BIS Product Certification (ISI Mark) for foreign manufacturers

The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is a key initiative by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), launched in the year 2000. This scheme allows foreign manufacturers to obtain a BIS Certificate for import in India, enabling them to use the prestigious ISI mark on their products. Governed under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS Act, 2016 and the Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018, FMCS ensures that imported goods meet Indian quality and safety standards.
To grant a BIS licence to the foreign manufacturers, Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) of BIS, is the only eligible authority in India. The major motive of FMCD for granting a Manufacturing certificate to foreign manufactures is that the Indian public get good quality, safe and reliable products.

FMCS is a dedicated certification scheme developed exclusively for foreign manufacturers (not for Traders & Importers). It authorizes them to use the ISI mark—a symbol of trust and quality in India—on the products which have been made mandatory through various quality control orders (QCO). This scheme not only ensures compliance with Indian Standards but also enhances product credibility among Indian consumers.

Under the foreign manufacturers certification scheme (FMCS), the key parametres for this process are:

• Appointment/nomination of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
• Performance Bank Gaurantee (PBG) of USD 10000.00.
• Indemanity Bond.
• BIS Agreement with the foriegn manufacturer. 
   

BIS Standard Mark/ISI Mark
The BIS Standard Mark, or ISI Mark, includes a license number formatted as 'CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX' at the bottom of the ISI Mark, with the Indian standard number positioned above it. This mark is granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards following the successful issuance of a BIS certificate.
 

The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), operated by the BIS, has many advantages for foreign manufacturers, exporting their product in the Indian market. Few of them are given below:

Hassle-free Entry of BIS marked (ISI mark) product to Indian market

• FMCS facilitates the foreign manufacturers to legally sell their products in India by providing them a valid BIS licence after verification and compliance of all mandatory requirements, prescribed by BIS.

Legal Use of ISI Mark

• After grant of a BIS licence under FMCS of BIS, the foreign manufacturer is legally authorized to use BIS Standard mark (ISI mark) on their product, especially when the product is under mandatory certification through the Quality Control Order (QCO), issued by Govt. of India.

Increased Product Credibility

• BIS certification assures Indian consumers of product quality, safety, and compliance, giving certified foreign manufacturers an edge over uncertified competitors.

Enhanced Consumer Trust

• The certified products with BIS standard mark (ISI Mark) are considered as reliable and therefore help the foreign manufacturers in building strong consumer confidence in India.

To obtain a BIS License under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme, the foreign manufacturer requires to comply with the following requirements:

1. The Applicant must be a Foreign Manufacturer

• Only a manufacturer, having legal entity, is eligible to apply and not the Importers, traders, distributors, or agents.

2. Compliance with Indian Standard (IS)

• The product to be certified must conform to the relevant Indian Standard (IS).
• The product should fall under the mandatory certification or be voluntarily opted for certification.

3. Manufacturing & Testing facility at Factory premises

• The applicant must have a well-established manufacturing facility with complete testing facilities and competent testing personnel.

4. Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

• Appointment/Nomination of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) by the foreign manufacturer.
• The AIR will act as a liaison between BIS and the foreign manufacturer.

5. Scheme of Inspection & Testing (SIT) and advance annual marking fee

• Acceptance of SIT advance minimum marking fee (MMF) of the relevant Indian Standard.

6. Separate Application for Each IS Standard and Factory Location

• A separate application is required for each Indian Standard and each manufacturing location

Foreign manufacturers aiming to export products to India must obtain BIS certification under the FMCS. The process involves the following steps:

1.Determine Applicability
  Identify if your product complies with the requirements of the relevant Indian Standard (IS).

2.Nominate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)
  Appoint/Nominate an AIR, who will act as a liaison between foreign manufacturer and BIS. 

3.Submit Application
  Complete the application form and submit it along with the required documents and application fee at FMCD, BIS HQ, New Delhi, India.

4.Scrutiny of Application 
  FMCD BIS scrutinizes the application for its completeness and inform the application number to the applicant after recording the application.

5.Nomination of BIS officer for preliminary inspection 
  After satisfactory scrutiny of the application, the BIS officer is nominated for the       
  preliminary inspection at the manufacturing premises.
   
6.Preliminary Inspection
  The nominated BIS officer will conduct an inspection at the manufacturing unit for verification of the declared manufacturing & testing facilities and to assess the manufacturing & testing     
  capabilities, through testing of the products in the factory. and independent testing in BIS approved laboratory according to relevant Indian Standard.

