BIS regulation updates: What Global Companies Need to Know

Ayush Sachdev
Aug 19, 2025
5 min read

India is strengthening quality and safety rules through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and several updates are expected to take effect in 2026. If products are sold in India, assembled in India, or if an Indian facility uses imported parts, these changes will likely matter. This guide explains what BIS is, what the changes could mean, and how to prepare with clear, practical steps. It also compares using consultants versus managing the work in-house, and covers the common case where manufacturing moved to India earlier this year but sourcing still happens from other countries.

What is BIS and why it matters

The Bureau of Indian Standards is the national standards body of India under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. It sets standards and runs certification programs to make sure products are safe, reliable, and meet quality requirements.

For many products, BIS certification is legally required before they can be imported into India, sold in India, or used in certain applications. If a product falls under a compulsory rule and it is not certified, it may be stopped at customs or cannot be placed on the market.

There are several BIS pathways. The most common are:

Scheme I: the ISI mark, which involves product testing to Indian Standards and a license for the factory to use the ISI mark.
Scheme II: the Compulsory Registration Scheme, mainly for electronics and information technology products, which requires registration and marking before import or sale.
Scheme X: a framework used for specific categories with tailored requirements when they are brought under compulsory certification.

BIS regularly updates which products are covered under compulsory rules through official government orders. Because coverage changes over time, it is important to check the current list and the effective dates.

What the 2026 updates could mean

For companies exporting to India: Products that are covered must complete BIS certification or registration before shipment. Technical files, testing to the Indian Standard, and correct markings must be in place. Factory checks and follow-up surveillance can apply.
For companies with manufacturing in India: Even if the final assembly is in India, imported parts and modules may be covered in their own right. In those cases, the foreign manufacturer may need a valid BIS license or registration to avoid customs delays and production disruptions. If the finished product assembled in India is covered, the Indian plant may need to hold the correct license or registration.
For distributors and sales partners: Upstream manufacturers need to have valid BIS credentials for the exact models being shipped. The product description, the certification scope, and the customs paperwork should match to prevent holds at the border.

How to prepare for 2026

List all India-bound products and parts

Include finished products, subassemblies, and key components used by Indian facilities.
For each item, identify the Indian Standard, the BIS pathway (Scheme I, Scheme II, or Scheme X), and whether it is already compulsory or expected to be covered.

2. Prioritize by importance and timing

Focus first on high-volume items, items needed for early 2026 launches, and items with clear effective dates.
Plan certification waves so testing labs and internal teams are not overloaded.

3. Check supplier status

Ask suppliers—inside and outside India—for their current BIS licenses or registrations and confirm that the listed models and factory addresses match what is being shipped.
If there are gaps, agree who will own the work and set clear dates.

4. Book testing capacity early

Identify BIS-recognized laboratories for the standards that apply to each product.
Share drawings and pre-test data early to avoid surprises after formal submission.

5. Prepare clear documentation

Organize bills of materials, drawings, test reports, quality procedures, and calibration records.
Keep records consistent and controlled so follow-up audits go smoothly.

6. Run a pilot on the most challenging product

Use one complex product to walk through the full process, learn what is needed, and then reuse the template for other products.

7. Set up simple, regular tracking

Create a weekly dashboard showing application status, lab testing progress, issues to fix, supplier actions, and any customs questions.
Link the milestones to product launch and shipment plans.

8. Align customs paperwork

Make sure certificate numbers, product names, and customs codes match across invoices, packing lists, and filings.
Keep a digital folder with all certificates for quick access by logistics teams.

9. Plan for follow-up checks

Build time for factory visits, market sampling, and renewals into the schedule.
Train teams to notify about design or supplier changes that may affect compliance.

10. Communicate clearly

Share a short, practical playbook with product, quality, sourcing, logistics, and sales teams.
Ask for early notice of any changes that could impact certification.

Consultants or do it yourself?

Working with consultants

Benefits: Up-to-date knowledge of the BIS process, faster problem solving, and help managing multiple products and suppliers at once.
Trade-offs: Added cost and the risk of relying too much on outside help.
Good fit: First-time certifications, complex portfolios, tight timelines, or limited internal staff.

Managing in-house

Benefits: Lower outside cost and stronger internal know-how that lasts.
Trade-offs: A learning curve and the risk of delays if requirements are misunderstood.
Good fit: Stable product lines, experienced supplier base, and willingness to build a small internal compliance team.

A hybrid model (often the best middle path)

Use consultants to set up the process, train teams, and run the first wave, then move routine work to the internal team.
Keep experts available for tough cases and new rules.

If manufacturing moved to India but sourcing is still external

Check coverage at both levels

Some imported subassemblies are covered even if the final product is assembled in India. In those cases, the overseas maker needs the right BIS credentials.
If the finished product assembled in India is covered, the Indian plant itself may need to hold a license or registration and keep the line in conformity with the standard.

Update supplier agreements

Include BIS obligations, test support, data sharing, and rules on notifying about changes.
Build Indian second-source options for critical parts with long overseas certification lead times.

Keep logistics clean and consistent

Match certificate scope to shipment descriptions and customs codes to avoid delays at the border.
Keep strong traceability in case of market sampling or follow-up checks.

Manage design changes carefully

Link engineering changes to compliance review and, when needed, retesting or notifications.

Clear roles and responsibilities

Trade compliance teams can interpret rules and watch for changes, but business leaders must deliver on execution: working with suppliers, keeping documentation in order, moving testing forward, and preparing shipments. Simple performance measures help: first-time pass rate in testing, on-time certification before 2026 effective dates, and zero customs holds for products that are covered.

A starter plan

Finish the product and parts list and mark which ones are covered or likely to be covered in 2026.
Confirm supplier certificates and start closing any gaps with a set timeline.
Reserve lab slots for the most important items and run one pilot certification.
Launch a weekly status review and share a simple dashboard.
Pause non-essential design changes on covered items until certification steps are complete.
Align paperwork with customs brokers and store certificates in one place.
Train teams on what to expect during audits and how to manage changes.

With a clear list, early testing, and steady coordination, it is possible to meet the 2026 BIS updates without last-minute stress and build a repeatable way of working for future changes, too.