Understanding Product Certification and Licensing in India

Every product you pick up from a store shelf – whether it’s a packet of spices, a bottle of packaged drinking water, or an eco-friendly detergent – has gone through some form of quality verification before reaching you. In India, product certification and licensing serve as the backbone of consumer trust. They ensure that what you buy meets defined safety, quality, and environmental standards. Multiple government bodies oversee these certification systems, each with a specific focus – from food safety and agricultural quality to environmental sustainability. Let’s break down how this entire system works.

What is product certification and why does it matter? 🔗

Product certification is a formal process through which an authorised body verifies that a product meets the requirements of a specific standard. In India, this process typically involves testing the product in a recognised laboratory, inspecting the manufacturing facility, and confirming that quality control systems are in place. Once a product clears these checks, it earns the right to carry a certification mark – a visible symbol on the packaging that tells consumers the product is safe, reliable, and compliant.

For manufacturers, certification opens doors to both domestic and international markets. For consumers, it provides a reliable way to distinguish quality products from substandard ones. And for the government, it serves as a regulatory tool to protect public health, prevent unfair trade practices, and maintain national safety standards.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): India’s national standards body 🔗

The Bureau of Indian Standards is the central organisation responsible for product certification in India. BIS was established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, replacing the earlier Indian Standards Institution (ISI) that had been functioning since 1947. It operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and is tasked with formulating Indian Standards and ensuring product conformity through licensing and certification.

The ISI mark 🔗

The most widely recognised certification issued by BIS is the ISI mark. This mark has been a trusted symbol of quality in India for over five decades. When a product carries the ISI mark, it confirms that the product has been manufactured in accordance with the relevant Indian Standard (IS) set by BIS. The ISI mark applies to a wide range of product categories including food items, electrical goods, cement, steel, packaged drinking water, and many more.

BIS operates its product certification primarily through Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Under this scheme, manufacturers apply for a licence, undergo factory inspections and product testing, and upon satisfactory compliance, receive authorisation to affix the ISI mark on their products.

Voluntary vs. mandatory certification 🔗

The BIS certification scheme is fundamentally voluntary. However, for several product categories, the Central Government has made compliance with Indian Standards compulsory. This is done through Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued under various Acts and Regulations. The reasons for mandatory certification include public interest, protection of human and animal health, environmental safety, prevention of unfair trade practices, and national security. For such products, manufacturers must obtain a BIS licence or Certificate of Conformity before they can legally manufacture, import, or sell in India.

How the BIS certification process works 🔗

Getting a BIS licence involves a clearly defined sequence of steps. The manufacturer submits an application (Form-V) through the BIS online portal along with supporting documents such as proof of factory address, registration certificate, details of the production process, list of testing equipment, and quality control procedures. BIS then reviews the application, arranges a factory visit, and evaluates whether the manufacturing unit has the necessary infrastructure for producing quality products. Product samples are tested in BIS-recognised laboratories. When BIS is satisfied with both the facility and the test results, it grants a licence in Form-VIII, which is initially valid for one to two years and can be renewed for up to five years.

Even after obtaining the licence, BIS conducts regular surveillance – including unannounced factory visits – to ensure manufacturers maintain compliance with quality standards over time. Non-compliance can lead to suspension or cancellation of the licence, and penalties under the BIS Act, 2016 can include fines up to ten times the value of non-compliant goods and imprisonment for up to two years in serious cases.

BIS certification for food products 🔗

Food products occupy a special place in BIS certification. The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations require certain food products to carry both the BIS certification mark and the FSSAI registration or licence number before they can be manufactured or sold. Products that fall under mandatory BIS certification for food include infant formula, milk cereal-based weaning food, follow-up formula, processed cereal-based weaning food, and packaged drinking water, among others.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) works alongside BIS as the enforcement authority for food-related quality control orders. For example, since April 2021, food business operators manufacturing mineral water or packaged drinking water must mandatorily obtain a BIS licence when applying for their FSSAI licence.

HACCP-based food safety certification 🔗

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. It is a globally recognised, process-control-based system that focuses on identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards throughout the food production process. Rather than relying on end-product testing alone, HACCP emphasises preventive measures at every stage of the food supply chain – from raw materials and processing to storage and distribution.

In India, BIS offers HACCP certification under the IS 15000 standard, which is aligned with the international Codex Alimentarius guidelines. The benefits of HACCP certification include reduced food safety risks, easier issuance of health certificates, lower export costs, and increased market access to countries where HACCP compliance is mandatory – such as those in the EU, GCC, and North America.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has actively promoted HACCP and ISO standards adoption across India’s food sector. The Quality Council of India has also launched two certification schemes – IndiaGHP and IndiaHACCP – based on Codex Standards, enabling food manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with global benchmarks without the cost and complexity of foreign certifications.

The HACCP certification process 🔗

Implementing HACCP follows a structured 12-step methodology. It begins with assembling a multidisciplinary HACCP team, describing the product and its intended use, constructing a process flow diagram, and verifying it on the production floor. The core steps include conducting a thorough hazard analysis, identifying Critical Control Points (CCPs), setting critical limits for each CCP, and establishing monitoring, corrective action, and verification procedures. Documentation and record-keeping are essential throughout.

Once the system is fully implemented, recognised certification bodies – including BIS, SGS, TÜV, and others – conduct third-party audits that include facility inspections and documentation review. Successful audits result in HACCP certification that is typically valid for two to three years, with annual surveillance assessments.

AGMARK: quality assurance for agricultural products 🔗

AGMARK (short for Agriculture Mark) is a certification mark used on agricultural products in India. It assures consumers that the product conforms to quality standards approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI), which functions under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. AGMARK has its legal basis in the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act of 1937, amended in 1986 – making it one of India’s oldest quality assurance frameworks.

