BIS & QCO Glossary: Full Forms and Meanings

An Indian resident nominated by a foreign manufacturer to represent it before BIS. Every foreign factory applying for an ISI licence under FMCS, or a registration under CRS, must appoint one. The AIR is named on the licence, handles BIS correspondence and helps BIS draw market samples from imported goods.

The body under the Ministry of Power that runs India's energy star-labelling programme for appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators. A BEE star label is about energy efficiency; it is separate from, and does not replace, BIS safety certification.

India's national standards body, set up under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. BIS writes Indian Standards (IS) and runs product certification: the ISI mark licence, CRS registration for electronics, and hallmarking of gold and silver.

Also searched as: BIS full form, BIS meaning, BSI

The law behind BIS certification. Section 16 lets the government make BIS certification compulsory for a product (this is how QCOs are issued); Section 17 bars making, importing, selling, storing or displaying such a product without a valid Standard Mark; Section 29 sets the penalties, including imprisonment of up to two years and fines of at least ₹2 lakh, up to ten times the value of the goods.

BIS's official mobile app for consumers and businesses. You can verify an ISI licence (CM/L) or CRS registration (R-number), check that it covers the product and brand you have, and file complaints about fake marks or poor-quality goods.

The BIS licence number printed below the ISI mark, in the format CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX. The Indian Standard number appears above the mark. Entering the CM/L number in the BIS Care app shows whether the licence is valid and what it covers.

Also searched as: CML number, ISI licence number

BIS certification that is mandatory by law for a product, because the product is notified under a Quality Control Order or the Compulsory Registration Order. Such products cannot be manufactured, imported or sold in India without the Standard Mark. Products not notified are certified voluntarily, if at all.

Also searched as: Mandatory BIS certification

The BIS rules that set out its certification schemes, including Scheme-I (the ISI mark licence) and Scheme-II (CRS registration). Amendments in February 2026 allowed licences to be granted and renewed for up to five years, with fees still paid annually.

BIS's registration route for electronics and IT products notified by MeitY under the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021. Each model is tested at a BIS-recognised laboratory and registered; the product then carries the BIS Standard Mark with an R-number. There is no factory inspection before grant, unlike the ISI licence.

Also searched as: CRS full form, CRS registration, BIS registration

A department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that issues many Quality Control Orders, including those for furniture, hand tools, aluminium products, water bottles and electrical appliances.

The route by which a factory outside India gets its own BIS (ISI mark) licence. The foreign manufacturer appoints an Authorised Indian Representative, BIS inspects the overseas factory, samples are tested in India, and a Performance Bank Guarantee of USD 10,000 is furnished at grant. BIS says the average time to grant is about six months from a complete application.

Also searched as: FMCS certification, FMCS full form, FMCS BIS

Government orders such as QCOs are published in the Gazette of India with an S.O. (Statutory Order) number and date, for example S.O. 5596(E) of 4 December 2025 for the Hand Tools QCO. The S.O. number is the most reliable way to identify the exact order and its amendments.

Also searched as: S.O. number

A six-character alphanumeric code marked on hallmarked gold jewellery under BIS hallmarking. It can be checked in the BIS Care app. Hallmarking is separate from the ISI and CRS product certification schemes.

A standard published by BIS, written as "IS" followed by a number and year, such as IS 4151:2015 for two-wheeler helmets. "(Part 1)" means one part of a multi-part standard. Under a QCO, the latest version of the named standard, including amendments, applies.

Also searched as: IS number, IS code

The Indian Standard for glass screen protectors (tempered glass). MeitY added screen protectors for smartphones to the Compulsory Registration Order by notification S.O. 5190(E) dated 21 September 2026, so from 1 April 2027 they must meet IS 19348:2025 and carry BIS registration under CRS.

