How to Identify the Correct Indian Standard (IS) for Your Product Before Applying for BIS Certification

Choosing the correct Indian Standard (IS) is one of the most important steps before applying for BIS certification. However, it's also where many manufacturers and importers make costly mistakes.

A common misconception is that every product has an obvious IS standard. In reality, products with similar names can fall under different standards depending on their design, intended use, technical specifications, and applicable Quality Control Orders (QCOs). Selecting the wrong standard can lead to incorrect testing, application delays, additional costs, and even rejection by BIS.

If you're unsure which IS standard applies to your product, this guide will help you understand the evaluation process and the factors you should consider before submitting your BIS application.

Why Selecting the Correct IS Standard Matters

The Indian Standard determines how your product will be evaluated during the BIS certification process. It defines the testing requirements, safety parameters, product specifications, and certification scheme applicable to your product.

Choosing the wrong standard may result in:

• Testing at the wrong BIS-recognized laboratory

• Rejection or delay during application review

• Additional testing costs

• Longer product launch timelines

• Incorrect certification documentation

Spending time identifying the correct standard at the beginning can save both time and money later.

Step by Step guid to identify correct standard for your product

Step 1: Understand Your Product Before Looking for an IS Standard

Before searching the BIS Standards Catalogue, collect all the technical information about your product. This helps narrow down the applicable standard and reduces the chances of selecting the wrong one.

Prepare the following information:

The more accurate your product information, the easier it becomes to identify the correct IS standard.

Step 2: Focus on Function, Not Marketing Name

A product's commercial name doesn't always reflect how BIS classifies it.

Instead of asking:

"What is my product called?"

Ask:

• What does the product actually do?

• Who will use it?

• Is it for residential, commercial, or industrial applications?

• Does it include wireless communication?

• Is it an electrical, electronic, or mechanical product?

Answering these questions provides a much clearer starting point for identifying the applicable Indian Standard.

Step 3: Check Whether Your Product Is Covered Under a Quality Control Order (QCO)

Before searching for an IS standard, determine whether your product is covered under a Quality Control Order (QCO) issued by the Government of India.

A QCO makes compliance with a specific Indian Standard mandatory for certain products. If your product is notified under a QCO, it cannot be manufactured, imported, or sold in India without meeting the prescribed requirements.

When reviewing a QCO, check:

• Product name and description

• Applicable Indian Standard (IS)

• Effective date of the order

• Certification scheme (ISI, CRS, or other)

• Any exemptions or special conditions

Tip: A product may have an Indian Standard, but certification is not always mandatory unless it is covered by a QCO.

Step 4: Search the BIS Standards Catalogue

The BIS Standards Catalogue is the most reliable starting point for identifying applicable Indian Standards.

While searching, avoid using only broad product names such as "chair," "switch," or "adapter." Instead, search using:

• Product type

• Technical function

• Material

• Industry category

• Specific application

For example, searching for "office chair" will usually provide more relevant results than simply searching for "chair."

If multiple standards appear, don't assume the first result is the correct one. Read the title and scope of each standard to understand what products it actually covers.

Step 5: Read the Scope of the Standard Carefully

One of the most common mistakes is selecting an IS number based only on its title.

Every Indian Standard includes a Scope section that defines:

• Which products are covered

• Which products are excluded

• Technical limitations

• Intended applications

This section often answers whether the standard truly applies to your product.

For example, two standards may appear similar, but one may apply only to household products while the other is intended for industrial use.

Step 6: Verify the Applicable BIS Certification Scheme

Identifying the correct IS standard is only part of the process. You must also determine which BIS certification scheme applies.

Depending on the product, certification may fall under:

• ISI Certification – Common for products covered under mandatory Quality Control Orders.

• Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) – Applicable to notified electronic and IT products.

• Other BIS schemes – Used for specific product categories introduced through government notifications.

Choosing the wrong certification scheme can delay your application, even if you've identified the correct IS standard.

Part 3: Common Mistakes, Pre-Application Checklist & Final Tips

Even after identifying a potential Indian Standard (IS), many businesses make avoidable mistakes that lead to delays during the BIS certification process. Taking a little extra time to verify your findings can save significant time and cost later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Before submitting your BIS application, make sure you're not making any of these common errors:

• Selecting an IS standard based only on the product name.

• Ignoring the product's intended use or technical specifications.

• Referring to an outdated version of an Indian Standard.

• Assuming a competitor's certification applies to your product.

• Overlooking the applicable Quality Control Order (QCO).

• Choosing the wrong BIS certification scheme (ISI, CRS, etc.).

• Sending samples for testing before confirming the applicable standard.

Avoiding these mistakes can help reduce unnecessary testing, documentation changes, and application delays.

Pre-Application Checklist

Use this checklist before starting your BIS certification process:

✔️ Clearly define your product and its intended use.

✔️ Collect the latest technical datasheet and user manual.

✔️ Verify whether your product is covered under a Quality Control Order (QCO).

✔️ Identify the latest applicable Indian Standard (IS).

✔️ Confirm the appropriate BIS certification scheme.

✔️ Ensure your product specifications match the selected standard.

✔️ Verify any recent amendments or revisions to the standard.

✔️ Consult a compliance expert if multiple standards appear applicable.

Completing these steps before testing helps avoid unnecessary revisions later in the process.