7.Product Testing
  Drawl of product sample(s) in presence of BIS officer and send to a BIS-recognized laboratory for independent testing to verify conformity with the relevant Indian Standard.

8.Scrutiny of inspection & test report(s) 
  The inspection and the test report(s) are scrutinized by FMCD for their completeness and correctness.

9.Consider Grant of License
  Upon successful inspection & testing and complying all other formalities like deposition of requisite fee, BIS issues a license authorizing the manufacturer to use the Standard Mark (ISI   
  Mark) on the relevant product for a period of one year. The licence may be renewed for a further period of one year

10.Surveillance Inspection 
   As per procedure, BIS may conduct surveillance inspection (once in year) to ensure ongoing compliance. 

BIS Fee under its FMCS Scheme I, for foreign Applicants & Licensees are as given below:

Important Notes

• Payment Currency:
  • Non-SAARC Countries: All payments must be made in equivalent USD.
  • SAARC Countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka): Payment accepted in INR with applicable GST or equivalent USD.
• Bank Transfer Details (BIS Official Account):
  • Bank Name: Canara Bank
  • Branch Address: BIS Branch, Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi
  • Account Number: 90842180024625
  • SWIFT Code (for USD transfers): CNRBINBBBFD
  • IFSC Code (for INR transfers): CNRB0019084
• Other Instructions:
  • All charges exclude bank commission/transfer charges.
  • Ensure the exact net amount (after forex and transfer deductions) is credited to the BIS account.
  • All BIS visits under FMCS are treated as Special Visits.
     

• Application form (Form V)
• Authority letter by CEO of company in favour of the Authorized signatory on company's letterhead (Applicable only in case the application is not signed by CEO of the company).
• Address proof from the Govt. /Ministry of Country (the applicant’s location/premises of your regd. office & factory).
• Declaration of Manufacturing Machinery.
• Process flow chart in line with the manufacturing machinery.
• Declaration of Test Equipment.
• Calibration Certificates of all relevant test equipment.
• Details of Quality Control/Testing Person.
• Raw Material Details.
• In-house Test Report of the Product as per relevant Indian Standard.
• Detailed Factory Layout Plan.
• Proof of Payment (POP) of online payment of Application fee INR 1000.00 (in equivalent USD)
• General Undertaking/Declaration.
• Factory Location Plan, clearly describing in a manner, the BIS officer could easily locate the applicant’s premises.
• Any other document (optional) like Management System Certification.
• Brand name declaration
• Lot offer letter for BIS sampling and Inspection
• Acceptance of Product Manual (PM)/ Scheme of Inspection & Testing (SIT)
• Acceptance of advance annual minimum marking fee
• Nomination of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
• AIR Agreement with the foreign manufacturer.
• BIS Agreement with Foreign Licensee (this document is to be submitted by AIR on behalf of Licensee, within 15 days from the date of grant of licence).
• Indemnity Bond (this document is to be submitted by AIR on behalf of Licensee, within 15 days from the date of grant of licence).
• Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) (this document is to be submitted by the Indian branch of bank of Licensee, within 45 days from the date of grant of licence)  
   

                                      Click here for full BIS Product List
 

1. The manufacturer shall nominate and appoint a person as his authorised representative located in India after obtaining all necessary permission or sanctions, if required, under the Indian laws, setting out the terms and conditions of such appointment in writing, whose nomination shall be duly communicated to BIS in writing.

2. The authorised representative may either be in-charge or a senior officer of the Indian office or a legally appointed agent of the manufacturer in India. The nomination by the manufacturer shall be given on letterhead in the format prescribed.

3. The form containing nomination of the authorised representative by the manufacturer either at the time of execution of this agreement or at the time of fresh appointment during the continuation of this agreement, shall also contain the signature of such authorised representative who has been so appointed, in token of his consent and confirmation of the terms and conditions of this agreement and to signify his willingness for compliance of various provision of agreement/ BIS Act, 2016, and rules and regulations there under. 

4. The authorised representative appointed shall be deemed to be a person having ultimate control over the affairs of manufacturer in India for the purposes of this agreement and as such shall be responsible for all due compliance of terms and conditions of this agreement as also provisions of BIS Act, 2016 and the rules and made thereunder and shall continue to be so till another authorised representative is appointed in his place in accordance with the terms of the agreement. 

