BIS FMCS Certification: Complete Guide for Foreign Manufacturers in India

Foreign manufacturers planning to sell regulated products in India may need BIS certification under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).

The scheme allows eligible manufacturers located outside India to obtain a BIS licence for using the BIS Standard Mark on products that conform to the applicable Indian Standard.

BIS has operated FMCS since 2000. The scheme is administered by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) at BIS Headquarters in New Delhi.

For a foreign manufacturer, obtaining BIS certification involves more than submitting an application.

The manufacturer must demonstrate conformity with the applicable Indian Standard, have suitable manufacturing and testing facilities, nominate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), and successfully complete the BIS assessment and testing requirements.

What is BIS FMCS Certification?

The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is a BIS certification scheme specifically designed for manufacturers whose manufacturing facilities are located outside India.

Under FMCS, BIS grants a licence to the foreign manufacturer to use the BIS Standard Mark on products that comply with the relevant Indian Standard and applicable certification requirements.

The scheme covers products other than Electronics & IT Goods notified under MeitY's Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). Therefore, a foreign manufacturer should first identify the applicable BIS certification route for its product before applying.

Who Can Apply for BIS FMCS?

A foreign manufacturer can apply under FMCS if its manufacturing facility is located outside India and it can demonstrate conformity with the applicable Indian Standard.

The manufacturer should have:

1. Appropriate manufacturing machinery and facilities
2. Required testing equipment and arrangements
3. Competent testing personnel
4. Capability to test the product according to the applicable Indian Standard
5. Acceptance of the applicable Scheme of Testing and Inspection (STI)
6. Acceptance of BIS licence terms and conditions

BIS also requires a separate application for each product/Indian Standard and each manufacturing location, as applicable.

Role of the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

An Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) is an important requirement for foreign manufacturers applying under FMCS.

The AIR must be an Indian resident and is responsible for representing the foreign manufacturer in matters relating to compliance with the BIS Act, rules, regulations and licence conditions.

Where the foreign manufacturer has an Indian branch or office, an eligible person from that office may be nominated. Otherwise, an appropriately appointed Indian representative can be nominated.

The AIR also facilitates communication with BIS and supports activities such as sample-related requirements and regulatory correspondence.

Read: BIS FMCS Certification: A Complete Guide for Foreign

BIS FMCS Certification Process

The BIS FMCS certification process generally involves the following stages:

1. Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

The manufacturer must first identify the Indian Standard (IS) applicable to the product and determine whether BIS certification is required.

2. Check Manufacturing and Testing Facilities

The manufacturer should review its production infrastructure, quality-control arrangements and testing capabilities against the applicable Indian Standard and BIS requirements.

3. Prepare the Application and Documents

The manufacturer prepares the prescribed application, technical information, manufacturing details, testing arrangements and other required documents. An Authorized Indian Representative must also be nominated.

4. Submit the Application

BIS currently provides online submission of FMCS applications through the Manakonline portal. BIS has stated that offline/hard-copy FMCS applications were accepted only up to 31 May 2026, with online submission becoming mandatory from 1 June 2026.

5. Application Scrutiny

BIS scrutinizes the application and may raise queries if information or documents are incomplete. The applicant must respond to these queries and complete any deficiencies.

6. Factory Assessment

Once the application is complete, BIS arranges a visit to the foreign manufacturing facility to assess manufacturing infrastructure, process controls, quality-control systems and testing capabilities.

7. Product Testing

Samples may be drawn during the factory visit and sent for independent testing in an applicable BIS-recognized or approved laboratory in India. The product must conform to the relevant Indian Standard.

8. Grant of BIS Licence

After satisfactory completion of the factory assessment, testing and other applicable requirements, the case is processed for grant of the BIS licence. The manufacturer must complete the applicable fee and marking-related requirements before the licence is granted.

