Foreign Manufacturer Certification (FMCS) Services

Unlock India’s Fast-Growing Market with BIS FMCS Compliance

India is emerging as one of the world’s most attractive manufacturing and import destinations. With rapid infrastructure growth, government incentives, and rising consumer demand, global companies are increasingly expanding their operations and exporting to India.
To access this market, foreign manufacturers must meet Indian regulatory requirements — and BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) is central to this compliance.

Global Consulting Services (GCS) assists overseas manufacturers in acquiring BIS FMCS Certification seamlessly, enabling lawful imports, brand credibility, and market entry without disruption.

What is FMCS Certification?

The Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS), regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), allows manufacturers outside India to obtain authorization to use the ISI Mark on products sold in India. Operational since 2000, FMCS ensures imported products meet Indian Standard Specifications for safety, performance, and reliability. The certification is issued exclusively by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) after successful factory audits and product testing.

Why FMCS Certification is Essential

  • Mandatory for regulated product imports
  • Legal authorization to affix the ISI Mark
  • Enhances product credibility and consumer trust
  • Prevents shipment delays, seizures, and penalties
  • Enables smooth business expansion in India

FMCS certification is not optional—it is a prerequisite for foreign manufacturers seeking uninterrupted product distribution in India.

What Does the ISI Mark Represent?

The ISI Mark reflects:

Adherence to Indian Standards (IS)

Verified manufacturing practices

Product reliability and safety

The ISI marking carries a unique license number (CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX), which assures regulators and customers of product conformity.

Who Can Apply for FMCS?

The scheme applies exclusively to:

Importers, traders, or distributors cannot apply — only manufacturers are eligible.

FMCS Certification Requirements

Foreign manufacturers must fulfill the following:

Factory must be located outside India

Products must comply with relevant Indian Standards

In-house testing facilities must be available

Qualified technical staff for quality inspections

Acceptance of Scheme of Inspection & Testing (SIT)

Payment of marking and certification fees

Appointment of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

A separate application is required for each product and factory location.

Documents Required

Documents Required for FMCS Certification

Applicants must submit:

All documentation is processed through the online BIS portal and physically submitted to FMCD.

Certification Process

FMCS Certification Process—Step-by-Step

Applicants must also submit a Performance Bank Guarantee of USD 10,000 from an RBI-approved bank.

STEP-BY-STEP

Obtaining BIS FMCS Certification involves five systematic stages:

Application Submission

- Gather required documents
- Submit application online and physically to FMCD
- Receive application acknowledgement

Clarification & Queries

- BIS reviews documents
- Applicants respond to missing or incomplete areas
- Approval moves forward after validation

Grant of License

- On satisfactory audit + test results
- Applicant pays marking fee, license fee and dues
- BIS issues FMCS certification (valid for 1 year, renewable annually)

Product Testing

- Samples tested in BIS-approved labs
- Test fees borne by the manufacturer
- Reports reviewed for compliance

Factory Audit

- BIS officer visits the foreign manufacturing premises
- Factory processes, testing setup and quality controls are evaluated
- Samples are sealed and collected for testing

Certification Timeline

Average processing period: 4–6 months after document submission
Separate applications must be filed for each product and each manufacturing location.

Quality Standards
Quality Standards

Post-Certification Requirements

Manufacturers must pay:

BIS conducts periodic market sampling and performance evaluation.

Any product defects require:

  • Investigation
  • Replacement/repair
  • Liability acceptance by the manufacturer

BIS does not bear responsibility for losses or failures.

  • License valid for 1 year
  • Renewable annually with fees and compliance verification

Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) Requirements

Foreign manufacturers must either:

Open a branch office in India

OR

Quality recognition and competitive advantage

The AIR is responsible for:

  • Handling BIS communications
  • Filing compliance documents
  • Accepting regulatory accountability

An AIR can represent only one foreign manufacturer at a time.

Why FMCS Certification is Complex

Foreign manufacturers must tackle:

  • Several compliance systems
  • Mandatory site audits outside India
  • AIR appointment rules
  • Product-specific technical requirements

Due to these complexities, consultation support is strongly recommended to avoid rejection or delays.

Why Choose

Why Choose Global Consulting Services (GCS) for FMCS?

GCS supports international brands in achieving certification efficiently and compliantly.

Whether you are expanding exports to India or launching manufacturing here, we ensure seamless certification and compliance.

Ready to Get FMCS Certification?

Unlock nationwide market access and build consumer trust. Partner with GCS — we manage ISI certification end-to-end for smooth approvals and faster compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – BIS Registration / BIS Certification

Foreign manufacturers exporting regulated products to India.

No — only manufacturers located outside India are eligible.

Yes, every foreign applicant must have an Authorized Indian Representative.

1 year initially, renewable for 1–2 years based on compliance.

No — each product/factory must be registered under separate applications

Payment modes depend on country — for most nations, fees are payable in USD.