Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme

The Economy of India-the fastest developing economy on the globe with the capabilities that help it matches up with the biggest international economies of the world.

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25 Aug 2026

INTRODUCTION

The Economy of India-the fastest developing economy on the globe with the capabilities that help it matches up with the biggest international economies of the world. Globalization has opened the world economy for trade like manufacturing, services, selling products in different countries, import-export etc. Over the last few decades, many foreign companies have set up different industries like manufacturing in India as a result of globalization. The manufacturing sector has the ability to expand its market base beyond the country borders, contribute to the foreign exchange reserves of the economy and boost the economic development of the country. It is considered as the "engine of growth". India has become the most attractive destination for import, investment in the manufacturing sector. Many top brands have decided to invest in India, like Amazon has planned to start electronic manufacturing in India, Samsung Display Noida, which has invested a huge amount in starting its manufacturing etc. In order to boost the growth of the manufacturing sector, the Government of India has offered special incentives.

If we talk about the import, India is one of the biggest hubs for international manufacturer who can export their product to India, BIS FMCS Registration (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) allows foreign or international organizations to use standard marks, provided they comply with Indian standards.

In India, lots of foreign companies are operating, but every country has set different rules and standards for manufacturing. You cannot launch your product directly into the market without product conformity compliances, testing and marking. For this, you have to follow some procedures, and this is where Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) takes place for product certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards under ISI mark Scheme.

WHAT IS FMCS (FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS CERTIFICATION SCHEME)?

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is a Scheme operated by the Bureau of Indian Standards since year 2000 under Scheme-I of Schedule-II, BIS Act, 2016 and (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 for foreign manufacturers. This scheme enables the overseas applicants/manufacturers to use the standard mark, which is also called ISI Mark, to sell their products in India. The foreign manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) is the only eligible authority that can grant BIS Certificate for import to the foreign manufacturers. The major motive of BIS for granting a Manufacturing certificate to Foreign manufactures is that the public gets good quality, safe, reliable and risk-free products.

BIS FMCS Certificate in India from the FMCD department is meant for the manufacturing units located overseas, and which will undergo for factory audit to determine whether the manufacturer is complying with all the necessary requirements illustrated by BIS. It is also mandatory for foreign applicants to nominate Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).To understand all these steps, let's explore the parameters in detail.

So it is mandatory for the foreign manufacturers to obtain a BIS Certificate for Import in India under FMCS Scheme for uninterrupted exporting and selling their products in the Indian market.

BIS STANDARD MARK/ISI MARK FOR FMCD

ISI Mark for FMCD, Since 2000 Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department issues ISI Mark for Foreign Manufacturers. BIS is responsible for FMCD BIS certification.

BIS Standard Mark or ISI Mark consists of Licence number as 'CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX' at the bottom of ISI Mark and Indian standard number at the top of above ISI Mark. This mark shall be rewarded by the Bureau of Indian Standards after the successful grant of the BIS Certificate.

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Guideline for BIS ISI Mark Certification for Foreign Manufacturer
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REQUIREMENT

Foreign manufacturers who want to export their product to India, first need to get a manufacturer certificate from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and following requirements shall be fulfilled by the applicant. Aleph India Group is a global consulting firm specializing in BIS FMCS Registration, providing advisory and consulting services to various industries in India and across the world.

The company shall:
Ensure conformity of their product(s) to applicable Indian Standards Specification (ISS).
Have all manufacturing machineries/facilities at their factory premises.
Have all arrangements/equipments in their factory premises for testing of the product(s) as per applicable ISS.
Have competent testing personnel in their lab to test the product(s) as per applicable ISS.
Accept the Scheme of Testing & Inspection (STI) and annual Marking Fee.
Accept the Terms & Conditions of Licence.
Separate application is required to be submitted for each product/Indian Standard and for each factory location.
  • 01 The manufacturing unit should be located outside of India.
  • 02 Ensure conformity of their product(s) to applicable Indian Standards Specification (ISS).
  • 03 At the factory premises, all manufacturing machinery and testing facilities should be available.
  • 04 Product testing equipment and quality control personnel should be available in-house laboratory to test the product as per applicable ISS.
  • 05 The manufacturer should accept the Scheme of Inspection & Testing(SIT) and the annual marking fee.
  • 06 The company/manufacturer (FMCS) should accept the terms and conditions of the Licence.
Note - Separate applications shall be submitted for each product, each factory location. The list of the products under FMCS are listed below.

MANDATORY DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FMCS ISI MARK CERTIFICATION

The documentation part under the FMCS BIS Certification scheme of BIS is quite simple as very recently BIS Online application system has been introduced to collect and maintain the records. Following are the essential documents, must be available with the applicant before initiating the project:

01
Factory/company registration documents
02
Flow chart of manufacturing process
03
Manufacturing capabilities in-house and also outsourcing agreement of manufacturing operation, if applicable.
04
Adequate facilities for testing
05
Quality Control Parameters and their records
06
Accept Scheme of Testing & Inspection and Annual Marking fee, laboratory product testing report and other information as per BIS norm and so on.
i
The list of documents is quite tedious and can be obtained from BIS.

