Comprehensive turnkey BIS licensing for overseas factories exporting to the Indian market. We provide official Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) support, plant pre-audit gap rectification, lab sample coordination, and direct liaison with the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) at Manak Bhawan.
Foreign Manufacturers Scheme-I
Standard Mark Issued
Granted under BIS Act 2016
Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD)
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India. Established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act 2016, BIS governs conformity assessment and quality assurance to safeguard Indian consumers, ensure environmental protection, and uphold national industrial standards.
For foreign factories and overseas manufacturing units exporting to the Indian market, BIS administers the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) under Scheme-I. Governed exclusively by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) at Manak Bhawan in New Delhi, this scheme enables overseas plants to obtain a formal Certification Marks Licence (CML) to imprint the globally recognized ISI Mark on their products.
Under Indian law, an FMCS license is granted strictly to the actual manufacturing factory premises—not to trading intermediaries, overseas marketing headquarters, or domestic importers. If a multinational corporation operates manufacturing plants in Vietnam, Germany, and China, each production site must apply for an independent CML license for each relevant Indian Standard (IS Code).
Under Quality Control Orders issued by DPIIT, Ministry of Steel, MeitY, and Ministry of Heavy Industries, over 650+ product categories cannot enter Indian customs territory without a valid BIS CML number. Uncertified consignments face detention, confiscation, and return shipment penalties under Section 29 of the BIS Act.
BIS regularly expands the list of products requiring compulsory FMCS certification for import. Below are the most prominent industrial sectors and corresponding Indian Standards:
| Industry Sector | Indian Standard (IS) | Covered Products | Key Test Parameters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel & Metallurgy | IS 1786 / IS 2062 | TMT Steel Rebars, Structural Steel, Carbon Billets | Yield strength, elongation, chemical composition (C, S, P) |
| Chemicals & Solvents | IS 517 / IS 336 / IS 2833 | Methanol, Caustic Soda, Aniline, Acetone | Purity assays, distillation range, heavy metal residue |
| Footwear & Leather | IS 15844 / IS 11226 | Sports Footwear, Safety Shoes, Rubber Gumboots | Flex resistance, sole adhesion, impact absorption |
| Toys & Child Safety | IS 9873 (Parts 1-9) | Mechanical, Electric, Plastic & Stuffed Toys | Phthalates, heavy metal migration, flammability, choking hazards |
| Electrical & Cables | IS 694 / IS 1293 / IS 302 | PVC Insulated Cables, Plugs, Sockets, Appliances | Dielectric withstand, temperature rise, insulation resistance |
| Automotive Parts | IS 2553 / IS 13098 | Automotive Safety Glass, Pneumatic Tyres | High velocity impact, optical distortion, fragmentation |
| Cement & Construction | IS 269 / IS 455 / IS 1489 | Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC 43/53), Pozzolana Cement | Compressive strength at 3/7/28 days, setting time, sound test |
Obtaining an FMCS license involves meticulous coordination between your overseas plant, your Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), and BIS inspection officials. Here is our 9-step execution pathway:
Overseas plant appoints a resident Indian citizen or legally registered Indian branch as its Authorized Indian Representative to liaison with BIS under legal undertaking.
Compilation of the factory layout, machinery list, raw material sources, calibration records, and drafting the Scheme of Testing & Inspection (STI).
Ensuring all test apparatus specified in the relevant Indian Standard (IS Code) is operational in the factory laboratory with valid third-party calibration certificates.
Digital and hard-copy submission of Form V along with statutory application fees directly to the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department in New Delhi.
Technical scrutiny of submitted documents by BIS officers. Maanak Consultancy resolves any technical clarification within 48 hours to prevent delays.
Arrangement of travel and visa clearances for BIS inspecting officers. Auditors conduct an on-site evaluation of the manufacturing line, QA systems, and testing lab.
Inspectors draw and seal random production samples. Samples are dispatched to BIS-approved NABL laboratories in India for independent verification.
Upon passing test reports, applicant furnishes a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG of USD $10,000) from an RBI-approved bank and remits annual marking fees.
Official issuance of the CM/L licence number and endorsement allowing the factory to print the ISI Mark on exported products.
The FMCS application dossier must be submitted in English with official translations where applicable:
Certificate of Incorporation, factory operational license, and official manufacturing scope issued by overseas government.
Agreement executed between overseas plant and Authorized Indian Representative, with AIR ID proof and GST certificate.
Architectural factory layout plan showing QA lab, production lines, raw material store, and Google coordinates from nearest airport.
Comprehensive inventory of plant machinery with rated capacities, alongside end-to-end manufacturing flow diagram.
Complete list of lab instruments matching IS requirements, with valid calibration certificates traceable to national standards.
Degrees, appointment letters, and experience records of QA engineers, plus supplier raw material Mill Test Certificates (MTC).
Under the BIS Act 2016, any overseas factory without a registered liaison office in India must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). The AIR is legally responsible for ensuring that all products imported into India meet the applicable Indian Standard.
Key Criteria for AIR Appointment:
Maanak Consultancy AIR Services
We provide full-scope Authorized Indian Representative representation for international manufacturers, handling all government summons, sample dispatch customs clearances, and regulatory filings smoothly.
BIS FMCS fees are categorized into statutory government levies, auditor logistics, independent laboratory testing, and performance securities:
An FMCS license is initially granted for 1 or 2 years and can be renewed for up to 5 additional years. Applications must be filed at least 1 month prior to license expiry date.
If you launch new models, sizes, or grades within the same Indian Standard, full factory re-inspection is typically waived:
Get an itemized government fee & audit timeline breakdown within 2 hours.