ISI

ISI certification refers to the process of obtaining the ISI mark, which stands for Indian Standards Institute. The ISI mark is a certification mark for industrial products in India, indicating that they conform to the Indian standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), formerly known as the Indian Standards Institute.

Established in 1947, the BIS is the national standards body of India, responsible for developing standards and ensuring quality and safety across various industries. The ISI mark certifies that a product meets specific criteria related to quality, safety, performance, and other relevant parameters as defined by the applicable Indian standard.

Description

The process of obtaining ISI registration typically involves the following steps: 

Product Testing: The manufacturer submits samples of the product to a BIS-approved laboratory for testing against the relevant Indian standard(s). The testing evaluates various aspects such as material composition, performance, durability, and safety.

Factory Inspection: After successful testing, BIS may conduct an inspection of the manufacturing facility to verify that the production processes comply with the prescribed standards and quality control measures.

Granting of ISI Mark: If the product meets all the requirements, BIS grants permission to use the ISI mark on the product. The ISI mark is usually affixed to the product or its packaging as a visible indication of compliance with Indian standards.

ISI registration is mandatory for certain products listed under the BIS certification scheme, including electrical appliances, automotive components, construction materials, food products, and others. It ensures that consumers have access to safe and quality products in the Indian market, thereby promoting consumer confidence and protection.

For manufacturers, obtaining ISI registration demonstrates their commitment to quality and compliance with national standards, which can enhance their reputation, facilitate market access, and help in meeting regulatory requirements.


Frequently Asked Questions

Browse practical answers curated by our CA and CS desks for ISI.

Basics & Applicability

The ISI mark is a standards-compliance certification granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that signifies a product meets a prescribed Indian Standard (IS) with respect to safety, quality and performance.

No. It is mandatory for certain product categories (e.g., electrical appliances, cement, LPG cylinders) under government orders, while for other items it may be voluntary.

Any manufacturer (Indian or foreign) producing goods that fall under the relevant Indian Standard can apply — provided they meet BIS requirements for testing, factory audit and compliance.

The ISI mark license number typically appears as “CM/L-XXXXXXX” (for example) under the ISI mark logo, along with the IS standard number.

Process, Documents & Timeline

Steps include: identifying the applicable Indian Standard, testing product samples in BIS-recognised labs, submitting application (Form V) to BIS, factory audit & inspection, and licence grant if compliant.

Documents often include: legal entity proof (e.g., company incorporation), factory address proof, list of machinery & production capacity, test reports from authorised labs, flow chart of manufacturing process.

On average, the process may take 30 to 90 days or more depending on product type, lab testing time, factory audit and completeness of application.

Yes. The ISI licence has validity (commonly one year or as specified) and must be renewed periodically; surveillance / audit inspections may continue after grant.

Benefits, Compliance & Risks

 Benefits include consumer trust (quality assurance), eligibility to sell in regulated markets, competitive advantage, reduced risk of product rejection or legal issues, and enhanced brand credibility.

 Manufacturer must ensure ongoing conformity: correct marking of products, maintain quality control, allow factory inspections, test batch samples, maintain records. Non-conformity may lead to suspension.

Misuse of ISI mark is punishable under law. Products may be banned, licence cancelled, heavy fines and reputational damage may follow.

 No guarantee — while it sets a strong foundation for quality assurance, actual product performance, market acceptance and business success still depend on many operational factors.

How BizPriest Can Assist You

BizPriest offers end-to-end support — determining the correct Indian Standard, preparing documentation & test reports, liaising with BIS, coordinating factory audits, and guiding you through marking and certification.

You’ll need manufacturing unit details, list of product(s) for certification, previous test reports (if any), production capacity & machinery list, identity/address proofs of entity.

Yes — BizPriest supports renewals, addition of new product models under the same licence, modifications in factory premises or scope and helps maintain compliance between audits.

Because the ISI process involves technical testing, regulatory inspections, mark misuse risks and documentation — BizPriest reduces errors, ensures faster processing, avoids compliance pitfalls and frees you to focus on your business.

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