The ongoing BIS compliance cycle — licence and registration renewal timing, factory surveillance visits, market sample testing, in-house test records, and the changes that require you to go back to BIS before making them.
BIS compliance is driven by your own licence dates rather than by a common calendar, which is why it is easy to let slip. The dates that matter are on your certificate; this guide sets out what recurs and when to act.
Your renewal date is on your certificate, not in a national calendar. Unlike tax deadlines, BIS licence and registration validity runs from the date of grant. Take the expiry date from the certificate the day it is issued and diarise a reminder well ahead of it.
The Recurring Cycle
| Activity | When | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal application | Well before the expiry date on the certificate — start at least two to three months ahead | ISI licences and CRS registrations |
| Factory surveillance visit | Periodically, at the frequency the scheme and product require | ISI licence holders and FMCS |
| Market surveillance sampling | Unannounced, at BIS's discretion | All certified products |
| In-house testing | At the frequency specified in the relevant Indian Standard — commonly per batch or per production lot | ISI licence holders |
| Marking fee payment | As per the licence terms, based on production marked | ISI licence holders |
| Calibration of test equipment | Per the equipment's calibration cycle | ISI licence holders |
| Hallmarking centre reporting | As required by the hallmarking regulations | Registered jewellers and assaying centres |
Do not let a licence lapse even briefly. Product marked during a gap in validity is unmarked product for legal purposes, and it is already in the supply chain by the time anyone notices. Renewal applications can and should be made in advance of expiry.
Changes That Require Going Back to BIS First
Certification covers what was applied for. Each of the following requires an application before the change takes effect:
- Adding a new model or variant to a CRS registration.
- Adding a new product to an ISI licence.
- Changing the manufacturing location, or adding a second factory.
- A significant change to the manufacturing process or to key machinery.
- Change in the constitution of the business, or in its name.
- Change of the Authorised Indian Representative, for foreign manufacturers.
- Change in the source of a critical raw material or component, where the standard makes it relevant.
Records to Maintain Continuously
- In-house test results for every batch or lot, per the scheme of inspection and testing.
- Calibration certificates for all test equipment, current.
- Raw material incoming inspection records.
- Production and marking records, reconciling marked output to the marking fee paid.
- Records of non-conforming product and its disposal.
- Complaint records and corrective action taken.
- Copies of all correspondence with BIS.
Preparing for a Surveillance Visit
- Test records complete and up to date for the period since the last visit.
- All test equipment within its calibration validity.
- Trained technical personnel available on the day.
- Marked stock consistent with production and marking records.
- The scheme of inspection and testing actually being followed, not merely documented.
- Any corrective actions from the previous visit closed out, with evidence.
The most common surveillance finding is expired calibration. Test equipment falls out of calibration quietly, and a lapsed certificate invalidates every in-house test result taken since. Track calibration dates the same way you track the licence expiry, and renew ahead of time.
Watch for Notification Changes
Quality Control Orders are amended frequently — products are added, and implementation dates are set, deferred or advanced. A product outside any scheme today may be notified with a compliance date a few months out.
- Monitor BIS and the relevant ministry's notifications for your product categories.
- When a new product is notified, work backwards from the implementation date: testing takes weeks and an ISI licence takes months.
- Importers should confirm notification status before placing an order, since customs will not clear uncertified notified goods.
Related Guides
- BIS Certification Guide for Manufacturers and Importers
- BIS Certification Document Checklist
- Business Compliance Calendar 2026–27
Key Facts About BIS Certification Compliance Calendar
- Applies in: All states across India, under the relevant central law.
- Mode: Mostly online via the official government portal.
- Typical timeline: Ranges from a few days to a few weeks depending on the case.
- Non-compliance: May attract penalties, interest or late fees.
- Expert help: TaxClue completes the entire process end to end for you.
When should a BIS licence be renewed?
Well before the expiry date shown on the certificate — start two to three months ahead. Validity runs from the date of grant rather than on a common calendar, so the date is specific to your licence and should be diarised when the certificate is issued.
What happens if a BIS licence lapses?
Product marked during the gap is unmarked product for legal purposes, and it will already be in the supply chain before the lapse is noticed. Renewal applications can be made in advance of expiry, and should be.
Over 90% of compliance penalties in India arise from missed due dates — timely handling can save businesses thousands of rupees each year.
BIS Certification Compliance Calendar: a key compliance topic in Indian tax and corporate law that businesses and individuals must understand to remain compliant.