Currently, AGMARK standards cover quality guidelines for over 220 different agricultural commodities spanning categories like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetable oils, fruits, vegetables, spices, essential oils, honey, ghee, and semi-processed products such as vermicelli.

How AGMARK grading works 🔗

AGMARK standards are not set arbitrarily. They are developed through systematic analysis of product samples collected from producing areas, wholesale markets, and various regions across India. For each commodity, typically two to three grades are prescribed based on parameters such as moisture content, foreign matter, damaged grains, volatile oil content, pungency, colour, and cleanliness. For instance, cereals and pulses are graded based on moisture and the presence of weevils, while spices are assessed for their volatile oil content and colour.

The certification is carried out through a network of AGMARK laboratories. The Central AGMARK Laboratory (CAL) in Nagpur serves as the apex testing facility, supported by Regional AGMARK Laboratories in 11 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Kochi. Over a thousand approved commercial laboratories across the country also handle grading and marking activities.

Benefits for farmers and consumers 🔗

For farmers, especially smallholders who make up over 85% of India’s farming population, AGMARK certification typically leads to better price realisation. The certification provides tangible proof of quality that strengthens their position during price negotiations and helps integrate them into formal supply chains. For consumers, it serves as a third-party guarantee of quality, reducing instances of adulteration. AGMARK standards also increasingly align with international norms set by bodies like the Codex Alimentarius Commission, making Indian agricultural exports more competitive globally.

AGMARK certification is primarily voluntary, though it can be made compulsory for specific products under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations.

Ecomark: certifying environmentally friendly products 🔗

The Ecomark scheme was launched by the Government of India in 1991 to help consumers identify products that have minimal environmental impact. The scheme is administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards and overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Products that carry the Ecomark logo alongside the ISI mark indicate that they meet specific environmental criteria in addition to the quality requirements of the relevant Indian Standard.

The Ecomark scheme covers a wide range of product categories including soaps and detergents, paints, food items, lubricating oils, packaging materials, batteries, electrical and electronic goods, food additives, cosmetics, textiles, plastic products, and leather goods.

Updated Ecomark rules in 2024 🔗

In a significant development, India announced new Ecomark Certification Rules on 2 October 2024, replacing the original 1991 scheme. These updated rules align with the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) mission and establish a clearer framework for product certification, market surveillance, and consumer trust. The new rules expanded the product categories to include cosmetics, edible oils, tea, coffee, and electronic goods.

Under the updated framework, products eligible for Ecomark certification must meet specific criteria related to resource consumption, waste generation, emissions, and overall environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) now assesses products for compliance with Ecomark criteria, either directly or through designated verifiers. The certification validity ranges from one to five years, subject to renewal.

Why the Ecomark matters 🔗

The Ecomark enables consumers to make informed, environmentally conscious purchasing decisions. For manufacturers, it provides a competitive edge in a market where sustainability is increasingly valued. The scheme also encourages manufacturers to adopt energy-efficient production processes, reduce toxic emissions, and use recyclable or biodegradable materials. With growing global attention on green products, having an Ecomark certification can also help Indian businesses access international markets that prioritise eco-labelling.

How these certifications work together 🔗

India’s product certification landscape is not a single monolithic system. Instead, it functions as a network of complementary certifications, each addressing a different aspect of product quality and safety. A food product, for example, might carry the ISI mark (confirming it meets the Indian Standard for that product), an FSSAI licence number (confirming the manufacturer is registered as a food business operator), and an AGMARK grade (confirming the agricultural input meets quality benchmarks). If the product is manufactured using environmentally sustainable processes, it could also carry the Ecomark. And if the manufacturing facility follows preventive food safety protocols, it may hold a HACCP certification as well.

Together, these systems create multiple layers of assurance – for quality, safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental responsibility. They protect consumers from substandard or unsafe products, help honest manufacturers compete fairly, and position Indian products favourably in global trade.

Key takeaways 🔗

BIS and the ISI mark remain the foundational certification system for industrial and consumer products in India, covering everything from food to electronics. HACCP adds a critical layer of food safety by focusing on hazard prevention throughout the production process. AGMARK ensures that agricultural commodities meet defined quality grades, protecting both farmers and consumers. And the Ecomark addresses the growing need for environmentally responsible products, with updated 2024 rules that strengthen the scheme significantly.

Understanding these certification systems is essential not just for food science students and industry professionals, but for every consumer who wants to make informed choices about the products they buy.

What do you think? How much attention do you pay to certification marks like ISI, AGMARK, or Ecomark when purchasing food and household products? Do you believe India’s current certification framework does enough to protect consumers, or are there gaps that need to be addressed?

References

1. https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/product-certification-overview/?lang=en
2. https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/products-under-compulsory-certification/?lang=en
3. https://www.myfoodexpert.in/bis-certification/
4. https://cleartax.in/s/fssai-bis-certificate
5. https://www.sgs.com/en-in/services/haccp
6. https://www.bis.gov.in/system-certification-overview/certification-process/systems-under-certification/benefits-of-haccp-as-per-is15000/
7. https://www.mofpi.gov.in/en/Schemes/about-haccp-iso-standardsfood-safetyquality-management-systems
8. https://www.dmi.gov.in/GradesStandard.aspx
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agmark
10. https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/eco-mark-scheme/
11. https://www.un-page.org/news/major-win-for-indias-sustainability-efforts-with-new-eco-mark-certification-rules/
12. https://www.legalitysimplified.com/india-introduces-ecomark-certification-scheme-to-promote-environment-friendly-products/