5. The authorised representative shall remain bound to comply or adhere to the terms and conditions of this agreement, the provisions of BIS Act, 2016, and rules and regulations there under for and on behalf of manufacturer and thus shall be responsible and liable for all the acts and omissions and violations of the terms of the agreement or provisions of BIS Act, 2016, and rules and regulations thereunder framed thereunder in his personal capacity.

6. The manufacturer shall ensure that his authorised representative does not remain un-represented at any time during the continuation of this agreement, on account of any reasons whatsoever and shall further ensure that the authorised representative already nominated is substituted or another authorised representative is freshly nominated in the records of BIS well before the incumbent authorised representative is relieved of his obligations or liabilities under this agreement.

7. It is understood and agreed between the parties that this clause is an essence of this agreement, and any violation of this clause shall authorise BIS to terminate or determine this agreement forthwith, whether formally determined or terminated or not, and take steps for cancellation of his licence.

8. It is agreed that such determination will be without prejudice to the other rights of BIS available to it under the BIS Act, 2016, and rules and regulations framed thereunder or under this agreement.

9. The BIS shall be entitled to terminate this agreement forthwith in the event it is revealed to or comes to the knowledge of BIS that the manufacturer has failed to comply with the terms of this clause except that in the event of death of authorised representative during the continuation of this agreement, the manufacturer shall be entitled to nominate a new authorised representative within twenty-one days of the date of death of such authorised representative failing which provisions of clause 3.6 shall apply mutatis-mutandis.

10. It is agreed that in the event the authorised representative nominated by manufacturer severs his relationship or connection with the manufacturer and no new authorised representative is appointed in his place in terms of clause 3.6 hereinabove by manufacturer before earlier authorised representative being discharged or relieved well within the time, then notwithstanding determination or termination of this agreement, the earlier authorised representative shall remain liable and responsible for all the acts or omissions or violations of the terms and conditions of this agreement or provisions of BIS Act, 2016, and rules and regulations framed thereunder, committed till the time of his resignation or discharge. 

 

KMA Global is driven by unmatched expertise in BIS certification. Our leadership includes:

• Mr. Mahim Jain, Former Deputy Director General (Certification) & Head of FMCD, BIS
• Mr. Ajay Kumar Bhatnagar, Former Senior Director, BIS

With a combined experience of over 60 years in certification activities, particularly under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), they provide strategic guidance and technical oversight that sets us apart.

1. End-to-End Support

We provide comprehensive support throughout the entire BIS certification process—from application to grant of licence. Our team handles:

• Documentation preparation & application submission
• Coordination with BIS authorities
• Query resolution
• Pre-inspection guidance
• Post-inspection compliance support

As your Consultant & Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), we ensure a smooth and structured journey for foreign manufacturers.

2. Proven Track Record

KMA Global has successfully facilitated BIS licences for over 30 foreign manufacturers, spanning diverse sectors. Several other clients are currently under different stages of the certification process.

Both our leaders, during their tenure in BIS have conducted several Inspection in various part of the World under FMCS of BIS.

3. Quick Turnaround & BIS Query Resolution

Our in-depth understanding of the BIS Act, Rules, Regulations, and working methodology enables us to:

• Anticipate and address BIS queries effectively & timely
• Avoid delays and rejections
• Ensure seamless communication with BIS officials
• Achieve faster grant of licences

Foreign manufacturers benefit from our ability to simplify complex requirements and expedite certification timelines.

4. Updated Knowledge of Bureau of Indian Standards Act, Rules & Regulations

Our leadership’s deep involvement in BIS policy, implementation, and inspections gives us real-time understanding of evolving BIS standards, guidelines, and regulatory changes.
We ensure that all client documentation and systems align with the latest BIS requirements, eliminating guesswork.

5. Personalized Service for Every Client

We treat each client as a strategic partner, offering:

• Customized certification roadmaps
• Dedicated point-of-contact
• Tailored timelines and technical solutions
• Transparent communication throughout

Whether you’re applying for your first BIS licence or expanding product categories, we adapt to your needs with precision.

Looking for ISI Mark Certification For Indian Manufacturers,
visit our ISI Mark Certification for Domestic Manufacturers page to understand how we can support you.

Looking for BIS Scheme X Certification on Heavy Machinery & Electrical products)
Explore our BIS Scheme X page to understand mandatory BIS requirements for both Foreign & Domestic manufacturers.