[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/BIS ISI Mandatory Certification IndiaBIS # BIS ISI Mark Mandatory Certification: Which Electronics Products Require It Beyond CRS BIS CRS is well understood by most electronics companies entering India, but the ISI scheme catches many off guard — particularly companies whose portfolio includes switches, plugs, extension cords, or water heaters. The two schemes run in parallel, serve different products, and carry very different compliance obligations. Knowing which applies to your product is step one. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Findia-bis-isi-mandatory-certification) At a glance Authority Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Mark ISI (Indian Standards Institution) mark Process Factory inspection + product testing required Differs from CRS Factory audit mandatory; ongoing surveillance ## Understanding the ISI certification scheme for electronics ### ISI mark vs CRS — two different BIS certification schemes The ISI mark and the BIS CRS are both administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards but operate under entirely different frameworks. The CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) is a document-based system: test reports from a recognised lab are submitted, and BIS grants registration without a factory inspection. The ISI scheme — established under the BIS Act — requires a factory inspection by BIS officers before certification is granted, along with ongoing surveillance inspections and market sample testing throughout the licence term. The two schemes are not interchangeable. ### Electronics requiring ISI certification Certain electrical accessories and components are notified under ISI mandatory certification rather than CRS, including: switches for domestic purposes (IS 3854), plugs and socket outlets/adaptors (IS 1293), electric water heaters and immersion heaters (IS 2082), and certain wiring accessories and extension cords. BIS updates its mandatory certification notifications periodically via Quality Control Orders (QCOs) — the current list should be verified at the BIS website before assuming any product falls under CRS alone. ### ISI certification process The ISI certification process involves: submitting an application to BIS along with product test reports from a BIS-recognised laboratory to the applicable Indian Standard; undergoing an initial factory inspection by a BIS officer who reviews the quality management system, production processes, and in-house testing equipment; receiving the ISI licence if the factory audit and product tests are satisfactory; and displaying the ISI mark with the assigned licence number on all certified products. Post-grant, BIS conducts annual surveillance inspections and may pull market samples for independent testing. ### ISI marking on product Products holding a valid ISI licence must display the ISI mark prominently on the product itself and on the outer packaging. The mark must include the licence number assigned to the manufacturer by BIS. Use of the ISI mark without a valid BIS licence — or use of a fraudulent mark — constitutes a criminal offence under the BIS Act, 2016, punishable with imprisonment and/or a fine. BIS conducts market surveillance and regularly prosecutes misuse of the mark in Indian courts. ## Getting and maintaining an ISI licence 01 Check the BIS mandatory certification notifications for your product category. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs publishes Quality Control Orders (QCOs) specifying which products require mandatory BIS certification, under which scheme (ISI or CRS), and to which Indian Standard. Verify the current status of your product category at the BIS website (bis.gov.in) and through the most recent QCO gazette notifications — the mandatory list is updated regularly and products can be moved between schemes. 02 Identify the applicable Indian Standard for your product. ISI certification is always granted to a specific IS — for example, IS 1293 for plugs and socket outlets, or IS 3854 for switches. Obtain a copy of the applicable IS from the BIS standard portal and review the technical requirements, which govern design, construction, materials, markings, and test methods. 03 Obtain test reports from a BIS-recognised laboratory to the applicable IS. Unlike CRS, where some foreign lab reports are accepted with BIS recognition, ISI certification generally requires testing at a BIS-recognised domestic laboratory or a lab that BIS has specifically recognised for the relevant IS. Verify the laboratory's recognition status and the scope of its recognition before commissioning tests. 04 Submit the BIS ISI licence application through the BIS Connect portal (manakonline.in). Provide company and factory details, Indian Standard reference, product details, and test reports. Foreign manufacturers apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and must undergo a Foreign Factory Inspection (FFI) by BIS officers — travel and inspection costs are borne by the applicant. The application fee and inspection fee are payable to BIS. 05 Maintain ongoing compliance throughout the licence term. BIS conducts annual factory surveillance inspections and may pull market samples from distributors or retail outlets for independent testing. Identify and address any non-conformity observed during inspections immediately. Ensure the ISI licence is renewed before expiry — a lapsed licence means the ISI mark cannot legally appear on products, and continued use of the mark without a valid licence is a prosecutable offence. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between ISI certification and BIS CRS for electronics? BIS CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) applies primarily to IT equipment, consumer electronics, and certain other products notified under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order. It is a document-based scheme: test reports from a recognised lab are submitted and BIS grants a registration number without a factory inspection. ISI certification, by contrast, applies to specified electrical accessories and components and requires a factory inspection before the licence is granted plus ongoing annual surveillance. Both schemes result in mandatory BIS marks ('R' on the registration certificate for CRS; the ISI triangular mark for ISI), but they are legally distinct certifications applied to different product categories. ### Which electrical accessories require ISI rather than CRS? Common electrical accessories requiring ISI certification include: plugs and socket outlets (IS 1293), switches for domestic and similar purposes (IS 3854), electric immersion water heaters (IS 2082), current-carrying accessories for household and similar purposes, certain extension cords, and flexible cables to specific IS standards. The definitive source is the BIS mandatory certification list and the relevant Quality Control Orders published in the Official Gazette. Companies with product portfolios that include electrical accessories should review the full QCO list rather than assuming CRS applies across all products. ### Can a foreign manufacturer get ISI certification without a factory in India? Yes, through BIS's Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). Under this scheme, foreign manufacturers apply for ISI certification and undergo a Foreign Factory Inspection (FFI) conducted by BIS officers who travel to the overseas factory. The foreign manufacturer bears the cost of the BIS inspection team's travel, accommodation, and per diem in addition to the application fee. An Indian authorised representative (AR) must be appointed to liaise with BIS. The FFI process adds cost and lead time relative to a domestic factory application but is the only route for foreign manufacturers who produce ISI-notified products outside India. ### What are the penalties for using the ISI mark without a BIS licence? Using the ISI mark without a valid BIS licence is a criminal offence under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. Penalties include imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years (rising to five years for repeat offences), a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh (rising to Rs 5 lakh for repeat offences), or both. BIS conducts regular market surveillance and raids across India and has secured prosecutions against both Indian companies and importers found using the ISI mark without authorisation. Counterfeit ISI marks — designed to resemble the genuine mark — attract additional liability under Indian trademark and consumer protection law. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Regulatory requirements change and vary by product category. Consult an accredited test laboratory or qualified compliance engineer before making certification decisions. 🇮🇳 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/04-bis-certification-for-electronics)[Prefer to read? 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