Also searched as: Tempered glass new rule, Screen guard BIS rule

BIS's product certification mark under Scheme-I. The name comes from the Indian Standards Institution, the body that became the Bureau of Indian Standards. A product may carry the ISI mark only under a valid BIS licence, with the IS number above the mark and the CM/L licence number below it.

Also searched as: ISI full form, ISI meaning, ISI certification

The international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories (current edition ISO/IEC 17025:2017). In India, NABL accredits laboratories against it.

Registration and labelling rules under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules for packers and importers of pre-packaged goods, covering declarations such as net quantity, MRP and manufacturer details. It is a separate requirement from BIS certification.

BIS's online portal for product certification: applying for licences, paying fees, answering BIS queries, uploading documents and managing licences after grant.

The fee an ISI licensee pays BIS for using the Standard Mark: a per-unit rate on marked production, subject to an annual minimum that depends on the product standard and the size of the enterprise. Under BIS's August 2025 guidelines, 50% of the annual minimum is paid with the application and the balance at grant. Micro and small enterprises, start-ups and women entrepreneurs get concessions until 31 May 2029.

The ministry that issues the Compulsory Registration Order for electronics and IT goods, which BIS implements through CRS.

India's accreditation body for testing and calibration laboratories. It accredits labs against ISO/IEC 17025 for a defined scope of tests.

Also searched as: NABL full form, NABL accreditation

A product for which no Quality Control Order (or compulsory registration order) is in force. BIS certification for it is voluntary: you may still apply for an ISI licence if an Indian Standard exists, but it is not legally required to make, import or sell the product. A product can become a QCO product later, when the government notifies an order for it.

Also searched as: Non QCO full form, Non-QCO meaning, Non-QCO items

A manufacturer's own plan for the checks and tests it carries out to keep production in line with the Indian Standard. Under a BIS circular of 16 December 2025, BIS's scheme of testing is recommendatory and manufacturers may declare their own QAP.

A legal order issued by a central ministry or department, under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016, that makes BIS certification compulsory for a specific product. Once a QCO is in force, the product must meet the named Indian Standard and carry the BIS Standard Mark before it can be manufactured, imported, sold or distributed in India.

Each QCO is published in the Gazette with an S.O. number, lists the products and their Indian Standards, and sets the dates from which it applies — often with later dates for small and micro enterprises.

Also searched as: QCO full form, QCO meaning, QCO full meaning, Quality Control Order meaning

The registration number BIS grants under CRS, in the format R-XXXXXXXX, printed with the BIS Standard Mark on registered electronics. It is specific to the manufacturer, brand and model, and can be checked in the BIS Care app.

BIS's product certification scheme for the ISI mark licence under the Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018. It involves a factory inspection, sample testing and ongoing surveillance. Most QCOs require certification under Scheme-I.

BIS's Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) under the Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018, used for electronics and IT goods notified by MeitY. It is based on testing each model at a BIS-recognised lab and registering it.

The faster route to an ISI licence (Option 2), where the applicant submits a test report from a BIS-recognised lab with the application and BIS then inspects the factory. BIS's guidelines target grant in about 30 days, against about 90 days under the normal procedure (Option 1). Test reports must be no more than 90 days old when the application is filed.

The BIS mark a certified product carries: the ISI mark for products licensed under Scheme-I, or the CRS Standard Mark with an R-number for registered electronics. Using it without a valid licence or registration is an offence under the BIS Act.

BIS's checks after a licence is granted: factory visits (including surprise inspections), and buying products from the market for independent testing. Failing surveillance can lead to suspension or cancellation of the licence.

The government registration that classifies a business as a micro, small or medium enterprise (MSME). Many QCOs give micro and small enterprises later compliance dates, and BIS gives them marking-fee concessions — a valid Udyam certificate is needed to claim both.

Also searched as: MSME

The wing of the Department of Telecommunications that grants Equipment Type Approval (ETA) for wireless products such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices. WPC approval is separate from BIS/CRS: a wireless gadget may need both.