[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification IndiaBIS / FMC # BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification (FMC) BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification (FMC) is the route for overseas factories to obtain the ISI Mark for product categories requiring physical factory inspection. Unlike CRS which is documentation-based, FMC requires BIS officers to physically visit your facility abroad — and the manufacturer pays all travel costs for those inspectors. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fbis-fmc-certification) At a glance FMC vs CRS comparison points 6 Application steps 6 Typical timeline 3–6 months ## FMC vs CRS: key differences AspectFMC (ISI Mark)CRS (Standard Mark) PurposeCertifies the manufacturing process and factory quality system at an overseas facilityRegisters a product model based on test reports — no factory visit by BIS Factory inspectionMandatory — BIS inspectors physically visit the overseas factoryNot required — documentation-based registration When applicableRequired for ISI Mark for some product categories when manufactured overseasApplies to products on the CRS compulsory registration list Standard MarkISI Mark (IS standard) can be applied after FMC grantStandard Mark with R-Number applied after CRS registration CostHigher — includes factory inspection travel costs and BIS feesLower — application and test fees only Typical timeline3–6 months including factory inspection scheduling1–2 months for documentation-based review ## FMC application process 01 ### Confirm FMC requirement for your product category Not all products require FMC — check whether your product is on the ISI mandatory list requiring FMC for foreign manufacturers. Some categories only require CRS; others mandate FMC. Refer to the relevant BIS product schedule and sector-specific Quality Control Order. 02 ### Appoint Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) Foreign manufacturers must appoint an AIR before applying for FMC. The AIR must have a registered office in India and acts as the local liaison for all BIS correspondence, inspection scheduling, and post-certification obligations. 03 ### Prepare factory for BIS inspection BIS inspectors will audit your factory against the applicable IS standard's manufacturing requirements. Prepare: manufacturing process documentation, quality control records, calibration certificates for test equipment, raw material traceability records, and trained personnel to accompany inspectors. 04 ### Submit FMC application on BIS portal The AIR submits the online FMC application with factory details, product specifications, quality management documentation, and pays the application fee. BIS schedules factory inspection after initial document review. 05 ### Factory inspection by BIS team A BIS team (typically 2-3 officers) visits the factory. Inspection covers: manufacturing equipment, quality control processes, testing facilities, product sampling, and record-keeping. Overseas inspection travel costs are borne by the manufacturer. 06 ### Grant of FMC and ongoing surveillance If the factory passes inspection, BIS grants FMC allowing use of the ISI Mark on covered products. FMC is subject to periodic surveillance inspections — typically one unannounced inspection per year. ## Required documents 01Factory registration / company incorporation documents 02ISO 9001 quality management certificate (strongly recommended, may be required for some categories) 03Manufacturing process flowchart with quality control checkpoints 04List of manufacturing machinery with maintenance and calibration records 05List of in-house testing equipment with calibration certificates 06Raw material procurement records showing traceability 07Quality control personnel names and qualifications 08Product specification sheets and drawing package 09Authorized Indian Representative appointment letter 10AIR registration documents and India address proof ## Common compliance pitfalls Applying for FMC when CRS is the applicable scheme — confirm which scheme applies before initiating AIR without a physical Indian address — PO boxes or virtual offices are not accepted Factory inspection readiness: unprepared staff who cannot explain QC procedures to inspectors Calibration records not available for in-house test equipment at time of inspection Non-compliance with sub-contracting rules — BIS must be notified if any manufacturing is sub-contracted Assuming ISO 9001 automatically satisfies BIS factory requirements — BIS inspects against IS standard, not ISO ## Frequently asked questions ### Who pays for BIS inspectors to travel to an overseas factory? The manufacturer pays all costs associated with the BIS factory inspection, including international airfare, accommodation, visa, and daily allowances for BIS officers. These costs are in addition to the BIS application and certification fees. For factories in distant countries, this can add ₹3–8 lakh (approximately $3,500–10,000) to the total certification cost. This is one reason many foreign manufacturers explore whether CRS (which does not require factory inspection) is a viable alternative for their product. ### Does FMC certification cover all products made at the factory? No. FMC certification is product-specific and standard-specific. If you manufacture multiple products at the same factory and want ISI Mark for multiple categories, you need separate FMC applications for each product category with separate IS standards. However, a single factory inspection may cover multiple product applications if scheduled together, reducing the overall inspection travel cost. ### Can I use the ISI Mark on products after getting FMC? Yes. FMC grants the right to apply the ISI Mark (BIS Standard Mark) to covered products. The ISI Mark must include the BIS logo, IS standard number, and the manufacturer's licence number. Products sold without the ISI Mark after FMC is granted, or with counterfeit marks, are violations under the BIS Act 2016. ### What happens during a BIS surveillance inspection? Surveillance inspections are typically unannounced. BIS officers may visit annually or more frequently if compliance issues have been identified. They check: manufacturing processes match the certified process, quality records are maintained, test equipment is calibrated, products being produced conform to specifications, and the ISI Mark is being applied correctly. Non-compliance found during surveillance can lead to FMC suspension or cancellation. **Disclaimer:** This guide reflects current BIS FMC procedures under the BIS Act 2016. Inspection fees, travel cost policies, and product applicability are subject to change by BIS notifications. Always verify current requirements on the official BIS portal before initiating an FMC application. 🇮🇳 India roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇮🇳 India compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/25-india-bis-qco-expansion-electrical-electronic-appliances-2026)[Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/25-india-bis-qco-expansion-electrical-electronic-appliances-2026) Related guides * [BIS CRS Certification for ElectronicsComplete guide to BIS CRS registration for electronics and IT products: application process, required documents, test reports, …](/guides/bis-crs-certification-electronics) * [Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for BISComplete guide to the BIS Authorized Indian Representative (AIR): who qualifies, how to appoint them, what the appointment lett…](/guides/bis-air-appointment) * [BIS CRS vs ISI MarkLearn the difference between BIS CRS and ISI Mark certification.](/guides/bis-crs-vs-isi-mark) * [BIS-Recognized vs NABL-Accredited Testing LabsPractical guide to choosing the right testing laboratory in India: difference between BIS-recognized, NABL-accredited, and ILAC…](/guides/india-testing-labs) * [India BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification (FMCS)How overseas manufacturers obtain BIS certification in their own name under FMCS: ISI vs CRS routes, Authorised Indian Representative obligations, factory inspection logistics and costs, and surveillance audit requirements.](/guides/india-bis-foreign-manufacturer-certification)