BIS Standards Development Process: How Indian Standards Are Created and How to Participate
BIS Standards Development Process: How Indian Standards Are Created and How to Participate
Understanding how Indian Standards are developed helps manufacturers anticipate new requirements and participate in shaping standards that affect their products.
BIS Committee Structure
- Divisional Councils (DC): Broad domain oversight (electronics, chemicals, food)
- Sectional Committees (SC): Specific product area technical committees
- Working Groups: Detailed technical work on specific standards
Who Participates
Sectional Committee members include representatives from: industry manufacturers and trade associations, government ministries, testing laboratories, consumer organizations, and academic institutions.
The Development Process
- Need identified (by BIS, industry, or government)
- Working group drafts the standard (often adapted from ISO/IEC base documents)
- Wide circulation for public comment — any stakeholder can submit comments
- Comments reviewed and incorporated or formally resolved
- Final approval and publication as Indian Standard (IS)
India's International Standards Adoption
A large proportion of Indian Standards are adopted from ISO or IEC with Indian deviations (where India's conditions require different requirements). Published as IS/IEC XXXXX or IS/ISO XXXXX. This is why IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 aligns closely with international practice — and why Indian-certified products have significant global compliance overlap.
How to Participate and Influence Standards
- Join an industry association that participates in BIS Sectional Committees
- Submit comments during the public comment period for draft standards
- Apply directly to BIS for Sectional Committee membership
Standards that affect your business are most effectively shaped from inside the development process. HOT participates in relevant BIS standards committees. Contact us for information on participation opportunities.