Bureau of Indian Standards

What Bureau of Indian Standards does

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body, established under the BIS Act 2016 and operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It functions as a statutory regulatory and conformity assessment organization with exclusive authority to formulate Indian Standards, grant product and management system certifications, conduct enforcement actions, and mandate standards through Quality Control Orders. The organization publishes over 23,000 Indian Standards with 95% alignment to international benchmarks, holds 55,000+ active certification licenses, and operates 230+ recognized hallmarking centres covering gold jewellery purity verification (using HUID numbers) across 380 districts. Headquartered at Manak Bhawan in New Delhi, BIS runs a nationwide network comprising 5 regional offices and 24 branch offices serving manufacturers, consumers, and industry stakeholders. The Director General, Shri Sanjay Garg (IAS), leads a 1,001–5,000 employee organization under a Governing Council structure.

BIS offers a portfolio of interconnected conformity assessment services including the ISI Mark product certification scheme, mandatory gold hallmarking with HUID verification, system certification for management systems (ISO 9001, 14001, 22000, 21001, 50001), Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for electronics, laboratory testing services, and training through the National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS). The technology stack includes the BIS CARE mobile application supporting 12 languages for consumer verification and the eBIS online portal for license management and standards downloads. Recent product development spans standards for cloud computing and data centre performance, ethical AI deployment, offshore wind turbines, diamond terminology disclosure, ethanol blending (E20-E30), community seed banks, medical assistive technology, and digital gaming content labeling. BIS is government-funded rather than commercially revenue-generating, with certification fees functioning as regulatory charges. Pricing includes MSME fee concessions of 80% reduction for micro enterprises, 50% for small, and 20% for medium-sized firms, extended for three years beyond mid-2026.

BIS targets horizontally segmented customer groups with manufacturing MSMEs as the primary licensee base (80% of licensees), alongside jewellery manufacturers and retailers, oil marketing companies, gaming publishers, food processors, medical assistive technology manufacturers, and educational institutions. Strategic priorities include the AI-powered SMART Standards programme, expansion of mandatory gold hallmarking to additional districts, exploration of mandatory silver hallmarking, and systematic international partnership development with Kenya Bureau of Standards, Standards Australia, the UK on green hydrogen safety, and hosted ISO TC 20/SC 14 meetings. Enforcement activity is high-frequency, with documented seizures of counterfeit hallmarked gold, fake ISI-marked electronics, helmets, cables, and pressure cookers across multiple Indian cities, demonstrating active market surveillance against the 723+ products now covered under Quality Control Orders.

Name

Bureau of Indian Standards

Legal name

Bureau of Indian Standards

Website

https://bis.gov.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Bureau of Indian Standards is India's national standards body operating under the BIS Act 2016, publishing 23,000+ Indian Standards, running 55,000+ certification licenses, and operating 230+ hallmarking centres serving manufacturers, jewellery retailers, and consumers across India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Standards and Conformity Assessment

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)

Keywords

• Standards development
• Product certification
• Gold hallmarking services
• Conformity assessment
• Laboratory testing

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bureau of Indian Standards is India's national standards body that formulates and publishes Indian Standards across sectors and operates conformity assessment schemes including product certification (ISI Mark), mandatory hallmarking for gold jewellery, system certification, foreign manufacturer certification, and compulsory registration for electronic goods. It also operates recognized laboratories and provides training through the National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS) under the BIS Act, 2016.