Documents Required for BIS FMCS Certification

The exact documents depend on the product and applicable Indian Standard. Generally, foreign manufacturers may need to provide:

1. Company and manufacturing-facility details
2. Product and technical information
3. Details of manufacturing machinery and production processes
4. List of testing equipment and laboratory facilities
5. Details and qualifications of testing personnel
6. Quality-control and testing procedures
7. Factory layout and process flow information
8. Applicable test reports and technical documents
9. Undertakings and declarations required by BIS
10. Authorized Indian Representative nomination documents
11. Documents relating to the brand/trademark, where applicable
12. Other product-specific documents prescribed by BIS

The final checklist should be prepared according to the applicable Indian Standard and BIS product-specific requirements.

BIS FMCS Certification Timeline

The FMCS process involves application scrutiny, factory assessment, sample testing and regulatory processing, so the actual timeline depends on the product, documentation, factory readiness, testing and response to BIS queries.

BIS's published FMCS process information indicates a normal processing period of around six months, while also noting that the actual time may increase when applicant-side actions, testing, visa arrangements or other requirements cause delays.

Therefore, foreign manufacturers should begin the certification process well before their planned Indian market launch.

BIS FMCS Certification Fees

The total cost of FMCS certification depends on the product and application. It can include applicable application fees, inspection-related expenses, testing charges, licence fees, marking fees and expenses associated with the BIS factory visit.

For foreign manufacturers, additional expenses can also arise from the travel, visa and related costs associated with the BIS audit team.

The exact fee should therefore be calculated according to the applicable product and certification requirements rather than using a single fixed FMCS certification cost.

Benefits of BIS FMCS Certification

Obtaining BIS certification under FMCS can help foreign manufacturers:

1. Meet applicable mandatory BIS requirements for regulated products
2. Legally use the BIS Standard Mark where permitted under the licence
3. Access the Indian market with the required product certification
4. Demonstrate conformity with applicable Indian Standards
5. Build confidence among Indian importers, distributors and buyers
6. Establish a structured compliance process for continued supply to India

Where a product is covered by a mandatory Quality Control Order, obtaining the required BIS licence becomes particularly important before placing the product on the Indian market.

Why Choose SS Global Services for BIS FMCS Certification?

For foreign manufacturers, BIS FMCS involves coordination between the manufacturer, Authorized Indian Representative, BIS officials, testing laboratories and other stakeholders.

SS Global Services provides support throughout the certification process, including:

1. Identification of the applicable BIS standard
2. Product and certification route assessment
3. Documentation preparation and review
4. Authorized Indian Representative support
5. Application preparation and submission
6. Coordination for testing and factory assessment
7. Support during BIS queries and clarifications
8. Follow-up throughout the certification process
9. Post-certification compliance support

Our objective is to help foreign manufacturers prepare correctly before submission and reduce avoidable delays during the BIS FMCS certification process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BIS FMCS mandatory for foreign manufacturers?

BIS certification is generally mandatory where the product is covered by a compulsory certification requirement such as an applicable Quality Control Order. For other products, certification may be voluntary. The applicable requirement should be checked against the product and current BIS notifications

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Can a foreign manufacturer apply for BIS certification?

Yes. Foreign manufacturers with manufacturing facilities outside India can apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme, subject to applicable BIS requirements.

Is an Authorized Indian Representative mandatory?

Yes. Foreign manufacturers applying under FMCS are required to nominate an Authorized Indian Representative who meets BIS requirements.

Can an importer apply for FMCS on behalf of a foreign manufacturer?

No. Under FMCS, the application is made by the foreign manufacturer. The importer or another eligible person may have a role as the Authorized Indian Representative where the applicable requirements are fulfilled.

How long does BIS FMCS certification take?

BIS's published process information indicates a normal processing period of around six months, although the actual timeline can vary depending on documentation, factory assessment, testing, queries and other factors.

Can one BIS FMCS application cover multiple factories?

A separate application is required for each product/Indian Standard and each manufacturing premises, as specified by BIS.