PROCESS OF GRANT OF BIS LICENCE UNDER FMCS

Process for BIS Certification under FMCS
01

Submit application:

  • Compile all required documents
  • Submit the application with required documents to BIS online and hardcopy to FMCD department
  • BIS authority will verify the application
02

Query raised (if any):

  • In case, any document or test equipment or any other requirement is missing or incomplete, communication will be done by email with applicant
  • If the application is found satisfactory in all respects, it will be recorded
  • Acknowledgement number will be allotted for future purpose
03

Audit/Inspection:

  • BIS Officer will arrange a visit at factory premises of applicant on the mutually agreed date
  • Remittance of inspection/audit fee
  • BIS Officer will verify the manufacturing process, testing infrastructure and also test the product in your in-house laboratory
  • BIS Officer will collect the sample, seal it, and forward it for testing with an independent laboratory
04

Sample Testing:

  • Sample collected sent to BIS Approval Laboratory
  • BIS (FMCS) receive the test report
  • Charges for testing will be paid by the application firm
05

Grant of Licence:

  • Satisfactory inspection report of the auditor visited the factory premises, and test report of the product received according to Indian Standards
  • Applicant should pay a Licence fee, advance minimum Marking fee & if any outstanding due
  • Letter for Grant of Licence issued

Sample of a Grant Certificate for FMCS

Indemnify Bond:

Agreement & Indemnity bond entered between the applicant and BIS. It includes following provisions

Fees
Nomination
All rights and responsibilities of licensee
Indemnity
Termination
Performance bank guarantee
Cancellation of license
Non-Renewal
Sample of a Grant Certificate for FMCS

TIMELINE FOR BIS LICENCE

recording. The rest depends upon the circumstances. It may vary for certain reasons like delay from applicants in response to queries raised, if any, delay in organizing inspection or testing of the sample, remittance of dues, etc.

Average time for Grant of Licence: Approximately 6 months
Timeline may vary depending on: Application response, inspection, testing, remittance of dues, etc.
Timeline for BIS Certification Chart
Surveillance Inspection

SURVEILLANCE
INSPECTION

Surveillance Inspection is carried out from time to time, and market samples are drawn out by the BIS in order to assess the performance of the foreign BIS licensee.

Complaint Redressal

COMPLAINT
REDRESSAL

In case any complaint is received against the licensee's product, then an investigation will be carried out as per IS/ISO 10002, and immediate action will be taken to redress the complaints, such as free replacement or repair. In case of any damage, the entire liability will be borne by the licensee, and BIS will not be responsible for any damages or losses.

How to Renew BIS Licence

HOW TO RENEW
BIS LICENCE?

A BIS certified manufacturers license is valid for the time period of one year. It can be further renewed for one year just by filing a renewal application form along with the prescribed fees, which should be certified by the Chartered accountant.

GUIDELINES FOR NOMINATION OF AUTHORIZED INDIAN REPRESENTATIVE (AIR) FOR FOREIGN MANUFACTURER

Branch Office Location

Every Foreign applicant/manufacturer shall have a branch office located in India which shall fulfill all the liabilities and obligations with respect to the BIS Act, 1986, and rules and regulations framed for the purpose of registration, on behalf of the foreign applicant. Foreign Manufacturers/companies need to appoint an Authorized Representative in India to represent their case and meet the terms with the regulations and registrations purposes.

It is mandatory for the foreign applicants to nominate Authorized Indian Representative (AIR in India to get BIS Licence, ISI Mark Certificate in case they don't have a branch office in India. AIR as a local representative, is responsible for submitting and managing the application for certification and is available to answer the questions. While nominating the AIR, the applicant should ensure the following points.

01 AIR nominated by the foreign manufacturer should be an Indian resident
02 AIR shall give his consent that he is responsible for compliance to the provisions of the Indian BIS act, Rules, Regulations, and Terms & Conditions given in BIS Licence, Agreement, Undertaking or other documents executed on behalf of the foreign manufacturer in connection with grant and operation of the licence.
03 AIR can only represent one Foreign manufacturer at one time, cannot represent other Foreign applicants as AIR.
04 AIR(s) shall have no conflict of interest in their role as AIR with testing of a sample(s) in third-party laboratories.
05 The minimum qualification for an AIR is a bachelor's degree and knowledge of the provisions of the BIS Act, 2016, as well as rules and regulations.
06 AIR's name shall appear in the licence documents.

The process of obtaining BIS Certification is more complicated than it might initially appear to be. It is therefore advised that the applicant hire a consultant who can deliver a seamless and hassle-free certification service.

Aleph INDIA Group, a premier FMCS agency in India, offers expert consultants and agents to streamline FMCS certification for foreign manufacturers. Our 16+ years of experience ensure a smooth and efficient process, helping businesses meet Indian regulatory standards. Trust Aleph INDIA's consultation services for hassle-free FMCS registration, making entry into the Indian market a breeze.

PRODUCTS UNDER BIS CERTIFICATION SCHEME

As of now, These are the following products which needs BIS Certificate in India under mandatory certification scheme to Manufacture/Import and sell these products in the INDIAN market. Click on below listed products for more information.

804-803-68-69/91-9990136656
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