Guide of BIS Certification for Furniture 2026

BIS Certification for furniture is now mandatory for manufacturers and importers who want to sell in the Indian market. Furniture is an essential part of daily life, and poor-quality items such as beds, chairs, tables, desks, and bunk beds can cause physical problems like neck pain, spondylosis, and cervical issues. To prevent this, it’s important to use high-quality, eco-friendly furniture.

The Indian government has set regulations to ensure the reliability and durability of furniture. This helps consumers trust the products and increases sales for manufacturers, while also allowing manufacturers to build a strong reputation. 

What is BIS Certification for Furniture?

The government's Bureau of Indian Standards Certification enables consumers and manufacturers to communicate in terms of quality, safety, and reliability parameters. A bill to this effect was introduced in Parliament in 1986. BIS ISI marking under the relevant IS number is required for certain types of furniture.

It ensures that the physical and chemical qualities of the finished product are as high as possible. BIS Certification makes the product more popular and marketable, especially in regulated industries, and supports industries nationwide. The Indian Standard is a mandatory rule for furniture in India.

Indian Standard to be followed under the Indian Standard for Furniture (2025) QCO

The Furniture Quality Control Order (QCO) issues under a license held by Scheme I of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Furniture designed specifically for export is exempt from the order.

• Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are exempt from compliance for 18 months 

• Companies registered on the Ministry of MSME's Udyam Portal with a turnover of not more than ₹2 crores during the last financial year (audited by a chartered accountant) and an investment of not more than 25 lakhs in equipment and machinery would be permanently exempted from this clause.

• Manufacturers can import not more than 500 kg annually for Research and Development.

Read More: Is a BIS certificate required for import?

• The stock produced or imported before the enforcement of the order may be marketed for 6 months if it has a BIS license or is being informed about the available stock.

Check BIS Quality Control Order (QCO) for Furniture Products 

Furniture (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026

The Furniture (QCO) Amendment Order brings three major changes to the earlier exemption to the Furniture (QCO) 2025, and will come into force on 12 February 2026, which includes:

• The order does not apply to the import of up to 200 units of covered furniture products annually for Research and development purposes. These products cannot be sold commercially and must be scraped after use.

• The existing furniture stock can be sold for 12 months after the implementation, with a self-declaration to BIS.

• The non-BIS-marked products imported by furniture manufacturers are meant for export and are exempted.

• Manufacturers must maintain proper records and submit the required declaration for government verification.

Compulsory Furniture under the Bureau of Indian Standards Certification

The following furniture must comply with the QCO requirements:

1. BIS Certification for Work Chair - IS 17631
2. BIS Certification for General-purpose chairs and stools -IS 17632
3. BIS Certification for Tables and Desks - IS 17633
4. BIS Certification for Storage Units - IS 17634
5. BIS Certification for Beds - IS 17635
6. BIS Certification for Bunk beds - IS 17636

ISI Mark Certification  Process for Furniture Products

Getting BIS ISI certification for your products is simple, and you can do so by following the steps below:

1. Identification of Applicable Standards: Determine what IS applies to your product. You can do this in a jiffy by checking the Bureau of Indian Standards website and scrolling through the ready table. Once you have determined your IS, select the latest published QCO. This paper contains new guidelines and requirements.

2. Product and Supporting Documentation: Once step 1 is completed, fill in all the product details, such as the company name, manufacturing process, etc. Also, ensure that all the required documentation and ancillary technical documents (such as test reports) are uploaded online through manakonline.com.

3. Background Verification and Inspection: Your documents submitted will be subjected to background verification by BIS officials. Subsequently, your factory will be inspected by a BIS inspector to ensure that the manufacturing process meets the standards.

4. Testing: The commodities will be tested to identify their different qualities, composition, and other specifications so that they conform to the standards and laws of the era. The furniture's durability, strength, purity, and other requirements will be quantified through testing.

5. BIS Certificate Award: Upon passing all these tests, a signed certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards will be given. An ISI mark may also be awarded and utilised as an official mark on products conforming to national standards.

