The ISI Mark is India's most recognised product quality symbol, administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). For domestic manufacturers, obtaining an ISI Mark under BIS Scheme I (also called the Product Certification Scheme) is either a legal requirement — if your product falls under a Quality Control Order (QCO) — or a powerful market differentiator if voluntary. This guide walks through the entire process, from confirming whether you need it to what happens after your licence is issued.
What is the ISI Mark?
The ISI Mark (Indian Standards Institute Mark) is a certification mark issued by BIS under the BIS Act, 2016. When a product carries the ISI Mark, it means the manufacturer has demonstrated — through factory inspection and third-party lab testing — that their product conforms to the relevant Indian Standard (IS).
The mark consists of the letters "ISI" inscribed inside a wheel of spokes, accompanied by the IS number, your BIS licence number (CM/L-XXXXXXX), and the year of the standard.
- ›Products under a mandatory QCO cannot be manufactured or sold in India without an ISI Mark
- ›Voluntary ISI Mark is available for any product covered by an IS, even without a QCO
- ›Foreign manufacturers cannot hold an ISI Mark — they must use FMCS (Scheme II)
- ›Each licence covers one product conforming to one specific IS number
Do You Need an ISI Mark? Checking for QCO Coverage
The first step is confirming whether your product is covered by a mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO). A QCO is a government notification — issued by the relevant ministry — that makes BIS certification compulsory for a specific product category. As of 2026, over 500 product categories across steel, cement, electronics, food, electrical goods, chemicals, and more are covered.
You can check QCO coverage by: (1) searching BIS's official IS portal at bis.gov.in, (2) using the Complyr QCO Tracker at /resources/qco-tracker, or (3) contacting Complyr and sharing your product category and HS code — we will confirm within 24 hours whether a QCO applies.
The ISI Mark Application Process — Step by Step
The Scheme I (ISI Mark) certification process involves the following stages:
- ›1. Standard identification — Confirm the correct IS number, the applicable QCO (if any), and the specific product scope
- ›2. Application submission — File Form I with BIS at the regional BIS office covering your factory location, along with initial test reports and factory details
- ›3. Preliminary sample testing — Samples of your product are tested at a BIS-recognised lab to verify conformity with all IS requirements
- ›4. Factory inspection — A BIS officer visits your manufacturing facility to verify production capacity, quality control systems, in-house testing equipment, and product markings
- ›5. Licence grant — BIS issues a CM/L licence number. You can now legally affix the ISI Mark on conforming products
- ›6. Ongoing surveillance — BIS conducts periodic follow-up inspections (typically 1–2 per year) and may draw market samples to verify continued conformity
Documents Required
BIS requires a specific set of documents at the application stage. Missing documents are the single most common cause of delays.
- ›Completed Form I (BIS application form)
- ›Certificate of incorporation / factory registration / MSME certificate
- ›Factory layout plan with dimensions
- ›List of in-house testing equipment with calibration certificates
- ›Test reports from a BIS-recognised lab (not older than 3 months)
- ›Product specification sheet and drawing
- ›Quality manual or documented quality control procedures
- ›List of raw material suppliers with traceability records
- ›Affidavit declaring all information provided is accurate
Fees and Timeline
BIS fees for ISI Mark certification consist of an application fee, a grant of licence fee, and annual marking fees based on production turnover. Additional charges include BIS officer inspection travel costs and lab testing fees (paid to the testing laboratory directly).
Typical timelines vary significantly by IS standard and BIS regional office load. For most common standards, expect 10–18 weeks from application submission to licence grant.
- ›Application fee: ₹1,000 (non-refundable)
- ›Grant of licence fee: ₹18,000–₹25,000 (varies by standard)
- ›Annual marking fee: ₹1,000–₹15,000/year + per-unit fees based on production volume
- ›Lab testing: ₹10,000–₹80,000 depending on the IS standard and number of parameters
- ›BIS officer inspection travel: typically ₹15,000–₹40,000 (billed separately)
- ›MSME concession: up to 80% off government fees for micro enterprises; 20% off for small enterprises
After Licence Grant — Staying Compliant
Holding an ISI Mark licence carries ongoing obligations. Failure to comply can result in suspension or cancellation of the licence, seizure of products from the market, and penalties under the BIS Act.
- ›Affix the ISI Mark on every conforming product, including the CM/L licence number and IS number
- ›Maintain in-house testing records and quality control logs
- ›Submit periodic test reports to BIS (frequency varies by standard)
- ›Immediately inform BIS of any changes to product specifications, raw materials, or manufacturing process
- ›Renew the licence annually and pay applicable marking fees
- ›Co-operate with BIS market surveillance and follow-up factory inspections
Key Takeaways
- ✓ISI Mark (BIS Scheme I) is mandatory for products covered by a Quality Control Order — check QCO status before applying
- ✓Only domestic manufacturers with Indian production facilities can apply; foreign manufacturers must use FMCS
- ✓The process takes 10–18 weeks and involves lab testing + factory inspection by a BIS officer
- ✓MSMEs qualify for significant fee concessions (up to 80% for micro enterprises)
- ✓Post-grant compliance — surveillance inspections, marking, record-keeping — is ongoing and cannot be neglected
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