Last quarter, a mid-sized mixer-grinder brand in Noida missed a Quality Control Order (QCO) deadline by six weeks. Customs flagged incoming components, the BIS lab slot had to be re-booked, and distributors paused POs. Net impact: a two-month launch delay and more than ₹1 crore in lost revenue.
Had the ISI/CRS path been identified six months earlier, the delay could have been avoided.
Think of BIS as your product’s passport into the Indian market. If you’re a manufacturer setting up a plant in Pune or importing steel or white goods through Nhava Sheva, ISI certification (Scheme I) and CRS (for electronics / IT) determine whether your product can be sold, stocked, imported, or cleared by customs.
When the Government issues a Quality Control Order (QCO) for a product, BIS certification becomes compulsory — typically ISI Mark under Scheme I (sometimes a BIS Certificate of Conformity), and CRS for certain electronics / IT goods.
Each ministry notifies QCOs; BIS executes testing, licensing, and surveillance. In 2025, an inter-ministerial group began reviewing QCOs, and enforcement deadlines for some electrical items were pushed to March 2026.
| Sector | Typical coverage under QCO (examples) | BIS scheme | Why it’s enforced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cement | Portland cement (IS 269, 1489, 455 etc.) | Scheme I – ISI Mark | Structural safety & quality in construction |
| Steel & steel products | Rebars, structural steel, flat/long products | Scheme I – ISI Mark | Infrastructure integrity & safety |
| Appliances (White goods) | ACs, refrigerators, washing machines (timeline extended to 2026) | Scheme I – ISI Mark | Electrical safety & performance |
| Electronics & IT | Laptops, tablets, phones, power supplies, LED lamps | CRS | Electrical safety & EMC compliance |
| Footwear, Furniture & others | Multiple items moving under QCOs in 2025–26 | Scheme I – ISI Mark | Consumer-safety expansion |
Takeaway: for most cement and steel, ISI is non-negotiable before sale. For appliances, verify whether your model falls under ISI or CRS — timelines and product scopes differ by notification.
If you manufacture or import cement, you’re already in the mandatory ISI zone. Expect factory assessment, product testing, marking permission, and surveillance sampling.
Business impact: without ISI, you lose access to major buyers, government tenders, and marketplace listings.
Action checklist
Steel products such as rebars, structural sections, and wire rods are steadily being added under QCOs. If you supply EPC, automotive, or construction OEMs, assume mandatory ISI unless confirmed otherwise.
Why it matters
Action checklist
“Appliances” straddle two regimes:
Why it matters
Action checklist
| Stage | ISI (Scheme I) | CRS (Electronics / IT) | Key factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standards mapping | 1–2 weeks | 1–2 weeks | Number of SKUs |
| Lab testing | 2–6 weeks | 2–4 weeks | Lab queue, retests |
| Factory assessment | 1–2 days | — | QMS readiness |
| BIS review & grant | ~30–45 working days | ~2–3 weeks | Query cycles |
| Fees | Application + processing + marking fee | Application + processing | Product type & quantity |
Tip: build buffer time for testing and documentation. Group variants under one family wherever possible to save cost and time.
Skipping BIS can delay a launch by three-to-six months once retesting and enforcement costs are added. Certifying early is always cheaper than firefighting later.
| Category | Example Standards / Notes |
|---|---|
| Cement | IS 269 (OPC), IS 1489 (PPC), IS 455 (PSC) — ISI mandatory |
| Steel | Rebars, structures, flats — ISI mandatory under QCO |
| Appliances | Refrigerators, ACs, washers — ISI (QCO); Laptops, phones, LEDs — CRS |
Recap:
BIS certification isn’t just paperwork — it’s your product’s entry ticket to the Indian market.
Green Permits helps manufacturers and importers simplify BIS compliance, testing, and licensing from start to finish.
📞 +91 78350 06182 | 📧 wecare@greenpermits.in
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Yes. All cement types notified via QCOs require ISI certification under Scheme I before sale in India.
Both. White goods fall under ISI (QCOs); electronics and IT items like laptops and phones fall under CRS.
Fees include application, processing and marking charges per product category; these are revised periodically.
Allow about 30–45 working days after testing and document submission; total time varies by category and lab slot availability.
BIS may seize goods, levy fines, and initiate prosecution. Compliance protects your brand and market access.
