BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Certification for Foreign Manufacturers is a mandatory certification that allows overseas manufacturers to sell their products in India while ensuring compliance with Indian quality and safety standards. It is issued under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), which was introduced in 2000 by BIS.

The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is a program run by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that allows foreign manufacturers to get BIS certification and use the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) on their products, even if they do not have a manufacturing unit in India.

It ensures that products manufactured outside India comply with Indian Standards and are safe, reliable, and high-quality before entering the Indian market.

Key Highlights of FMCS:

Launched By - Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
Target - Foreign manufacturers exporting to India
Purpose - To certify that foreign-made products meet Indian Standards
Output - BIS License to use the ISI Mark
Legal Basis - Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016

1. About BIS
1. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national Standards Body of India working under the aegis of Ministry of consumer affairs, food & public distribution, Government of India.
2. Established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 which came into effect on 23 December 1986.
3. The organization was formerly known as the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), set up under the Resolution of the then Department of Industries during 1946.

2. Importance of ISI mark
1. BIS Certification (for ISI Marking) has been made mandatory for certain items/products, which are considered necessary from the point of view of health, safety, environment, prevention of deceptive practices, consumer security, etc.
2. More than 20,000 Indian standards are published by BIS in interest of consumer security, prevention of deceptive practices.
3. ISI Marking can also be granted on other items/products on voluntary basis.

3. FMCS Scheme
1. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been operating a Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) since the year 2000 under BIS Act, 2016 and Rules & Regulations framed there under.
2. Under FMCS, license is granted to a Foreign Manufacturer for use of Standard Mark on a product that conforms to an Indian Standard.
3 The Standards may be under mandatory or voluntary certification.

Indemnity Bond:
Agreement & Indemnity bond entered between the applicant and BIS. It includes following provisions:-
• Fees
• Nomination
• Rights and responsibilities of licensee
• Performance bank guarantee
• Cancellation of license
• Non-Renewal

The BIS licence will be granted once all type of fee is paid. Initially, BIS lisence will be granted for 1 year, which would be further renewable for subsequent years.
Note: Performance Bank Guarantee should be of USD 10000 of any bank approved from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to be submitted

Time Line BIS For FMCS Licence

Total Estimated Time: 6 months Approx.
(depending on product, documentation, lab testing, and inspection coordination)

Surveillance Under BIS (FMCS)

Once a BIS licence is granted to a foreign manufacturer under FMCS, the certification doesn’t end there. BIS monitors licensees regularly to ensure continued compliance with the relevant Indian Standards and licensing conditions. This ongoing monitoring is called Surveillance.

Renewal BIS (FMCS) Licence

A BIS certified manufacturer's license remains valid for a period of one year. After this duration, it can be renewed for another year by submitting a renewal application along with the required fee. The payment details must be certified by a Chartered Accountant as part of the renewal process.