BIS Certification of Wheat Atta lays down the specifications for the safety and quality of the
whole wheat flour commonly used for home food preparation such as chapati, roti and other
bread-making purposes. Due to its widespread use as a common consumable product, BIS
certification of wheat atta is important from a health perspective to ensure that the product
meets all safety norms required under national legislation.
IS 1155:2022 lays out the quality standards that apply to wheat atta meant for consumption by
humans. It is necessary for manufacturers who want to get their product accepted in the market
to meet the specifications laid down under this standard through proper evaluation of their
products. Certification under this standard brings about consistency in the industry.
What is IS 1155:2022
This is the Indian Standard for Wheat Atta (Whole Wheat Flour) used for the preparation of
chapatis, rotis, parathas, and other wheat-based food products. It outlines the quality
requirements, sampling methods, and testing procedures to ensure nutritional value and
consistency of atta. As per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Atta is:
- Evaluated for fibre content
- Tested for purity and storage quality
- Checked for moisture conformity
- Assessed for gluten content
BIS License Eligibility Crtiria for Wheat Atta
BIS authorisation under IS 1155:2022 is required for businesses involved in manufacturing,
importing, or supplying wheat atta in India.
Applicable to:
- Manufacturers (India) - Must get BIS approval if whole wheat flour is covered under
QCO.
- Foreign Manufacturers - Need certification to export the product to India.
- Importers/Brand Owners - Must ensure that the products are BIS-certified before sale.
- Sellers/Distributors - Should only sell certified atta.
Testing and Inspection Requirements
To ensure consistent quality of Wheat Atta used in food preparation, the Bureau of Indian
Standards outlines the minimum requirements under IS 1155:2022. This certification ensures
that manufacturers produce atta with the required nutritional characteristics, hygiene standards
and quality parameters for safe consumption. The BIS testing parameters and quality checks for
the atta are listed below:
BIS Approval Process for Wheat Atta in India
The process of BIS approval helps Wheat Atta (IS 1155:2022) meet the required standards of
quality, purity, and safety for use in human consumption. The steps in the process include:
- Online Registration: Manufacturers register on the BIS Manak portal by submitting company, factory, and product details. Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
- Testing at BIS-Approved Laboratory: Product samples are tested in BIS-approved laboratories for moisture content, fibre level, purity, nutritional composition and absence of contaminants.
- Application Submission:The application is submitted along with test reports, technical documents, and factory details. Foreign manufacturers must also submit AIR-related documents.
- Factory Inspection: Officials from the BIS come to the manufacturing unit to evaluate production processes, safety measures, and the quality control system.
- Grant of BIS License: Once all compliance procedures have been satisfactorily met, the certification license is granted by BIS under Scheme I.
- Use of ISI Mark: Following approval, the manufacturer is authorized to use the ISI Mark on the product along with a valid CM/L number, confirming that the product meets BIS standards.
mandatory Documents for IS 1155:2022 Approval
| Document Category | Documents Required |
|---|
| Basic Details | GST Certificate, Email ID & Contact Number, Factory & Office Address, Rent Agreement / Lease Deed (if applicable),Partnership Deed (if applicable for partnership firms) |
| Manufacturing Details | List of Machinery, Process Flow Chart, Factory Layout Plan |
| Raw Material Details | List of Raw Materials, Supplier Details, Raw Material Invoices, Raw Material Test Certificates |
| Testing & Quality Control | List of Testing Equipment, Calibration Certificates, QC/Lab In-charge Appointment Letter & Qualification |
| Production Details | Annual Installed Capacity, Last Year Production Value |
| Product & Packaging Details | Quantity per Package, Nature of Packing, Product Printing / Marking Details |
| Management Details | Top Management Details, BIS Communication Contact Person |
| Brand & Certification Documents | Trademark / Brand Certificate, Consent Letter from BIS Recognized Laboratory |
| Additional Documents | Weekly Off Details, Hygiene Document (if applicable), Relaxation Letter (if applicable), Any Other Relevant Document |
| Foreign Manufacturer Requirement | Appointment of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for BIS coordination and compliance in India |
The Foreign manufacturers must designate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) in India. The representative is the local point of contact for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and manages all compliance and regulatory requirements in India.
Marking Requirements for atta
Once the manufacturer receives the BIS license, the ISI mark may be used by the manufacturer
for Wheat Atta packaging as per the guidelines of BIS. The ISI mark should be displayed clearly
on the package, and also identification markings should be made according to IS 1155:2022.
Additional details are provided below:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| ISI Mark | Indicates that the product is BIS certified and conforms to standards |
| Standard Number | IS 1155:2022 |
| CML Number | Certification Marks License (CML) number issued by BIS |
| Manufacturer Details | Name of manufacturer or registered trademark |
| Batch / Date | Batch number, heat number, or manufacturing date for traceability |
Note: Marking is typically applied using durable stamping, tagging, or permanent printing to ensure clear identification during handling, storage, and transportation, as per BIS marking requirements.
Validity for wheat atta BIS approval
| particulars | Details |
|---|
| Initial Validity | Typically 1 to 2 years, depending on BIS approval conditions |
| Renewal | Must be renewed before expiry by submitting the application along with the prescribed fee and updated documents |
| Surveillane | BIS may inspect factories and test samples periodically |
| Annual Fees | Annual license fee must be paid regularly |
| Compliance | Continuous compliance with BIS requirements is necessary |
| License Format | BIS is shifting towards a 10-digit license number format |
| Non-Compliance Risk | May lead to suspension or cancellation of license |
Fee structure for BIS Certification under IS 1155:2022
The fee for the BIS Certification for Wheat Atta comprises application charges, testing charges
of the product, factory inspection charges, license charges, and marking charges as per BIS
Scheme-I.
| Charge Type | Indian Manufacturers | Foreign Manufacturers |
|---|
| Application Fee | INR 1,000 | USD 15 |
| Audit Charges | INR 7,000 | USD 3,200 – 5,900 |
| License Fee | INR 1,000 | USD 15 |
| Marking Fee | As applicable | As applicable |
| Testing Charges | As applicable | As applicable |
| EVTL India Consultancy Fee | As per actual | As per actual |
Note:
- Application fee for foreign manufacturers is payable via SWIFT (SAARC countries may pay in INR with applicable GST).
- Audit charges for foreign manufacturers vary based on country/location.
- The marking fee is determined based on the product category and production volume (MSME benefits may apply).
- Testing charges are to be paid directly to BIS-recognised laboratories.
- Consultancy fees can vary depending on product type and factory location.
Conclusion
The compliance of IS 1155:2022 plays a very vital part in ensuring that the wheat atta meets the
standards in terms of safety, quality and purity. Due to BIS certification, there is a level of
standardization of the production process, where the standards of moisture content, ash
content, gluten quality and hygiene requirements have been set in the production process. In
this way, there will be no chance of regulatory issues arising from the firm, and hence, they will
be able to sell their products in various markets.
BIS certification of Wheat Atta helps the manufacturer ensure a level of quality control in terms
of meeting the national safety standards along with standardized testing methods during the
food production process. This will help the manufacturer show their efficiency in a competitive
FMCG market. EVTL India usually assists the firms in preparing documentation, lab
coordination and the certification submission process.
