In the last few years, the Indian government has significantly expanded the list of products requiring BIS certification. From electronics and IT products to household appliances and industrial equipment, the list is growing, and so is the scrutiny.

For brands, OEMs, and start-ups, this means you’re not just looking for a manufacturer who can build your product. You’re looking for someone who can build it the right way, with compliance baked into every step. And that’s where the real challenge begins. 

Not All Manufacturers Understand BIS the Way They Claim To

It’s common to hear, “We’re BIS compliant,” but what does that actually mean?
In reality, BIS certification is granted for a specific product, under a specific Indian Standard (IS), and often for a specific manufacturing location. It is not a blanket approval that a factory carries across product categories.

A manufacturer may have BIS certification for LED lamps, but may never have handled a mobile charger or a power bank. That’s a problem because different products fall under different standards and certification schemes.

When evaluating partners, don’t stop at the claim. Ask if they’ve handled BIS certification for your exact product type before, and what that process looked like.

Your Manufacturing Location Matters

BIS certification is tied to the manufacturing location. That means even if your design is ready, and your product has been certified once, switching factories or scaling up to a new location means you need to reapply for certification under that new location.

If your partner isn’t upfront about this or if they aren’t equipped to repeat the compliance process efficiently at a second site, it could delay your launch or scale-up plans.

Testing and Sample Readiness Can Delay Everything

Once your application is submitted, you need to submit product samples for testing at a BIS-recognized lab. This sounds simple, but it often isn’t.

The product must be production-grade and ready for evaluation. Incomplete enclosure parts, mismatched labels, missing user manuals, or even uncalibrated test jigs can result in test failures or rejections. And every failed round sets you back by weeks.

A manufacturing partner who understands how to build BIS test-ready samples, what documentation is required, and how to interact with the BIS-recognized labs can help you avoid costly delays.

Don’t Overlook the Importance of Documentation

One of the biggest compliance pitfalls isn’t technical—it’s administrative.
BIS certification involves a lot of documentation: component lists, factory layout plans, internal test reports, calibration records, control plans, quality protocols, and more. These documents are part of what the BIS inspectors will evaluate during the factory audit.

Manufacturers who don’t maintain organized records or don’t have experience preparing for audits can struggle to meet the compliance standards, even if the product itself is well-made.

Post-Certification Compliance Is Real (and Often Ignored)

Getting the BIS license isn’t the end of the story.
Depending on your product and the scheme under which it is registered, BIS may conduct surveillance inspections, require periodic market sampling, and request fresh testing from time to time.

Labels also need to follow BIS-prescribed formats—mislabeling can result in product seizures or fines.

The manufacturers you work with need to have systems in place for ongoing compliance, not just a one-time effort to get the certificate.

Be Clear About Certification Ownership

Another issue that often causes friction later: who is the actual license holder?

In the case of CRS (which applies to electronics and IT hardware), the license is typically granted to the brand owner or importer, not the manufacturer. However, the certification is still linked to the specific factory where the product is made.

This means your partner should be comfortable supporting the certification process in your name and be cooperative during audits and lab testing. If they’re unwilling—or unclear—about this, it’s a red flag.

So, What Should You Expect From a Good BIS-Compliant Manufacturing Partner?

You’re not looking for someone who just “does manufacturing.” You need a partner who:

• Understands the BIS certification path for your specific product category
• Has experience with documentation and lab coordination
• Maintains a factory that’s audit-ready at all times
• Can produce test-ready samples that align with compliance expectations
• Supports ownership clarity and post-certification obligations

Remember, BIS certification is not just about ticking off regulatory boxes. It’s about product credibility, market access, and long-term business viability.

When your manufacturing partner understands that, you’re not just meeting compliance—you’re building for scale, sustainability, and trust.