What is FMCS Approval?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) grants licenses to foreign manufacturers to use the standard ISI Mark on their products through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). This is mandatory for many products to be sold in India.
This scheme ensures that products manufactured outside India comply with Indian Standard (IS) specifications, guaranteeing quality and safety for Indian consumers. The certification is managed by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) in New Delhi.
The FMCS Journey
The certification process for manufacturers outside India is a comprehensive journey managed by the FMCD. It involves a factory audit, rigorous testing, and local representation.
Fresh Application
Initial certification for new products.
Renewal of License
Maintaining your active certification.
Inclusion of Varieties
Expanding your certified product range.
Fresh Application (Grant of License)
Key Process Steps
- 1Nomination of an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR).
- 2Preparation and submission of hard-copy application and documents to FMCD.
- 3Document scrutiny and query resolution with the BIS Dealing Officer.
- 4Nomination of an Inspection Officer for a preliminary factory audit.
- 5Sample sealing during the audit for independent testing in a BIS-approved lab in India.
- 6Grant of License upon satisfactory audit and test reports.
- 7Furnishing a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of USD 10,000.
Documents Required
- Company establishment legal documents.
- Nomination documents for the Authorised Indian Representative (AIR).
- Factory layout plan and location details (distance from nearest airport).
- Lists of all manufacturing and in-house testing equipment.
- Detailed manufacturing process flowchart.
- Information on Quality Control personnel.
- In-house test reports for the product.
Indicative Fee Structure
- Application Fee
- ~1,000 INR (in USD)
- Annual License Fee
- As per actuals
- Advance Minimum Marking Fee
- As per actuals
- Inspection Charges
- ~7,000 INR per day (in USD)
- Per Diem Expenses
- 900-1200 USD
- Airfare, VISA, etc.
- As per actuals
- Testing Charges
- As per actuals
- Performance Bank Guarantee
- 10,000 USD
License Renewal & Inclusion of New Varieties
Renewal Process
To maintain your license, submit an application with production data and consignee details for the operative period, along with the requisite fees. This ensures your certification and market access remain uninterrupted.
Inclusion Process
To add new product models to your existing license, samples must be tested by a BIS-approved lab. The successful test report and an application are then submitted to the FMCD for approval.
Begin Your Journey to the Indian Market
Navigating the FMCS process can be complex. Let our experts simplify it for you. Contact us for a detailed consultation on your product's certification requirements.