CML Number Check for Plywood: How to Verify BIS ISI Certified Plywood Online
Plywood is an essential material used for creating different types of construction and design applications. In big cities, plywood is a key material used for furniture, partitions, and shuttering, and it is also widely used in modular kitchens. However, a challenge still remains between manufacturers and consumers regarding fake ISI marked products and verifying the correct CML number.
If your plywood is ISI certified, learn how to verify the CML number on the BIS website to identify the difference between genuine and fake ISI marks. Know the step-by-step process. If plywood does not have the original Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark, it will not have a valid ISI Mark CML number. The ISI mark is not just a logo; it is a unique identification for manufacturers licensed by BIS. The CM/L number is linked to the manufacturer’s BIS approval. The 10-digit code after the hyphen is the key to verification. Let’s understand the process of verifying the 10-digit Indian Standard CML number for plywood.
How to check CML Number for Plywood on BIS Portal?
For Foreign Manufacturers
- Visit the official BIS website.
- After opening the website, click on “Conformity Assessment”.
- Under the FMCS section, click on “Licensee”.
- Click on “List of BIS Licensees (IS Wise)”.
- You can check the CML Number for plywood by searching the relevant Indian Standard.
You can directly check it through this link:- Check FMCS Licensees
For Domestic Manufacturers
- Visit the official BIS website.
- After opening the website, click on “Standards”.
- In the “Standard Details” search bar, enter the IS Number to check the CML Number.
Direct Link: Check Standard Details
Why is CML verification important?
CML (Certification Marks Licence) verification is an important process that helps ensure that the plywood with the ISI Mark is actually certified by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Today, in the market, counterfeit and substandard plywood products are in circulation and many of these have fake ISI logos to deceive consumers. Simply seeing the ISI Mark on a product is not sufficient. All the BIS certified manufacturers have been given a different 10 digit CML number which verifies that the product has been manufactured with a valid BIS licence.
Thus by checking the CML number on the official BIS portal the consumer, builder, architect, contractor, dealer and government procurement agencies can verify if the manufacturer is having a valid BIS licence for the Indian Standard or not. The simple verification process that has been introduced helps to avoid the purchase of fake or non-compliant plywood products that could result in an impacted quality, durability, structural integrity and safety.
Purchase of plywood with valid CML number also ensures compliance to Quality Control Orders (QCOs) & applicable Indian Standards. It shields the buyers from the possible loss of money that may be caused by poor quality products and also helps to build trust in the certified manufacturers. Always check the CML number and the corresponding IS standard on the BIS website before buying plywood for your furniture, construction, modular kitchen or any commercial project. It only takes a few minutes to verify at the point of sale that you will be getting a real BIS Certified plywood, and this can save you a lot of money.
BIS Certification for Plywood
If you are a foreign or Indian plywood manufacturer and want to sell your products in the Indian market, obtaining BIS Certification is mandatory.
In India, different plywood products are covered under various Indian Standards, such as:
- IS 303:1989 – Plywood for General Purposes
- IS 2202 (Part 1):1999 – Wooden Flush Door Shutters (Solid Core Type) – Plywood Face Panels
- IS 710:2010 – Marine Plywood
- IS 5509:2021 – Fire Retardant Plywood
- IS 1328:1996 – Veneered Decorative Plywood
- IS 2191 (Part 2):2022 – Wooden Flush Door Shutters (Cellular and Hollow Core Type)
- IS 2191 (Part 1):2022 – Wooden Flush Door Shutters (Cellular and Hollow Core Type) – Plywood Face Panels
- IS 2202 (Part 2):2022 – Wooden Flush Door Shutters (Solid Core Type)
- IS 4990:2011 – Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Works
- IS 10701:2012 – Structural Plywood
After completing the BIS Certification process, the manufacturer receives permission to use the ISI Mark along with the relevant Indian Standard number and a unique CML Number.
For example, if a manufacturer applies for a BIS license for IS 710:2010 Marine Plywood and the license is granted, the product marking will include:
- ISI Mark
- IS 710:2010
- CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX
The CML Number is a unique 10-digit license number that confirms the authenticity of the BIS-certified product.
For any assistance related to BIS Certification for plywood, manufacturers can contact Aleph India – BIS Consultant.
IS 303 vs IS 710
One of the most crucial aspects of the ISI Mark on plywood is ensuring its authenticity by undergoing a CML (Certification Marks Licence) verification process. In today's day and age, there is a plethora of substandard and fake plywood in the market, and many of them carry fake ISI logos in order to fool the customers. Indian Standards for plywood are two major ISI Standards that are IS 303 and IS 710 — both are different and are meant for different applications. Plywood for General purpose is covered by IS 303:1989 and Marine Plywood is covered by IS 710:2010.
IS 303 plywood is produced for interior and exterior use, where the wood may have some exposure to moisture at times. It's widely utilized for furnishings, furnishings, cabinets, wall paneling, office interior and basic building work. The plywood has good strength and durability for a normal environment, but it is not suitable for long-term use in water.
IS 710 Marine Plywood, on the other hand, is made from premium quality hardwood veneers with waterproof phenol-formaldehyde resin. With its excellent resistance to water, humidity, fungal growth, and termites, it is ideal for bathroom and kitchen applications, as well as for use in boats, docks, coastal construction, and other high moisture applications. A stringent quality and bonding test for marine plywood is also conducted compared to the general purpose plywood.
Both types of plywood are required to get BIS Certification under the relevant Indian Standard before using ISI Mark, if manufactured by the manufacturer. The product is to be marked with the relevant IS number and a valid CM/L number, so the buyer would be able to check the authenticity of the product on the BIS portal. When a standard is selected properly, it will provide better performance, durability, and will meet the Indian quality requirements.
BIS Certification Process for Plywood
For all plywood manufactured, imported or sold in India, BIS certification is compulsory. It is controlled by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This Quality Control Order ensures structural stability, bonding quality and safety. Products should have the ISI Mark
- Submitting the Application: Fill out the Online BIS Application with the required documents (factory details, ISO 9001 certificate and trademark proof)
- Factory Audit: A BIS officer visits the manufacturing premises to check the infrastructure, production capacity and testing facilities.
- Testing: The samples are taken from the factory/warehouse and tested against the relevant IS standard.
- Grant of License:- BIS grants license to use standard ISI Mark after successful inspection and testing.
Best BIS Consultant for All Types of Plywood
Recently, a manufacturer visited Aleph India’s Noida office regarding the BIS license for IS 303 Plywood for General Purposes. They came to know about the company through a foreign manufacturer. After understanding the complete BIS licensing process, they shared that 5 different consultants had been misleading them for the last 1 year by repeatedly providing incorrect information about documents. Due to the absence of a BIS license, they were unable to sell their products in the Indian market.
After seeing the successful grant of licenses to 500+ foreign and Indian manufacturers by Aleph India, they said that they should have contacted Aleph India first.
Whether manufacturers are from Malaysia, Vietnam, Korea, Sri Lanka, or India, plywood manufacturers trust Aleph India for BIS certification support. Aleph India is among the most trusted names for free BIS consulting services.
If any manufacturer or importer is facing difficulties in obtaining a BIS license for plywood products or wants to understand the certification process, contact us at 0-804-803-68-69 (Toll-Free) or send a message through the website chat box.
Do not get misled by incorrect guidance from unreliable consultants. Stay safe and focus your valuable time on business growth.


