Mandatory BIS Certification in India: Polyurethane Products Must Comply with Standards

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established mandatory certification for polyurethane (PU) products under the Polyurethane Quality Control Order. Manufacturers are required to ensure that their products comply with IS 17397 (Part 1):2020 or ISO 16365-1:2014, which outline basic quality parameters such as performance, durability, and safety. To meet the requirements, polyurethane products must bear the BIS Standard Mark, in accordance with Scheme I of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, allowing them to be imported and sold in India.

The Quality Control Order was initially issued in September 2021 and revised in September 2024, setting March 19, 2025, as the final date for mandatory implementation. BIS certification applies to all types of polyurethane, whether thermosetting or thermoplastic, and is crucial for applications like adhesives, coatings, and synthetic fibers. Compliance with BIS certification ensures that polyurethane products meet required quality and safety standards, provides manufacturers with market access, and maintains regulatory compliance.

As a third-party certification body, BIS-certified products are marked with the ISI label, which holds broad influence and strong credibility in India and neighboring countries, serving as a reliable guarantee of product quality. Products with the "ISI mark" signify compliance with Indian standards, ensuring consumer confidence. Since 1955, India has implemented a product certification system to unify regulatory standards and requirements, ensuring product quality and safety.

Under the BIS Act, 1986, product certification in India is typically voluntary. However, to safeguard public health, safety, and mass consumption, the Indian government enforces mandatory certification for specific products through instant ordinances. All products subject to mandatory certification must obtain a product certification certificate to enter the market.

Since BIS's predecessor, the Indian Standards Institution, began product certification in 1955, India's certification system has a history spanning over 50 years. To date, BIS has issued more than 30,000 product certification certificates, allowing manufacturers to use the ISI mark. The certification scope includes agriculture, textiles, electronics, and nearly every industrial field.