BIS CRS registration is the Bureau of Indian Standards registration that manufacturers of notified products, including many electronic and IT goods, must obtain before they make, import, sell or stock those products in India. It works on a self-declaration basis backed by a test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory, and the registration number appears next to the Standard Mark on the product. This page explains who needs it, the Scheme-II process, the official fee position as far as it can be verified and the mistakes that cause delays.
What is BIS CRS registration?
The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) is Scheme-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Unlike the ISI mark, where BIS inspects the factory and operates a licence, CRS is a registration: the manufacturer declares that the product conforms to the relevant Indian Standard, supports the declaration with a test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory and receives a registration number. BIS does not ordinarily inspect the factory before grant, but it can draw samples from the market and from imports later.
CRS only applies to products notified under a Compulsory Registration Order (CRO), which is issued by the ministry that sponsors the product category. The most widely known is the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement of Compulsory Registration) Order issued by MeitY, which covers products such as many IT, audio-video, power-supply and lighting items. Other ministries, including those for new and renewable energy, chemicals and textiles, have also brought products under CRS or other mandatory quality orders. The list changes through new orders and amendments, so always check the current notification before assuming a product is in or out.
A foreign manufacturer cannot register unless it has a legal presence in India. If it does not have an Indian branch, it must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) who takes responsibility for compliance. Importers, distributors and e-commerce sellers should therefore ask their overseas supplier for a valid BIS registration number before ordering notified products.
Once registered, the manufacturer places the Standard Mark with the R-number on the product or its label as the order prescribes. The mark is how customs, market inspectors and marketplaces recognise that the product is registered. Registration is specific to the product, the Indian Standard, the brand and the factory named in it.
Who needs BIS CRS registration?
You need CRS registration if the product you make, import or sell is notified under a compulsory order and falls within its scope. Typical stakeholders include:
- Indian manufacturers of notified electronics, IT and related goods
- Foreign manufacturers exporting notified products to India, through an Authorised Indian Representative
- Importers and traders who bring notified goods into India and must show registration to customs
- Brand owners who outsource manufacturing and need registration in the name of the brand and factory as the scheme requires
- Online sellers and marketplaces that need to verify the registration of listed products
- Distributors and retailers who risk seizure and prosecution when they stock unregistered notified goods
Benefits of BIS CRS Registration
Legal right to sell and import
For notified products, registration is the condition for lawful manufacture, import, distribution and sale. Without it, consignments can be held at customs and goods in the market can be seized.
Customs clearance
Importers present the registration details for clearance. A valid registration avoids rejection of the bill of entry and demurrage.
Marketplace and retailer acceptance
Large online platforms and offline chains ask for the BIS registration number as part of listing and vendor onboarding.
Consumer trust
The mark shows the product has been tested against the Indian Standard, which supports safety and quality claims.
Lighter regime than ISI mark
Scheme-II registration is lighter than a Scheme-I licence because it relies on self-declaration and a lab report rather than a pre-grant factory inspection.
Eligibility & applicability
Check these conditions before you start. Most delays happen because the product is tested to the wrong standard or the applicant details do not match the lab report.
- The product is covered by a Compulsory Registration Order or equivalent quality control order and by an Indian Standard listed in it
- The applicant is the manufacturer, or a foreign manufacturer acting through an Authorised Indian Representative with a valid nomination
- Testing has been done at a BIS-recognised laboratory for the applicable standard, and the test report is submitted within 90 days of issue
- The brand, model series and factory address on the application match the test report and labels
- Authorised Indian Representatives must have a verifiable Indian address and the ability to respond to BIS queries
- The manufacturer has the facilities to test and keep records so that the declared conformity can be sustained in production
Documents required
Applicant and manufacturer documents
- Incorporation or registration proof, PAN and authorised signatory proof
- Factory address proof and, for foreign manufacturers, details of the overseas factory
- Authorised Indian Representative nomination and identity documents (for foreign manufacturers)
- Brand ownership proof or trademark details, where applicable
Product and test documents
- Test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory, issued within 90 days of submission
- Product list with model numbers, ratings and variants
- Block diagram, circuit diagram or critical component list where the standard needs it
- Label artwork showing the Standard Mark position and required markings
Forms and declarations
- Application in Form I
- Undertaking in Form II and affidavit in Form III
- Form IV for nomination of the Authorised Indian Representative
- Fee payment proof
- Form VI for renewal and Form VIII-A for inclusion of additional models or varieties, when applicable
Step-by-step BIS CRS registration process
The steps follow the Scheme-II sequence. Portal screens and document checklists change from time to time, so we cross-check them on the BIS portal at the time of filing.
Confirm the product is notified
Match your product description and Indian Standard against the Compulsory Registration Order or quality control order. Look at the scope clause and any exemptions, such as products for export only or for R&D, where the order allows them.
