Frequently Asked Questions
BIS certification, Indian Standards, and working with Complyr.
BIS and Indian Standards
What is BIS?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body, established under the BIS Act 2016. It develops Indian Standards (IS), operates product certification schemes (ISI Mark, FMCS, CRS), and administers hallmarking for gold and silver.
What is an Indian Standard (IS)?
An Indian Standard is a technical document specifying requirements for materials, products, processes, or services. Standards are identified by an IS number (e.g., IS 277) and year of publication or revision.
What is a Quality Control Order (QCO)?
A QCO is a government notification making compliance with a specific Indian Standard mandatory. Products under a QCO cannot be manufactured, sold, or imported without the required BIS certification (typically ISI Mark or CRS registration).
How do I know if my product needs mandatory BIS certification?
Check whether your product's IS number appears in a notified QCO. Complyr's QCO Tracker lists all active QCOs. You can also search our database by IS number or product category.
ISI Mark (Scheme I)
Who can apply for an ISI Mark?
Only manufacturers with production facilities in India can apply for an ISI Mark under Scheme I. Foreign manufacturers must use FMCS (Scheme II).
How long does ISI Mark certification take?
Typically 10–18 weeks from application submission to licence grant, depending on the IS standard, lab testing queue, and BIS office workload.
What is the annual fee for an ISI Mark licence?
Annual fees depend on the IS standard and your production turnover. Fees typically range from ₹1,000 to ₹15,000 per year, plus per-unit marking fees. BIS publishes the fee schedule for each standard.
Can I have multiple products on one ISI Mark licence?
No. Each ISI Mark licence covers one specific product conforming to one IS standard. Multiple products require separate licences.
FMCS (Scheme II)
What is FMCS?
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (Scheme II) allows overseas manufacturers to certify their products for the Indian market. It is the only path to legal import for QCO-covered products manufactured outside India.
Do I need a local entity in India for FMCS?
Yes. You must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) — an entity registered in India. The AIR interfaces with BIS on your behalf.
How long does FMCS take?
Typically 6–12 months. The main bottleneck is scheduling the BIS overseas factory inspection.
CRS (Electronics)
What products require CRS registration?
Electronics and IT products covered under the Electronics and IT Goods QCOs — including mobile phones, laptops, tablets, LED lights, chargers, power banks, TVs, Wi-Fi routers, UPS, and more.
Is CRS registration product-model specific?
Yes. CRS registration is issued per product model. You must register each model separately, though the process can be batched for efficiency.
Can importers (not manufacturers) apply for CRS?
Yes. Indian importers of foreign-made electronics must obtain CRS registration before importing. The importer applies as the responsible party.
Working with Complyr
Is Complyr affiliated with BIS?
No. Complyr is an independent BIS certification consultancy. We are not affiliated with BIS or any government body. We assist clients in navigating the BIS certification process.
What does Complyr charge?
We charge a fixed consultancy fee per engagement. Government fees (BIS application fee, lab charges) are billed separately at cost. See our pricing page for details.
How do I get started?
Contact us via our enquiry form or email. We'll assess your product, identify the applicable IS standard and scheme, and provide a fixed-fee proposal.