BIS Revises Scheme-II Regulations: CRS Licences Now Valid for 5 Years

A significant change has quietly taken place within India's BIS certification framework, bringing welcome relief for manufacturers operating under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has amended the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, revising the validity and continuation provisions for licences issued under Scheme-II. Under the amendment dated 25 February 2026, licences granted under Scheme-II will now enjoy a substantially longer validity period of five years.

For manufacturers managing multiple BIS registrations, this amendment reduces recurring renewal burdens and provides greater long-term compliance certainty.

What Exactly Has Changed?

According to the official BIS notification, the following changes have been introduced under Scheme-II -

• Initial Licence Validity Increased to Five Years

BIS has revised the validity period for newly granted licences under Scheme-II. A licence to use the Standard Mark will now be granted initially for: 5 Years

This replaces the earlier framework that required more frequent renewal cycles and recurring administrative procedures. Manufacturers now benefit from a longer operational window and improved planning stability.

• Renewal Validity Also Extended to Five Years

The amendment provides the same benefit at the renewal stage. Once renewed, a licence will remain valid for a further:5 Years

This change is expected to reduce documentation requirements, renewal tracking efforts, and regulatory workload for businesses managing multiple certified products.

Important Clarification: Annual Payments Still Continue

While licence validity has been extended, BIS has clearly stated that annual fee obligations remain unchanged. The official notification specifies that fees related to:

• Grant of licence
• Renewal of licence
• Continuation of operation of licence shall remain payable on an annual basis in advance within the prescribed due dates.

Therefore, a five-year licence validity does not eliminate yearly compliance responsibilitie

Production Details Remain Mandatory

One of the most important aspects of the amendment relates to ongoing compliance reporting. BIS has clarified that if annual fees along with production details are not submitted within the prescribed timelines, regulatory action may follow. Manufacturers must continue maintaining proper compliance records and ensure timely submission of required information.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

The notification specifically states that failure to submit annual fees and production details by the due date may attract provisions relating to:

• Suspension of licence
• Deferment actions
• Cancellation of licence
• Expiry-related actions

as prescribed under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, as amended. This means that although licence validity has increased, ongoing compliance discipline remains equally important.

Why This Amendment Matters

The revised validity framework reflects BIS's broader objective of modernizing India's certification ecosystem through:

• Reduced procedural burden
• Streamlined compliance systems
• Long-term regulatory efficiency
• Improved ease of doing business
• Stronger digital compliance management

For manufacturers, the benefits include fewer renewal cycles, better operational stability, and more predictable regulatory planning.

Key Benefits for Manufacturers

Reduced Administrative Burden

• Fewer renewal applications
• Reduced paperwork
• Lower compliance management costs

Better Business Continuity

• Longer licence validity period
• Improved production planning
• Greater certainty for imports and market expansion

Enhanced Compliance Management

• More time to focus on quality assurance
• Better surveillance preparedness
• Improved documentation control

What Manufacturers Should Do Now

To fully benefit from the revised framework, businesses should continue maintaining strong compliance systems.

Recommended Actions

• Track annual fee due dates carefully
• Maintain accurate production records
• Submit required declarations on time
• Monitor BIS compliance calendars regularly
• Avoid delays in annual fee payments
• Conduct periodic internal compliance reviews

Conclusion

The extension of Scheme-II licence validity from shorter renewal cycles to five years represents a positive and strategic reform by BIS. It reduces repetitive administrative requirements while providing greater certainty to manufacturers operating under CRS certification.

However, manufacturers should remember one important fact: Licence validity may now be five years, but annual compliance obligations remain mandatory.Timely payment of annual fees and submission of production details will continue to play a critical role in maintaining uninterrupted licence validity. Companies that proactively manage compliance will be best positioned to benefit from this important regulatory reform.