Identify the Indian Standard and test requirements
Each order lists the Indian Standard and sometimes the part and edition. Testing to a superseded edition is one of the most common causes of rejection.
Select a BIS-recognised laboratory
Send samples to a laboratory recognised by BIS for that standard. Check its recognition scope first, because recognition is product- and standard-specific.
Complete the application online
Create the applicant account, fill Form I with the manufacturer, factory, brand, product and standard details, and upload the declarations and the lab report. Foreign manufacturers upload the AIR nomination.
Pay the fees
Pay the prescribed application and processing fees on the portal. Confirm the exact amounts on the BIS portal before payment, since the fee structure was updated in 2026.
BIS scrutiny and queries
BIS officers examine the application and the test report. Respond to each query within the stated time; unanswered queries lead to rejection and loss of fees.
Grant of registration
On acceptance, BIS issues the registration with the R-number. The grant details the product, standard, brand and factory, and the validity period.
Mark the product
Apply the Standard Mark and registration number on each unit or pack as the order requires, and keep production records and sample retention to defend a market-surveillance check.
Renew or extend
File the renewal in good time and apply for inclusion of new models or varieties instead of selling them under the existing number.
Government fees for BIS CRS registration
BIS levies an application fee, an annual licence fee and a processing fee that includes one test report. The figures widely quoted by regulatory consultants are an application fee of ₹1,000, an annual fee of ₹1,000 and a processing fee of ₹50,000, but we could not confirm these on the official BIS portal and the structure changed under the 2026 amendment. Treat them as indicative only.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Indicatively ₹1,000 | Reported by consultancy sources; confirm on the BIS portal before payment |
| Annual licence fee | Indicatively ₹1,000 | Under the 2026 amendment fees are reported to be payable annually in advance |
| Processing fee (includes one test report) | Indicatively ₹50,000 | Laboratory testing charges for further reports are separate and set by the laboratory |
Professional charges are quoted separately after reviewing your case. Government fees are paid directly to the authority. Laboratory testing charges are paid to the BIS-recognised laboratory and vary by product and standard.
How long does BIS CRS registration take?
BIS does not publish a fixed grant period for CRS, and the total time is driven by the lab testing slot and by how fast you answer queries. Products that need extensive testing, such as those with many safety clauses, need more lab time. Complete, consistent documents are the surest way to avoid iterations with BIS.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Product scoping and sample preparation | A few days to 2 weeks |
| Testing at BIS-recognised laboratory | Varies by product, laboratory load and standard |
| Online application and fee payment | 2–5 working days once the report is ready |
| BIS scrutiny and grant | Depends on queries; no fixed statutory period |
Validity & renewal
Registrations were traditionally granted for two years and renewable on application before expiry. A 2026 amendment to the conformity assessment framework is reported to allow Scheme-II registration for up to five years and renewal for up to five years, with fees payable annually in advance and production details to be submitted; non-payment can lead to suspension. BIS decides the actual period on each grant, so rely on the dates in your registration and ask us to verify the latest rules on the portal. File renewal before the expiry date, and use the inclusion procedure for any new model or variety.
Compliance after registration
- Mark every unit or pack with the Standard Mark and registration number as per the Order
- Keep test records and retain samples so that market surveillance checks can be met
- Pay annual fees on time to avoid suspension under the 2026 fee system
- Apply for inclusion of new models or varieties before marketing them
- File renewal before expiry and inform BIS of changes in factory, brand or Authorised Indian Representative
- Re-test when the Indian Standard is revised or when the Order requires a new edition
- Keep importer and distributor documents so that customs and BIS enforcement can verify the registration
BIS CRS (Scheme-II) vs ISI mark (Scheme-I)
| Point | CRS registration (Scheme-II) | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Self-declaration backed by recognised lab test report | BIS licence after assessment of factory and quality systems |
| Factory inspection before grant | Not ordinarily required | Part of the licensing process |
| Typical products | Notified electronics, IT and similar goods | Notified industrial and consumer products under QCOs |
| Mark | Standard Mark with R-number | ISI mark with CM/L licence number |
| Foreign manufacturers | Allowed through an Authorised Indian Representative | Allowed under the foreign manufacturers certification scheme |
Common mistakes & rejection reasons
Testing at a non-recognised laboratory
A report from a laboratory without BIS recognition for that standard is not accepted. Check recognition scope before sending samples.
Stale test reports
A test report must be submitted within 90 days of issue. Delayed filing forces fresh testing.
Wrong or superseded standard
Many Orders specify a particular edition. Testing against an outdated edition is rejected.
Mismatch between brand, factory and report
Different spellings of the manufacturer name or factory address on the report, label and application cause queries and delays.
No Authorised Indian Representative
A foreign manufacturer without an AIR cannot register. A casual nomination with no real Indian presence is also questioned.
Selling new models under an old registration
A new model or variant must be added by inclusion; using the old number is a violation.
