Businesses searching for BIS Certification of CSS Item for ISI Mark (FMCS) are generally looking to understand how BIS certification and the ISI Mark apply to products manufactured outside India and intended for the Indian market.
An important point should be clarified at the beginning: FMCS officially stands for Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme. It is the BIS certification framework through which eligible manufacturers whose factories are located outside India can obtain a BIS licence for applicable products conforming to relevant Indian Standards.
BIS certification should also not be considered mandatory for every product sold in India. The BIS certification scheme is generally voluntary, but the Central Government makes compliance compulsory for specified products through Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and other applicable regulatory measures.
Therefore, businesses should first understand the product, applicable Indian Standard and certification requirement before proceeding with an FMCS application.
What Is BIS FMCS Certification?
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) has been operated by the Bureau of Indian Standards for foreign manufacturers seeking a BIS licence for applicable products.
Under FMCS, a licence can be granted to a foreign manufacturer for use of the BIS Standard Mark on a product manufactured at an overseas manufacturing premises and conforming to the relevant Indian Standard.
FMCS is particularly relevant when a foreign manufacturer plans to supply products to India that fall within an applicable BIS certification requirement.
The certification is connected to the manufacturer, product, applicable Indian Standard and manufacturing premises rather than acting as a general approval for every product produced by a company.
Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Every Product?
No.
BIS states that its product certification scheme is basically voluntary. However, for specified products, the Central Government can make compliance with relevant Indian Standards compulsory through QCOs.
For products covered by compulsory certification, the applicable Standard Mark must be used under a valid BIS licence or Certificate of Conformity, depending on the relevant scheme.
This means a manufacturer or importer should not assume that every product requires BIS certification.
At the same time, businesses should not assume that certification is unnecessary simply because a similar product has previously been imported or sold in India.
The exact product and current regulatory requirement should be checked.
Who Can Apply Under FMCS?
FMCS is intended for manufacturers whose factory location is outside India.
According to BIS, the foreign manufacturer should have the necessary manufacturing facilities, appropriate testing arrangements and competent testing personnel for the applicable Indian Standard. The product must also conform to the relevant Indian Standard.
A particularly important point for Indian importers is that the importer does not apply for the FMCS licence on behalf of the manufacturer.
BIS states that under FMCS, the application is made by the foreign manufacturer. BIS
Therefore, Indian importers working with overseas suppliers should review the manufacturer’s BIS position before making assumptions about product compliance.
The Applicable Indian Standard Matters
BIS certification should not begin simply with the question:
“How do we obtain an ISI Mark?”
The first consideration should be whether the particular product falls under an applicable Indian Standard and whether certification is compulsory for that product.
A product’s technical characteristics, intended use and regulatory classification can affect its certification requirement.
For this reason, products that appear commercially similar should not automatically be assumed to have exactly the same BIS compliance requirement.
Correct product assessment at the beginning can help businesses avoid preparing an application under the wrong certification framework.
BIS CRS and FMCS Are Different
Businesses should not confuse FMCS with the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).
FMCS is used for eligible foreign manufacturers seeking a BIS licence for applicable products manufactured outside India.
BIS separately operates the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for notified Electronics and IT Goods. BIS states that FMCS applies broadly except to Electronics and IT Goods notified by MeitY under the registration framework.
For businesses dealing with notified electronic and IT products, read our detailed guidance on BIS Certification for CRS Items and R Number.
Identifying whether the product falls under CRS, Scheme I/FMCS or another applicable BIS conformity-assessment scheme should happen before certification planning begins.
Why the Manufacturing Facility Matters Under FMCS
FMCS is not simply a product-documentation exercise.
The foreign manufacturing facility itself plays an important role in certification.
BIS requires eligible foreign manufacturers to have the necessary manufacturing machinery and facilities at their factory premises. Appropriate testing arrangements and equipment for evaluating the product against the applicable Indian Standard are also required.
The manufacturer should therefore be capable of consistently producing products that conform to the relevant Indian Standard.
This is one reason why simply obtaining a test report should not automatically be treated as equivalent to obtaining a BIS licence.
One Licence Should Not Be Assumed to Cover Every Factory
A manufacturer may operate several production facilities in different countries or locations.
An existing BIS licence connected with one manufacturing premises should not automatically be assumed to cover products manufactured at another factory.
BIS states that separate applications are required for each product/Indian Standard and each factory location or manufacturing premises under FMCS.
