HOW TO APPLY ONLINE FOR BIS ISI CERTIFICATION FOR FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS IN 2026

India is one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world, and more foreign manufacturers are eyeing it seriously. But getting your products in front of Indian buyers takes more than a competitive price tag. You need to clear regulatory requirements — and for most product categories, that starts with BIS Certification.

In 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has upgraded its digital infrastructure through the Manak Online platform, making it easier for overseas companies to handle the BIS FMCS registration process without drowning in paperwork.

The updated portal lets foreign manufacturers manage document submissions, track inspection schedules, and handle regulatory correspondence in one place — which, if you've dealt with the older system, is a meaningful improvement.

At Absolute Veritas, we work with manufacturers, exporters, and international companies to manage BIS Certification in India, FMCS approval, ISI Mark licensing, and end-to-end regulatory compliance for India market entry.

Understanding BIS ISI Certification for Foreign Manufacturers

The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is the route overseas manufacturers take to get permission to use the ISI Mark on products sold in India.

To get there, manufacturers need to go through:

• Product testing at BIS-approved laboratories

• Factory inspection by BIS officials

• Technical documentation review

• Quality management verification

• Online BIS registration

For most regulated product categories, this isn't optional — BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers is mandatory before products can legally enter the Indian market.

Why the BIS FMCS Online Portal Matters in 2026

The upgraded Manak Online portal addresses problems that used to slow down the BIS registration process considerably.

Companies previously had to deal with:

• Heavy paperwork

• No visibility into application status

• Slow back-and-forth on compliance communication

• Manual document handling

• Regulatory coordination delays that stretched timelines unnecessarily

The new system changes quite a bit of that. Manufacturers can now:

• Track application status in real time

• Upload technical documents digitally

• Manage BIS queries faster

• Coordinate factory inspections more efficiently

• Avoid many of the delays that plagued the old process

As India steps up product quality enforcement, companies with organized compliance systems will consistently get through approvals faster than those scrambling to catch up.

Products Covered Under BIS Certification in India

Several product categories require mandatory BIS ISI Certification before they can be imported or sold in India:

• Electronics products

• Electrical appliances

• LED lighting products

• Steel and metal products

• Construction materials

• Chemicals and industrial goods

• Consumer appliances

• Automotive components

• Industrial machinery

Manufacturers exporting any of these must comply with the relevant Indian Standards (IS Codes) and BIS FMCS regulations.

Step-by-Step BIS FMCS Registration Process

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

Every product category maps to a specific Indian Standard (IS Code). Getting this wrong at the start causes delays later — sometimes significant ones. It's worth spending time on this step before anything else.

Step 2: Appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

Foreign manufacturers without a physical office in India need to appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) who handles regulatory communication and compliance management with BIS on their behalf.

Step 3: Register on the BIS Manak Online Portal

The application goes through the official portal at www.manakonline.in. Through the portal, businesses can:

• Submit BIS applications online

• Upload compliance documents

• Track certification status

• Respond to BIS queries

• Monitor inspection updates

Step 4: Prepare Technical Documentation

You'll need to pull together:

• Factory registration documents

• Product specifications

• Quality control records

• Calibration certificates

• Product labeling artwork

• Internal testing reports

• Trademark authorization documents

Documentation is one of the most common sticking points in BIS applications. Getting it organized early makes a real difference in how quickly things move.

Step 5: Product Testing

Products must be tested against applicable Indian Standards at BIS-recognized laboratories. Testing typically covers:

• Electrical safety

• Performance evaluation

• Mechanical testing

• Chemical analysis

• Durability assessment

Step 6: BIS Factory Inspection

BIS officials visit the manufacturing facility to assess:

• Manufacturing capability

• Production consistency

• Testing infrastructure

• Quality management systems

• Raw material controls

Step 7: Grant of BIS License

Once the application clears, manufacturers can legally:

• Use the ISI Mark on products

• Export products to India

• Sell in the Indian market

• Meet mandatory BIS compliance requirements

Official BIS FMCS Online Application Manual (2026)

BIS has published an official FMCS Application Submission User Manual for the Manak Online Portal to help foreign manufacturers work through the updated process.

The manual covers:

• FMCS account registration

• BIS Manak Online login steps

• Organization profile setup

• Indian Standard selection

• Manufacturing process documentation

• Packing and brand details submission

• Testing and inspection details

• Test report upload process

• Declaration and undertaking submission

• Application preview and payment

One useful feature: if you don't know the IS Code at the time of filing, the portal lets you search applicable Indian Standards directly within the application interface. You can also save a draft and return to it — the application stays editable until payment is completed.

Common Challenges in BIS Certification

Most delays in BIS certification come down to a handful of recurring issues:

• Incorrect product classification

• Incomplete technical documentation

• Factory inspection observations that weren't anticipated

• Testing failures

• Slow responses to BIS queries

• Improper product labeling

• Weak compliance systems going into the process

The documentation piece is underestimated more often than anything else. It's not glamorous work, but it's usually what separates a smooth approval from a drawn-out one.

Best Practices for Faster BIS Approval

A few things that consistently make a difference:

• Keep technical documentation organized and current

• Prepare your factory team before the inspection happens

• Run internal compliance audits before filing

• Respond quickly when BIS raises observations

• Work with consultants who know the BIS process well

• Double-check the applicable Indian Standards before submitting

Companies that treat BIS compliance as an ongoing process — rather than a one-time checkbox — tend to move through approvals without the usual friction.

Why Choose Absolute Veritas for BIS Certification?

Absolute Veritas provides hands-on support across the full BIS certification process:

• BIS Certification Services

• ISI Mark Certification

• BIS FMCS Registration

• BIS Registration for Foreign Manufacturers

• Factory Inspection Support

• Technical Documentation Preparation

• Compliance Management Services

We work with manufacturers, exporters, importers, and international brands to reduce compliance risk and get products into the Indian market without unnecessary delays.

Need expert support for BIS Certification and FMCS registration?
Get in touch with our compliance team today.
Email: cs@absoluteveritas.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS