What Is BIS Certification for Furniture?
If you are planning to manufacture, import, or sell furniture in India, this guide will help you understand the latest compliance regulations and navigate the BIS certification process smoothly. In addition, this guide will provide relevant compliance information and the expertise needed to conduct the business successfully and obtain the certification.
BIS certification for furniture is a mandatory quality and safety approval issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Furniture Quality Control Order. This approval ensures that the furniture products listed below meet the strict performance criteria defined by Indian norms for strength, durability, and structural stability before being sold or imported. The BIS certification approval is governed by the BIS Act of 2016 and the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulation of 2018. Certified products may bear the Standard Mark (ISI Mark), which indicates compliance with all required quality and safety standards.
BIS certification is given to the manufacturer, not the importer or dealer. Indian manufacturers apply through the domestic BIS scheme, while foreign manufacturers must obtain certification through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) before exporting any furniture to India. Obtaining BIS certification ensures legal compliance, enhances product credibility, increases customer trust, and facilitates access to the Indian market.
The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 – What Changed in 2026
The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 requires BIS certification for all notified furniture products produced, imported, and sold in India. Manufacturers need to acquire a valid BIS license and use the ISI mark to comply with Indian Standards.
Notification Detail
DPIIT released the Order through the Gazette Notification S.O. 801(E) dated 21st February 2025.
Enforcement Timeline
For Large and Medium Enterprises: It will be implemented from 21st February 2026.
For Micro and Small Enterprises: It will be enforced from 21st May 2026.
Amendment to the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2026
The Amendment Order to the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2026 provides certain exemptions, such as relaxation for certain MSMEs, specific imports for R&D purposes, and furniture made for export only.
Applicable Indian Standards for ISI Mark Certification of Furniture Products
The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 specifies that certain types of furniture must have BIS certification as per the Indian standards in the IS 17631-IS 17636 series. Each of these standards refers to safety, strength, durability, sturdiness, and performance of a specified type of furniture. Hence, manufacturers must ensure that their products meet the requirements of the respective standard, which must be obtained in conjunction with BIS licensing and the ISI Mark.
| Furniture Category | Applicable IS | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Work Chairs | IS 17631:2022 | Specifies safety, strength, durability, and performance requirements for office and work chairs. |
| General Purpose Chairs & Stools | IS 17632:2022 | Covers chairs and stools used in homes, educational institutions, restaurants, and other general applications. |
| Tables & Desks | IS 17633:2022 | Defines quality and performance requirements for office, study, and general-purpose tables and desks. |
| Storage Units | IS 17634:2022 | Covers cabinets, cupboards, drawers, shelves, and other storage furniture. |
| Beds | IS 17635:2022 | Specifies safety and structural requirements for domestic beds. |
| Bunk Beds | IS 17636:2022 | Covers bunk beds and high beds, with additional safety requirements to prevent falls and injuries. |
BIS Certification Process for Furniture Products
The process for receiving a BIS Certification under Scheme-1 has 5 basic steps:
Application Submission
The manufacturer will submit their application through the BIS Online Portal. You must also send a signed copy of your application for verification.
Document Preparation
The documents requested in the application must be prepared in accordance with applicable Indian Standards.
Inspection
BIS will perform an inspection of the manufacturer's facility to determine whether the production is acceptable, and the BIS officer will seal the product sample.
Testing Products
Sealed samples of the product shall be sent for testing to BIS Laboratories.
ISI Mark Granting
Once both testing and inspection are completed, the manufacturer will receive their certificate and a copy of their ISI mark from the BIS.
Indian and foreign manufacturers need to complete the following steps to receive their BIS certification:
- BIS Mark Certification Process - Indian Manufacturer
- BIS Mark Certification Process - Foreign Manufacturer
Documents Required for Furniture BIS Certification
To apply for BIS Certification for Furniture, manufacturers must submit the following documents during the application process:
- Business registration certificate (Company/Partnership/MSME registration)
- Manufacturing unit address proof
- Factory layout or manufacturing process flow chart
- Product technical specifications and drawings
- Details of raw materials used
- Product test reports from a BIS-recognized laboratory (if applicable)
- List of manufacturing and testing equipment
- In-house quality control and testing facilities details
- Authorised Signatory ID proof and authorisation letter
- Trademark or brand authorisation (if applicable)
- Packaging artwork and product labelling details
- Calibration certificates for testing equipment
- Quality Management System (QMS) documents (if available)
- Import Export Code (IEC) (for foreign manufacturers/exporters)
- Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) documents (for overseas applicants)
- Any additional documents requested by BIS during application review or factory inspection.
Timeline for BIS Certification of Furniture Products
The BIS certification timeline for domestic manufacturers in India for furniture is around 2-3 months. For foreign companies, the process will take a minimum of 6 months with the FMCS, as per BIS certification. As per the Furniture Quality Control Order (QCO), the deadline for implementing the mandatory requirements is February 13, 2026, for large and medium enterprises and importers, and August 13, 2026, for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Cost Factors in BIS Certification for Furniture
Below, you can go through the table for the BIS Certification cost of Furniture:
| SNo | Particular | Amount (INR) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Application Fee | 1000 | To be paid directly to BIS |
| 2. | Audit Fee | 7000 | To be paid directly to BIS |
| 3. | License Fee | 1000 | To be paid directly to BIS |
| 4. | Sample Testing Fee | As Applicable | To be paid directly to BIS (Testing charges vary from product to product and lab to lab.) |
| 5. | Minimum Advance Marking Fee | As per actual | To be paid directly to BIS (Marking fee varies as per Indian Standard) |
| 6. | Renewal Fee | 1000 | To be paid directly to BIS |
| 7. | Inclusion Fee | 5000 | To be paid directly to BIS |
| 8. | ERCS Pvt Ltd Service Fee | Please contact info@elitasrcs.com | Consultation and professional service fees |
Validity and Renewal of BIS License for Furniture
As per the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, the BIS licence for manufacturing furniture is initially issued for 1-2 years and is renewable for up to 5 years subject to compliance with BIS requirements and payment of requisite annual fees. To renew the BIS licence for furniture, manufacturers must submit Form XII through the BIS Portal and provide updated records of production and test results before the licence expires. A late fee of ₹5,000 is charged for renewal applications submitted after the licence expires.
BIS Certification of Furniture for Foreign Manufacturers (FMCS)
To legally export and market controlled furniture items in India, foreign producers must obtain a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) license under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). The main requirements include appointing the Authorised Indian Representative (AIR), passing the factory audit, and fulfilling other Indian Standards requirements.
Appointment of AIR
Submitting Application
Document Preparation
Factory Inspection
Product Testing
Obtaining the ISI Mark
Benefits of BIS Certification for Furniture Businesses
To understand the advantages of obtaining the BIS certificate, let us think about the following points:
- Ensures compliance with the Furniture (Quality Control) Order and BIS regulations.
- Enables the legal manufacture, import, and sale of furniture in India.
- Enhances consumer trust through the recognised ISI Mark.
- Improves product quality, safety, and reliability.
- Increases brand credibility and market reputation.
- Makes businesses eligible for government tenders and institutional procurement.
- Facilitates easier market access for both Indian and foreign manufacturers.
- Reduces the risk of penalties, product recalls, and regulatory action.
- Provides a competitive advantage in the Indian furniture market.
- Supports long-term business growth by demonstrating compliance with national quality standards.
Common Mistakes Furniture Manufacturers Make
Furniture makers frequently encounter setbacks or denials when obtaining BIS certification due to preventable errors. Frequently made mistakes consist of the following:
- Using the wrong Indian Standard: Applying to the wrong standard rather than the applicable IS 17631–IS 17636.
- Submitting incorrect documents: Incomplete or incorrect documentation can delay approval of the request.
- Overlooking testing of products: Not conducting tests in a laboratory accredited by the BIS.
- Taking for granted the export exemption: Claiming exemption for exported products without maintaining necessary documents.
- Not adhering to the deadlines for MSME compliance: Failing to follow the applicable enforcement dates prescribed by the Furniture QCO.
Why Choose ERCS Private Limited for Furniture BIS Certification?
Choosing ERCS Private Limited as a BIS consultant for furniture certification ensures end-to-end regulatory support, including standard identification, documentation preparation, and coordination of factory inspections. They streamline product testing in BIS-recognized labs and handle applications for both domestic and foreign manufacturers.
