?
If your product is not covered by a compulsory BIS requirement, you may not be legally required to obtain BIS certification merely because an Indian Standard exists for it.
In some cases, businesses may still choose voluntary BIS certification.
This can be useful when demonstrating that a product conforms to a relevant Indian Standard and when building confidence among customers, distributors or business partners.
But there is an important distinction:
Voluntary certification is different from a mandatory BIS requirement.
How Do You Know If Your Product Needs BIS Certification?
This is where businesses should be careful.
Don't make the decision based only on your product name or what another company in your industry is doing.
Start by identifying:
- The exact product and its specifications
- The applicable Indian Standard, if any
- Whether the product is covered by a Quality Control Order (QCO)
- The applicable BIS certification or conformity assessment scheme
- Any product-specific testing, marking or documentation requirements
The same broad product category can contain different products with different regulatory requirements, so checking the exact product is important.
Can You Start Selling Now and Get BIS Certification Later?
If BIS certification is mandatory for your product, this can create serious problems.
A business shouldn't manufacture or import large quantities and then discover that the product requires mandatory certification.
This can lead to delayed product launches, blocked inventory, additional costs and regulatory complications.
For this reason, BIS requirements should ideally be checked before manufacturing, importing or launching the product in India.
The Bottom Line
So, can a product be sold in India without BIS certification?
Yes, if BIS certification is not mandatory for that particular product.
But if the product is covered under a compulsory BIS requirement, the applicable certification or registration needs to be completed before the product is legally placed on the Indian market.
The safest approach is simple: don't assume your product needs BIS — and don't assume it doesn't. Check the applicable requirement first.
If you're a manufacturer, importer or brand owner and aren't sure whether your product requires BIS Certification, BIS CRS Registration, ISI Mark certification or another conformity assessment, getting the requirement assessed before launching the product can save significant time and cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BIS certification compulsory in India?
Not for every product. It is mandatory for products covered under applicable government notifications and compulsory certification requirements.
Can I sell a product without BIS if there is an Indian Standard for it?
Possibly. The existence of an Indian Standard does not automatically make certification compulsory. You need to check whether a mandatory requirement applies to your product.
Do imported products also require BIS certification?
Yes, where the applicable Indian regulatory requirement makes BIS certification or conformity assessment mandatory for that product.
How can I check whether my product requires BIS certification?
Identify the exact product and applicable Indian Standard, then check the latest compulsory certification requirements and relevant Quality Control Orders applicable to it.