How Foreign Manufacturers Can Get BIS ISI Mark Certification Under IS 302 Part 1

How Foreign Manufacturers Can Get BIS ISI Mark Certification Under IS 302 Part 1

How Foreign Manufacturers Can Get BIS ISI Mark Certification Under IS 302 Part 1

Foreign manufacturers exporting electrical appliances to India must obtain BIS ISI mark certification under IS 302 (Part 1):2024. This is done through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) operated by BIS. This guide explains the complete process.

The FMCS Route for IS 302 Part 1

Unlike the CRS scheme (which operates through an R-number registered to an Indian importer), the FMCS allows foreign manufacturers to hold their own ISI mark licence in their own company name. This is often preferred by brand owners who want to control their certification directly.

Eligibility

  • Company incorporated outside India
  • Manufacturing the product at a factory outside India
  • Product falling under a mandatory BIS certification scheme (QCO products)

Step-by-Step FMCS Process

  1. Application submission: Submit application through the BIS portal (FMCS module on Manakonline). Application includes factory details, product information, quality management system documentation.
  2. Authorized Indian Representative (AIR): Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative who has a registered office in India and will serve as the legal point of contact with BIS.
  3. Factory audit: BIS (or an authorized auditor) conducts a factory audit at the manufacturing facility. For overseas factories, the audit is typically conducted by a BIS-authorized overseas inspection agency or via video audit in some approved cases.
  4. Product testing: Samples are tested at a BIS-recognized laboratory. Test reports against IS 302 (Part 1):2024 are required. Testing can be arranged at BIS-recognized labs in India or through approved overseas labs.
  5. Grant of licence: Upon satisfactory audit and test reports, BIS grants the ISI mark licence. The foreign manufacturer then applies the ISI mark to products shipped to India.
  6. Ongoing surveillance: Annual factory audits and periodic market surveillance samples maintain the licence validity.

The Indian Importer Route (Alternative)

As an alternative to FMCS, the Indian importer can obtain BIS certification in their own name. Under this route, the importer is the licencee and bears responsibility for compliance. The foreign factory is the approved manufacturing source but does not hold the BIS licence directly.

Timeline

FMCS applications typically take 6-12 months from application to licence grant, depending on audit scheduling and document completeness. Given the QCO 2026 deadline of October 2026, overseas manufacturers should have begun the FMCS process in early 2026 to meet this timeline. If you haven't started, begin immediately.