6. Monitoring and Surveillance: BIS controls by undertaking factory surprise inspections to implement long-term conformity. Product examination and random inspection are also conducted to ascertain long-term conformity with Indian Standards.

7. Renewal: BIS certification has to be renewed after some time; it is not a one-off job. The license becomes outdated after one to five years. You have to apply for renewal before the permit expires. You must submit the required documents and undergo inspection to retain your BIS certification.

Check the BIS Certification Process for an Indian Manufacturer

Check the BIS Certification process for a foreign Manufacturer

Benefits of Obtaining BIS Certification for Furniture

To understand the advantages of obtaining the BIS certificate, let us think about the following points:

1. Protection of customers: The consumer's interest has to be ensured through certification. This reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by dangerous or defective products and ensures that the supplied products meet the desired standard. The dialogue informs the producers and upholds these standards to ensure the product is safe and trustworthy.

2. Legal Compliance: Certain products must be BIS-certified before being sold in India. Most manufacturers must comply with BIS standards; otherwise, they will be penalised and fined for removing their products from the market. Adherence to these guidelines helps firms become authentic and escape expensive lawsuits.

3. Enhanced Quality of the Product: Certification of furniture enhances product quality and safety. BIS standards improve and standardise the quality of production by ensuring producers follow a pre-set standard. This enhances confidence in most stakeholders in the country and forces some firms to hire BIS Consultants to meet these standards.

4. Customer Trust Building: When a product is ISI-marked, the customer trusts that it is safe and reliable. The customers are brand loyal and prefer certified products to non-certified ones, so the mark reflects trust. Experts observe that Indian companies remain trusted by adhering to set protocols.

5. Removal of trade barriers: Indian manufacturers desiring to export their products may need BIS certification. Most countries consider BIS a quality assurance that can effectively penetrate the target market. With the help of BIS experts, companies can securely navigate domestic and international regulations and minimise trade barriers.

6. Ecological Responsibilities: Green industrial standards are also crucial to BIS. Environmental responsibility is incorporated in several BIS standards to enable products to have the smallest possible ecological footprint. Indian specialists are tasked with ensuring companies adhere to sustainable operations to meet international environmental requirements.

Conclusion

A BIS certificate makes manufacturers stand out and improves their relations with clients. There are a few points to keep in mind before acquiring BIS accreditation. For instance, it is necessary to know which BIS standards apply to various pieces of furniture before subjecting the product to testing at an accredited lab.

This shall be done after presenting the required documents, applying to BIS, and conducting a factory audit. Therefore, certification ensures that the product complies with safety and quality standards, promotes consumer confidence, and conforms to the provisions of the Quality Control Order (QCO), thereby driving market growth.

FAQs

Q1. Is BIS certification mandatory for furniture?

Ans: Yes, BIS certification is mandatory for 6 different types of furniture sold in India under the Quality Control Order (QCO), including work chairs, IS 17631 General-purpose chairs and stools, IS 17632 tables and desk, IS 17633 Storage units, IS 17634 Beds, IS 17635 and Bunk beds, IS 17636. Other furniture categories are not covered.

Q2. Can importers of office chairs sell in India without BIS certification?

Ans: No, the imported office chairs fall under the IS 17631; they can be sold without a valid BIS/ISI certification in India.

Q3. What is the BIS standard for furniture in India?

Ans: Under the Furniture Quality Control Order, 6 specific categories of furniture imported or manufactured goods must comply with indian standards. These standards are: IS 17631, IS 17632, IS 17633, IS 17634, IS 17635  and IS 17636.

Q4. How to choose the right BIS consultant for furniture in India?

Ans: Look for demonstrated experience and knowledge in the BIS/ISI mark, successful records in the audit field, and customer reviews for smooth and faster BIS procedures. 

Q5. Are imported tables and desks exempted?

Ans: No tables and desks are not exempted, they must comply with IS 1763 to obtain BIS certification before being sold or imported in India.