Product overview

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body operating under the BIS Act 2016. It functions as a regulatory and facilitation organization rather than a commercial product company. BIS offers a portfolio of standardization and conformity assessment services including: Indian Standards development and publication; Product Certification (ISI Mark Scheme) for voluntary and mandatory product standards; Mandatory Gold Hallmarking with HUID verification; System Certification for management systems (ISO standards); Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS); Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for electronics; Laboratory testing services and recognition; Training through NITS; and digital services via the BIS CARE App and eBIS portal. These services are interconnected components of India's quality infrastructure ecosystem, with standards providing the technical foundation upon which certification, hallmarking, and testing services operate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Indian Standards (BIS Standards) BIS develops and publishes Indian Standards covering various sectors including chemicals, civil engineering, electronics, textiles, food, and more. These standards provide technical specifications, test methods, and guidelines for products, services, and systems used by manufacturers, regulators, and laboratories.
• Product Certification (ISI Mark Scheme) BIS operates a product certification scheme under which manufacturers can use the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) on products that conform to Indian Standards. The certification is voluntary but mandatory for specified products under Quality Control Orders, with 55,000+ active licences issued.
• Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery BIS implements mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery ensuring purity verification through Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) numbers across 14, 18, 20, 22, 23, and 24 carat purity grades. Over 60 crore gold items have been hallmarked with HUID numbers since mandatory hallmarking began.
• System Certification BIS provides system certification services for organizations to demonstrate compliance with management system standards such as ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), ISO 22000 (Food Safety), ISO 50001 (Energy), and ISO 21001 (Educational Organisations).
• Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) BIS certifies foreign manufacturers through FMCS, allowing them to obtain BIS Standard Mark licences for products exported to India. The scheme covers products under compulsory certification where foreign manufacturers need BIS certification to access Indian markets.
• Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) BIS operates a registration scheme for electronic and IT goods under which manufacturers must register products that conform to specified Indian Standards before selling in India. Covers items like laptops, tablets, smart watches, LED products, and other electronics.
• Laboratory Services BIS operates laboratories providing testing facilities for various products and materials. BIS also recognizes external laboratories and operates a Laboratory Recognition Scheme to ensure testing infrastructure meets standards.
• Training Services (NITS) BIS provides training through the National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS) offering programs on standards, certification processes, quality management, and specific sector-related training for industry professionals.
• BIS CARE App Mobile application enabling consumers to verify hallmarking and authenticity of gold jewellery through HUID verification system. The app supports 12 Indian languages and provides verification of BIS-certified products for end consumers.
• eBIS Portal (Manakonline) Online portal for various BIS services including standards download, application submissions, license management, and access to BIS digital resources for manufacturers, consumers, and other stakeholders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Toy sector: Imports fell 79% from USD 304 million to USD 65 million between FY2018-19 and FY2023-24 while exports rose 40% from USD 109 million to USD 152 million
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ISO Technical Committee 20/Subcommittee 14coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026BIS hosted the 35th ISO TC 20/SC 14 meetings on Space Systems and Operations in New Delhi with 131 international delegates from 13 countries. India is seeking greater role in global space norms and aligning domestic standards with international frameworks for the growing space industry.
• Customs and Trade Facilitation BodiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2026India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee produced cooperation frameworks between BIS and KEBS, customs facilitation agreement between CBIC and KRA, and operationalisation of Special Rupee Vostro Accounts for local currency settlement.
• Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026BIS signed MoU with KEBS for standards cooperation as part of India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee meeting in Nairobi. The cooperation framework aims to strengthen bilateral trade and economic engagement between the two countries.
• Standards Australia LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026BIS and Standards Australia jointly hosted a webinar on ICT and Data Centres on March 25, 2026. The webinar brought together standards community experts and industry leaders to discuss trends, challenges, and best practices for digital infrastructure, emphasizing global collaboration and alignment with international standards.
• United Kingdom (Hydrogen Safety Standards)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2026India and UK held a conference in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation on safety standards and regulatory frameworks for green hydrogen under India's National Green Hydrogen Mission. Technical sessions addressed safe design and operation of hydrogen facilities, risk assessment methods, and AI-based monitoring systems.
• IIT RoorkeeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2026Patanjali University collaborated with IIT Roorkee and BIS for international conference on smart technologies in healthcare and management. Conference focused on AI in healthcare, telemedicine, IoT, digital health management, and cybersecurity.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIS collaborated with RBI to introduce IS 18663:2024, the Indian Standard for Note Sorting Machines, to combat counterfeit currency circulation. More than 2.29 lakh fake currencies were detected in the most recent financial year, with approximately 95% originating from non-RBI banks and NBFCs.
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIS developed six new standards for medical assistive technologies under NLEAP initiative in consultation with ICMR, AIIMS, and social organizations. Standards cover mobility aids, tactile maps, braille signage, and portable ramps for wheelchair users.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO): Global federation of national standards bodies. BIS is a member body of ISO, contributing to international standard development and adopting ISO standards into the Indian framework. Comparable as the international apex standards body in which BIS participates.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): International standards body for electrotechnology. BIS is a member, and several BIS standards (offshore wind turbines, electrical appliances QCO) are aligned with IEC frameworks. Comparable as the international counterpart for BIS's electrotechnical standardization work.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV SÜD: Global testing, inspection, and certification organization. Comparable to BIS in operating certification schemes, system certification (ISO 9001, 14001, etc. - which BIS also offers), and laboratory testing services. Represents a private-sector alternative model.
• UL (Underwriters Laboratories): Global safety certification company providing testing, inspection, and certification services. Comparable to BIS in operating product certification schemes (UL Mark equivalent to ISI Mark) and operating testing laboratories, though as a private commercial entity.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI): US national standards body coordinating standardization and conformity assessment. Comparable to BIS as the national standards coordinating organization for the United States, with similar functions in international representation and accreditation oversight.
• Standardization Administration of China (SAC): China's national standards body responsible for GB standards. Functionally equivalent to BIS as a state-administered national standards authority for the world's largest manufacturing economy, with similar scope of mandatory standards, certification schemes, and international engagement.

Regional players

• Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS): Kenya's national standards body. Recently signed MoU with BIS for standards cooperation. As a developing-economy standards body serving as a regional quality infrastructure anchor for East Africa, KEBS operates a comparable regulatory framework in a different geography.

Direct peers

• Standards Australia: Australia's national standards body. Recent MoU and webinar collaboration with BIS on ICT and Data Centres demonstrates direct peer relationship. Both organizations develop national standards, coordinate international engagement, and provide certification services.
• Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN): Germany's national standards body. Directly comparable to BIS as a national standards organization with similar portfolio of standards development, certification services, and international representation. Both publish tens of thousands of national standards and represent their countries in ISO/IEC.
• British Standards Institution (BSI): UK national standards body and one of the world's leading certification/standards organizations. Closest international peer to BIS in terms of core function - developing national standards, operating certification schemes (Kitemark), and providing training - with the key difference that BSI operates as a commercial enterprise.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IndianStandards
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCY14t6PrQBFge-8X_4MdoiQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/IndianStandards
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/indianstandards
• Instagraminstagram.com/indianstandards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bureau of Indian Standards