This is particularly important for Indian importers.
Before relying on a supplier’s existing BIS certification, businesses should understand whether the relevant product and manufacturing location are actually covered.
Role of the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)
Foreign manufacturers applying under FMCS need to consider the requirement for an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
BIS requires a foreign applicant to nominate an Indian resident as AIR. The AIR acts as the manufacturer’s representative in India for compliance with relevant BIS requirements and the terms and conditions associated with the licence.
Where the foreign manufacturer has a branch or office in India, an appropriate employee of that establishment may preferably be nominated in accordance with BIS requirements.
The AIR therefore has an important compliance role and should not simply be treated as a name required for an application.
How Does BIS FMCS Certification Work?
The FMCS certification process involves evaluating the product and applicable Indian Standard, assessing the manufacturer’s eligibility and manufacturing/testing capability, submitting the applicable application and supporting information, nominating an AIR and satisfying the relevant BIS conformity-assessment requirements.
BIS may assess the manufacturing infrastructure, process controls, quality-control arrangements and testing capabilities, while product conformity with the relevant Indian Standard also needs to be established.
The exact requirements depend on the product and applicable Indian Standard.
For this reason, businesses should avoid treating a generic online checklist as sufficient for every FMCS application.
As of 1 June 2026, BIS states that FMCS applications are accepted only through its online portal; the earlier offline/hard-copy route was accepted only up to 31 May 2026.
Testing Alone Does Not Mean BIS Certification
Product testing can form an important part of demonstrating conformity, but a laboratory report by itself should not be confused with a BIS licence.
BIS considers the manufacturer’s infrastructure, process controls, quality-control and testing capabilities in its product certification assessment, in addition to establishing product conformity with the relevant standard.
Therefore:
Test Report ≠ BIS Licence
Businesses should evaluate the complete certification requirement instead of relying only on product testing.
Importers Should Check BIS Compliance Before Shipment
Although an Indian importer is not the FMCS applicant, BIS compliance can directly affect the importer’s business.
For products made compulsory through a QCO, applicable requirements extend to imports unless a specific exemption applies.
Discovering a certification issue after production or shipment can create delays and commercial complications.
It is therefore advisable to understand the product’s BIS applicability, relevant Indian Standard, manufacturer’s certification status and manufacturing location before the shipment is finalized.
Existing BIS Certification? Check What It Actually Covers
When an overseas supplier says, “We already have BIS certification,” businesses should understand what that certification actually covers.
An existing licence should not automatically be interpreted as company-wide approval for every product.
Product scope, applicable Indian Standard, manufacturing premises and approved varieties can matter.
BIS states that a Scheme-I licence is valid only for the varieties mentioned in the licence.
For importers, checking the actual scope can therefore be more useful than simply asking whether the supplier “has BIS.”
BIS Certification Continues After the Licence
Obtaining the licence is not the end of BIS compliance.
The manufacturer must continue meeting applicable certification and product-conformity requirements.
Under Scheme I, BIS states that a licence may initially be granted for up to two years and may subsequently be renewed subject to applicable requirements.
Changes involving products, manufacturing locations or licence scope should therefore be reviewed rather than assuming the original certification automatically covers every future situation.
When Should a Foreign Manufacturer Review FMCS Requirements?
A foreign manufacturer should ideally review BIS requirements before entering the Indian market or finalizing supply arrangements.
Professional review can become particularly relevant when:
- launching a new product in India;
- supplying a product potentially covered by a QCO;
- changing the manufacturing location;
- adding new product varieties;
- working with a new Indian importer; or
- determining whether CRS or FMCS applies.
The objective should be to identify the correct compliance framework before manufacturing, commercial commitments or shipment create unnecessary complications.
Need Assistance with BIS FMCS Certification?
CRUISE CORPORATE CONSULTANCY SERVICES Pvt. Ltd. (CCCS) provides professional assistance for businesses evaluating BIS Certification, ISI Mark and FMCS requirements for foreign manufacturers.
Our support can help with understanding product applicability, identifying the relevant Indian Standard, reviewing the appropriate BIS certification framework, documentation support and coordination related to applicable certification requirements.
Because BIS requirements can vary according to the product, Indian Standard and manufacturing situation, professional review can help businesses proceed under the appropriate certification framework.
Website: tripplecs.com
Phone: +91 9217160029
Email: info@tripplecs.com
CCCS — Professional Support for Business Setup, Registration, Certification & Compliance Services.