India tightens BIS Requirements for Imported Steel and Input Materials under QCO Compliance Framework

The Indian Ministry of Steel has mandated that all steel and steel products falling under chapters 72 and 73 of the ITC (HS) codes must comply with 151 specified Indian Standards. These standards have been integrated into the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2024 (QCO), which was published via notification S.O. 3716(E) dated August 29, 2024. In addition to ensuring product compliance with QCO provisions, importers must now also verify that the input materials used in these products conform to the relevant Indian Standards. A detailed mapping between input materials and their applicable Indian Standards has been included for reference. This measure is intended to reinforce product quality oversight and regulatory alignment with domestic manufacturing criteria. Steel and steel products usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

As stipulated in the order dated June 13, 2025, these requirements will be enforced for imports with Bills of Lading dated on or after June 16, 2025. Furthermore, registration on the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) portal remains compulsory for all such imports. The notification emphasizes the necessity for importers to ensure strict adherence to both QCO and the mapped Indian Standards of input materials. Compliance will be verified by the relevant regulatory authorities, with potential import restrictions applied to non-conforming shipments.

Here you can find an overview regarding the relevant standards:

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New BIS Certification Mandate for Commercial Dispensing Appliances in India

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a new quality control mandate for electrical appliances used in commercial dispensing and vending. This directive, titled the Electrical Appliances for Commercial Dispensing and Vending (Quality Control) Order, 2025, will come into effect starting October 1, 2025. Under this regulation, such appliances must conform to Indian Standard IS 302 (Part 2/Section 75):2018, which outlines safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances—specifically those for commercial dispensing and vending purposes. These products must bear the Standard Mark under a BIS license in accordance with Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the 2018 Conformity Assessment Regulations. The order excludes items manufactured for export and allows a limited number of imports annually for R&D use, provided they are not sold commercially and are properly recorded. Appliances-for-Commercial-Dispensing-and-Vending usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Implementation timelines vary by enterprise size. While the general deadline for compliance is October 1, 2025, small enterprises must comply by January 1, 2026, and micro enterprises by April 1, 2026. The BIS is designated as the certifying and enforcing authority under this mandate. Violations of the order may lead to penalties as outlined in the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. Any updates to the referenced Indian Standards, including amendments, will apply from their date of notification.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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Mandatory BIS Certification Announced for Refined Zinc in India

The Ministry of Mines has issued a new directive titled the Refined Zinc (Quality Control) Order, 2025, under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. Scheduled to take effect six months from its publication date of April 17, 2025, the Order mandates that refined zinc products conform to the Indian Standard IS 209:2024. Only items intended for domestic use fall under the Order’s scope, while goods meant for export are exempt. According to the directive, products must display the BIS Standard Mark and be certified under Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The Bureau of Indian Standards will serve as the designated authority for certification and enforcement. Products such as refined zinc, as well as refined nickel and others, typically require BIS ISI certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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Revised Implementation Date for BIS Scheme X Certification for Machinery and Electrical Equipment in India

The Indian Ministry of Heavy Industries has released an amendment to the 2024 Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order. As per the newly issued 2025 amendment, the implementation timeline for compliance has been extended. Specifically, the original clause that required enforcement one year after publication has been revised to a new fixed date—September 1, 2026. This change affects the timeline for mandatory certification and regulatory adherence for machinery and electrical products covered under the Order. Following the planned regulation changes, many kinds machines, plants, pumps and other products will be required to optain BIS Scheme X Certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Additionally, the updated regulation clarifies that while the main categories of machines and electrical equipment listed in the First Schedule will become subject to the order starting September 1, 2026, the associated assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components will only become regulated from dates that the Central Government will announce separately via official notification. This ensures phased compliance and provides stakeholders more time to adjust to the regulatory changes.

Since 2012, the BIS has been gradually expanding the certification catalog and continuously adding additional goods. BIS certification mandatory for many electronic products for industrial and consumer uses. Factory inspections are also required for some products.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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BIS Certification Scheme X for Machines poses Challenge for Plant Manufacturers

The introduction of the new certification obligation under BIS Scheme X entails considerable uncertainties for manufacturers in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. From August 28, 2025, numerous types of machinery such as pumps, compressors, packaging machines and electrical systems will have to have BIS certification according to Scheme X in order to be sold or imported in India. However, many of the framework conditions relevant for approval have not yet been conclusively defined, which leads to delays and planning problems.

Manufacturers who are already preparing their products for the Indian market are particularly affected. The uncertainty about specific requirements, such as the applicable technical standards or the exact design of the test procedures, makes it difficult to submit an application in good time. In addition, the processing times for certification applications are currently long, as there is a need for additional clarification and the authorities are very busy.

