How Can Overseas Manufacturers Apply for BIS FMCS Certification in India? Latest Update
BIS FMCS certification
If you make a product abroad and want to sell it in India, there is a fair chance the Bureau of Indian Standards will want to hear from you first. Many goods are covered by mandatory quality rules, and a foreign factory cannot simply ship them in and hope. That is where BIS FMCS Certification in India comes in. At UMSPCS, we guide overseas brands through this every week, and the question we hear most lately is: “What has changed, and how do we apply now?” This guide answers both.
What Is the BIS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme?
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) lets a factory located outside India obtain the ISI mark licence directly from BIS. It runs under the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Here the overseas manufacturer itself holds the licence.
In plain terms, BIS FMCS Certification in India proves that your factory, your process and your product meet the relevant Indian Standard. Once the licence is granted, you can apply the ISI mark and export to Indian buyers.
The Latest Update: Online Filing on MANAK
This is the part most manufacturers are asking about. According to announcements shared by several certification consultants, BIS has moved FMCS applications to a fully online system from 1 June 2026. New applications are filed through the MANAK Online portal (manakonline.in), and physical or offline submissions are no longer being accepted.
A few practical points from the portal:
• The application is a single online form divided into nine sections, covering general details, management and the Indian representative, manufacturing process, packaging and brand, testing, test reports, declarations, preview and fee payment.
• You will not be able to start a new application until your organisation profile is fully complete.
• The registered email address cannot be changed later, so use a shared corporate mailbox rather than one person’s inbox.
There is also talk in the industry about licence renewals being offered for longer terms, with some consultancies mentioning three years. We found no formal BIS circular quoted, so confirm this with BIS, along with how applications already in progress are handled.
Who Needs BIS FMCS Certification in India?
Any overseas manufacturer needing BIS FMCS Certification in India has a product that falls under a BIS compulsory certification order needs a licence before the goods can be sold in India. Typical examples include steel and metal products, cement, electrical appliances, household items, and some chemicals. Your first job is to check your exact product against the list of mandatory Indian Standards. A wrong standard number at the start can cost months.
How to Apply for BIS FMCS Certification in India: Step by Step
Here is the sequence most manufacturers follow.
1. Confirm the Indian Standard. Identify the IS number that applies to your product and check whether it is under compulsory certification.
2. Appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR). Every foreign applicant must nominate one. The AIR is based in India, files the application on your behalf, and talks to BIS when questions come up. A signed nomination letter on your letterhead is expected, along with proof of the AIR’s Indian address.
3. Create your MANAK account. Register, verify your email and mobile number through OTP, and complete the organisation profile with your KYC papers.
4. Fill in the online application. Work through the nine sections, uploading documents as PDF or Excel files. Each file generally has a 20 MB size limit.
5. Pay the fee. The portal calculates the amount in Indian rupees, and the dollar equivalent is paid by bank transfer, with the bank advice uploaded as proof. Verify current fees.
6. Factory inspection and sampling. A BIS officer visits your plant to review the manufacturing process and testing setup, and draws samples. You are expected to be ready for the visit within a short window after submission, so prepare before you apply.
7. Product testing. Samples go to a BIS-recognised laboratory.
8. Licence grant. If the inspection and test results are satisfactory, BIS issues the licence and you can begin using the ISI mark.
Documents You Should Keep Ready
Documents vary by product, but a typical file for BIS FMCS Certification in India includes:
• Company registration and proof of the factory address
• AIR nomination letter and the representative’s address proof
• Raw material list with supplier details
• Process flow chart and factory layout plan
• Machinery list and testing equipment list in BIS’s own Excel templates
• Scheme of Inspection and Testing
• In-house test report in the prescribed format
• Brand and trademark documents, label artwork, and marking details
Missing or mismatched papers are the top reason applications stall, so audit your file before filing.
Read also What Documents Are Required for BIS Registration for Vietnam Manufacturers?
Mistakes That Slow Things Down
Three slips show up again and again: treating the AIR as a formality, arriving at inspection without calibration records and trained staff, and using company names that differ between the registration, label and application. Fix these early and the process runs smoother.
How Long Does It Take?
There is no fixed answer. Timelines depend on your product, how complete your documents are, when the inspection is scheduled and how long the lab takes. Plan for several months, and know that a clean application moves faster.
How UMSPCS Can Help
Handling BIS FMCS Certification in India for the first time can feel like learning a new language. UMSPCS supports overseas manufacturers end to end: identifying the correct standard, acting as your Authorised Indian Representative, preparing and reviewing documents, setting up your MANAK account, coordinating inspection and testing, and handling renewals. We tell you early if something will cause a delay. To get your product and documents reviewed, reach out to UMSPCS.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is BIS FMCS Certification in India?
It is a licence issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards to factories outside India, allowing them to use the ISI mark on products covered by Indian Standards.
2. Is BIS FMCS Certification in India applied for online now?
Industry announcements say new FMCS applications are filed on the MANAK Online portal from 1 June 2026, with offline submissions no longer accepted. Confirm the position with BIS or your consultant before filing.
3. Do I need an Indian representative?
Yes. Every foreign manufacturer must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative who files the application and communicates with BIS.
4. Will BIS inspect my overseas factory?
Yes. A BIS officer normally visits the factory to review the process and testing facilities and to draw samples.
5. How long is a BIS FMCS Certification in India licence valid?
Validity and renewal terms are set by BIS and may be changed. Some sources mention multi-year renewals, so check the latest BIS guidance for your licence.
6. Can UMSPCS handle BIS FMCS Certification in India end to end?
Yes. UMSPCS can manage everything from standard identification and AIR services to filing, inspection coordination and renewal.
Disclaimer: BIS updates rules and fees from time to time. Verify current requirements before applying.