Penalties for non-compliance
Under section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, contravening the compulsory certification requirement of section 17 is punishable. The punishment is imprisonment up to two years or a fine of not less than ₹2 lakh for a first offence and not less than ₹5 lakh for subsequent offences, extendable up to ten times the value of the goods, or both. The offence is cognizable. Customs can also detain unregistered imports, and BIS can seize goods and suspend or cancel a registration.
| Default | Consequence | Provision |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing, importing, selling or stocking a notified product without the required BIS certification or mark | Imprisonment up to 2 years or fine not less than ₹2 lakh (first offence), not less than ₹5 lakh (subsequent), up to 10 times the value of goods | Section 29(3), BIS Act, 2016, read with section 17 |
| Offence is cognizable | Police can register a case without prior warrant | Section 29(4), BIS Act, 2016 |
Practitioner tips
- Before ordering any batch of an electronic product from abroad, ask for the BIS registration number and verify it on the BIS portal. Customs will not accept a promise that registration is pending.
- Select the laboratory only after checking its recognition for your exact standard and part number. Laboratories with long queues can add weeks, so book the testing slot early.
- Prepare one master sheet of the manufacturer name, factory address and brand spelling, and copy it into every document. Small variations cause most BIS queries.
- Make the model series clear in the test report. If you plan to market variants, ask the laboratory to cover the worst-case model and list the series so the grant covers them.
- Do not rely on old fee tables from blogs. The fee structure was revised in 2026, so confirm the live amounts on the portal and budget laboratory charges separately.
How Lawgical Guru helps
Applicability check
We review your product against the current Compulsory Registration Orders and quality control orders and tell you whether registration is required.
Laboratory and standard guidance
We help you identify the applicable Indian Standard and the recognised laboratories to approach for testing.
Application filing
We prepare Forms I to IV, assemble the declarations and file the application on the BIS portal with consistent manufacturer and factory details.
Query handling
We prepare responses to BIS queries so that they are answered within the time allowed.
AIR coordination for foreign manufacturers
We guide overseas manufacturers on the Authorised Indian Representative nomination and documentation.
Renewals and inclusions
We track validity and annual fee dates and file renewal and model inclusion applications.
BIS CRS Registration: frequently asked questions
What is BIS CRS registration?
It is registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, which is Scheme-II of the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018. Manufacturers of products notified by a compulsory order declare conformity with the Indian Standard, supported by a BIS-recognised lab test report, and receive a registration number to display with the Standard Mark.
Which products need BIS CRS registration?
Only products notified under a Compulsory Registration Order, mainly the MeitY electronics and IT goods order, plus products covered by orders from other ministries. The list changes, so check the current notification for your exact product and standard rather than relying on an old list.
Is BIS registration mandatory for importers?
Yes, for notified products. Importers must ensure the goods carry a valid BIS registration and mark, and customs can detain consignments without it. For a foreign manufacturer without an Indian branch, an Authorised Indian Representative must be appointed to apply.
What is the difference between BIS CRS and ISI mark?
CRS is a registration based on self-declaration and a lab report, with no pre-grant factory inspection in the ordinary course. The ISI mark operates under Scheme-I, where BIS licenses the manufacturer after assessing infrastructure, process control and testing capability, and later inspects the factory.
What is the fee for BIS CRS registration?
Consultancy sources report an application fee of ₹1,000, an annual licence fee of ₹1,000 and a processing fee of ₹50,000 including one test report, but these are not confirmed on the official portal and the structure was revised in 2026. Laboratory charges are separate. Confirm the live amounts on the BIS portal.
How long is BIS CRS registration valid?
Registrations were traditionally valid for two years. A 2026 amendment is reported to allow up to five years with renewal for up to five years, and annual fees payable in advance. The validity on your grant letter is what applies, so check it and diarise the renewal.
Can a foreign company get BIS CRS registration?
Yes. A foreign manufacturer without an Indian branch appoints an Authorised Indian Representative through Form IV. The representative handles BIS communication and takes responsibility for compliance in India, and the registration names the overseas factory.
Does a test report expire for BIS registration?
Yes, in practice. The test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory must be submitted within 90 days of its issue date. If you file later, BIS can ask for a fresh test, so coordinate the laboratory timing with your application filing.
What is the penalty for selling a product without BIS registration?
Under section 29(3) of the BIS Act, 2016, the punishment can be imprisonment up to two years or a fine of not less than ₹2 lakh for a first offence and not less than ₹5 lakh later, up to ten times the value of the goods. Goods can also be seized or detained at customs.
Can I add new models to an existing BIS registration?
Yes, but only through the inclusion procedure (Form VIII-A) and with test coverage for the new models or varieties. You should not market a new model under the old registration number until BIS has added it to the grant.
Reviewed by Satyam Gupta, Company Secretary (CS) & Advocate
8+ years of industry experience. This page was last reviewed on 16 October 2026 against the official sources below. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official portal before you apply.