BIS Quality Control Orders 2026: Mandatory Certification Requirements Every Manufacturer and Importer Must Know

The Bureau of Indian Standards, functioning under the BIS Act, 2016, has significantly expanded the scope of mandatory product certification in India through a series of Quality Control Orders issued in 2025 and 2026. Products ranging from household furniture to aluminium utensils and aesthetic skin-treatment devices now require BIS certification before they can be manufactured, imported, or sold in India. Non-compliance attracts penalties under the BIS Act, including imprisonment and fines.

What Is a Quality Control Order

A Quality Control Order is issued by the Central Government under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016, specifying that a particular category of goods may only be produced, stored, sold, hired, or imported in India if they conform to an Indian Standard and carry the BIS Standard Mark. Once a QCO is notified, manufacturers and importers must apply for BIS certification, have their products tested at BIS-accredited laboratories, and obtain a licence before the compliance deadline. Operating without a BIS licence after the effective date is an offence under Section 29 of the BIS Act, punishable with fine or imprisonment.

Key QCOs Effective in 2026

Several important QCOs have come into force or been notified in 2025 and 2026. The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 became mandatory from 13 February 2026 for everyday furniture including beds, tables, desks, chairs, stools, and storage units. The Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Products (Quality Control) Order, 2026, notified on 11 March 2026 under Section 16 of the BIS Act, mandates BIS certification for aluminium utensils and beverage cans, with phased compliance from October 2026 to April 2027 depending on enterprise size. On 19 March 2026, a further QCO made BIS certification mandatory for electrically powered aesthetic and skin-treatment devices including certain laser and light-therapy equipment.

Gold and Silver Hallmarking

Mandatory BIS hallmarking for gold jewellery and artefacts has been in force since June 2021 for 14, 18, and 22-karat gold. Silver hallmarking became mandatory from September 2025. All gold and silver jewellery sold in India must carry a Hallmark Unique Identification number and the BIS mark. Jewellers selling hallmarked jewellery must be registered with BIS. Selling non-hallmarked gold or silver jewellery after these respective effective dates is an offence under the BIS Act.

Practical Takeaways

Manufacturers and importers of any product category that may be covered by a QCO should regularly check the BIS website for new and forthcoming orders. The lead time for obtaining BIS certification, which involves product testing at accredited laboratories, factory inspection, and licence grant, can range from several weeks to several months. Businesses that fail to start the certification process well before the effective date risk supply chain disruption and legal exposure. Importers must verify that products cleared at customs comply with applicable QCOs, as goods imported without the required BIS mark may be seized at the port of entry.