To meet these challenges, the Indian government announced a comprehensive amendment at the end of June that is intended to address the open points as fully as possible. At the same time, it was announced that the scope of products subject to approval is to be expanded again. Manufacturers are therefore well advised to start applying now in order to avoid major delays or economic damage due to possible import stops. Although a postponement of the deadline is likely, it is not expected to be communicated until August.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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Revised BIS Compliance Rules exempt Analog CCTV Cameras from ER-01 in India

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) issued a clarification on March 12, 2025, stating that Analog CCTV Cameras are exempt from complying with the Essential Requirements for Security (ER-01). Following this, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released detailed instructions on April 1, 2025, outlining the updated compliance procedures for applicants and licensees under the BIS CRS scheme. Many electronic products usually require a BIS CRS certification in order to be approved for import an sale in India.

Manufacturers with previously registered Analog CCTV Camera models must submit a self-declaration through the designated BIS module, listing all such models under their license scope. This declaration—submitted without the need for new test reports—must be completed by April 9, 2025. After this date, only declared Analog models or those complying with ER standards will remain valid under the license. Additionally, any new test reports must clearly specify the camera type. Applications submitted after April 9 must not mix Analog and Non-Analog models under the same ID.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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BIS Standards – Implementations next Month – June 2025

We regularly publish advance information from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on new Quality Control Orders that will come into effect shortly. Affected products must have BIS certification in order to be approved for import and distribution in India. Within the next month, several standards will come into effect, among other for several polypropylene materials, as well as Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Homopolymers.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enforces Quality Control Orders (QCOs) to mandate that specific products comply with national quality benchmarks. Unlike regular BIS standards, which are typically voluntary, QCOs impose legal obligations on manufacturers and importers of designated goods. These regulations aim to safeguard public health, animal welfare, and the environment, while also upholding consistent product quality in India. QCOs cover a broad array of items, including chemicals, metals, toys, and electronic devices. Non-compliance can lead to significant legal consequences, including fines or imprisonment.

Here is an overview of the new Quality Control Orders that will come into effect next month:

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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BIS-ISI Certification Obligation extended to include new Household Electrical Appliances among others

To enhance product safety across consumer markets, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India has issued the “Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2025.” This order replaces the 2024 directive and introduces mandatory conformity with IS 302 (Part 1): 2024 / IEC 60335-1: 2020 standards for a wide range of electrical appliances. It applies to devices operating at voltages up to 250V for single-phase and 480V for direct current or battery-operated models. The rule will become effective from March 19, 2026, for large enterprises, with extended compliance deadlines for small (June 19, 2026) and micro enterprises (September 19, 2026). Specific exemptions apply to research imports (up to 200 units annually) and stock manufactured or imported before the implementation date, provided declarations are made to the BIS. Among electrical appliances, many household appliances also require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

Household, commercial, and similar electrical appliances now covered under this order span 90 product categories—from vacuum cleaners, ovens, and electric shavers to electric barbecues, humidifiers, and personal e-transporters. These products must display the BIS Standard Mark under a BIS license, as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. TABLE PLACEHOLDER. Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances usually require BIS-ISI certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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Mandatory BIS Quality Control Framework Announced for Refined Nickel

The Ministry of Mines in India has issued a new quality control order mandating that all refined nickel products sold in the country must comply with the Indian Standard IS 2782:2023. As outlined in the Refined Nickel (Quality Control) Order, 2025, this requirement will take effect six months from the date of its publication on April 17, 2025. Refined nickel products must bear the Standard Mark under a license issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in accordance with Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The regulation does not apply to goods intended solely for export.
To export refined nickel to India, manufacturers must obtain BIS certification (ISI) through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). This certification is mandatory to ensure that the products can be legally marketed and sold within the Indian territory.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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India enforces revised BIS Certification Mandate for Hinges from July 2025

India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has introduced the Hinges (Quality Control) Order, 2025, replacing the 2024 version, to enhance product safety and standardization in the hinges market. The new regulation mandates that all specified hinge types conform to their corresponding Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark, as licensed under Scheme-1 of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Originally slated to take effect on January 1, 2025, the enforcement date for the QCO has now been officially extended to July 1, 2025. Hinges usually require BIS certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India.

The quality standards cover a comprehensive range of hinge types, including stainless steel butt hinges (IS 12817:2020), steel butt hinges (IS 1341:2018), non-ferrous metal butt hinges (IS 205:1992), and others such as cabinet hinges, tee and strap hinges, and continuous piano hinges. The regulation provides limited exemptions for hinges imported strictly for R&D purposes (up to 200 units annually), provided they are not sold and are disposed of as scrap. The Bureau of Indian Standards has been designated as the certifying and enforcement authority, and any contravention is subject to penalties under the BIS Act, 2016.

If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.

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