With the rapid growth of India’s real estate, hospitality, education, healthcare, and corporate sectors, the demand for durable and safe furniture has increased significantly. Furniture products such as work chairs, General-Purpose Chairs & Stools, tables and desks, beds, bunk beds, storage units, and office workstations are used daily in homes, institutions, and commercial establishments. Since these products directly impact user safety, strength, and long-term usability, regulatory compliance has become essential for manufacturers and importers.
To ensure furniture products meet prescribed safety and performance standards, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made certification mandatory for notified furniture items under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025. This regulation requires manufacturers and importers to obtain BIS certification and affix the ISI Mark before selling or distributing applicable furniture products in the Indian market.
This certification ensures that only quality-compliant furniture is manufactured, imported, and sold across India.
WHAT IS BIS CERTIFICATION FOR FURNITURE?
BIS Certification for Furniture is granted under the ISI Mark Scheme (Scheme-I), which verifies that a product conforms to the relevant Indian Standard (IS). Each category of furniture has specific standards that define requirements related to strength, durability, structural stability, safety, and workmanship.
These standards are designed to ensure that furniture can withstand regular use, load conditions, and environmental stress without compromising safety. By complying with the applicable IS standard, manufacturers maintain consistent product quality and protect consumers from unsafe or substandard furniture.
Applicable Authority – Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body responsible for product certification and quality regulation in India. Under the notified QCO for Furniture, manufacturers must obtain approval before placing applicable furniture products on the market.
According to the License requirements, no manufacturer or importer can legally sell notified furniture items without valid certification.
Applicable Indian Standards for furniture
Different categories of furniture are governed by specific Indian Standards (IS), which define safety, strength, durability, and performance benchmarks. These standards evaluate:
- Structural strength and load-bearing capacity
- Stability and balance
- Durability under repeated use
- Material quality
- Safety against sharp edges or unsafe design
Compliance with the relevant Indian Standard is mandatory before introducing the product into the Indian market.
BIS Registration for furniture – Mandatory requirement
Furniture products notified under the Quality Control Order require ISI Certification for Furniture. The certification is granted in the form of a BIS License for Furniture, allowing manufacturers to affix the ISI Mark on their products.
The license is issued strictly in the name of the manufacturer. Importers and brand owners must ensure that the furniture products they sell in India are already BIS-certified.
Both Indian and foreign manufacturers are required to comply with BIS regulations if they wish to operate in the Indian market.
Legal importance of BIS Registration for furniture Quality Control Order (QCO) 2025
A Quality Control Order (QCO) is a statutory order issued by the Government of India to ensure that products manufactured, imported, or sold in India meet prescribed quality and safety standards.
The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 has been notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Government of India. As per this order, specific categories of furniture must comply with standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and must bear the BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) before being manufactured, imported, or sold in India.
Objectives of QCO for Furniture:
- To ensure uniform quality and safety of furniture products.
- To prevent the sale of substandard and hazardous furniture items.
- To enhance consumer safety and confidence.
- To align Indian furniture products with globally recognized quality benchmarks.
Numerous furniture items that need to be BIS certified are covered by the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025. A list of goods covered by the QCO is provided below:
|
Furniture Type |
Indian Standard (IS Code) |
Description |
|
IS 17631:2022 |
Office and
workstation chairs | |
|
General-Purpose Chairs & Stools |
IS 17632:2022 |
Common
household and commercial chairs & stools |
IS 17633:2022 |
Study tables,
office desks, dining tables | |
IS 17634:2022 |
Wardrobes,
cabinets, and shelves | |
IS 17635:2022 |
Household and
commercial beds | |
IS 17636:2022 |
Bunk beds for
homes, hostels, etc. |
Benefits of BIS Certification for Furniture
1. Consumer Confidence & Safety: BIS Certified furniture is free from defects and is safe for use. Prevents damage from accidents that may be inflicted by cheap furniture.
2. Legal Requirements Considerations: The BIS Act, 2016 requires some furniture items to be in compliance with these standards under a legal framework. Penalties and limitations are meted out to manufacturers who aren't compliant.
3. Market Expansion: A company's reputation is improved and it may compete in international markets with BIS Certification. When it comes to government and institutional procurement, certified products are given preference.
4. Elimination of Subpar Products: Guarantees that the market is filled with only superior products. shields customers from subpar and deceptive furnishings.
5. Promotes Indian Manufacturing: Assists Indian producers in fulfilling global quality standards. promotes both export and domestic prospects.
How To Get Furniture BIS Certification :
There are multiple procedures involved in obtaining a BIS Certification for furniture. The procedure guarantees that the product satisfies the required Indian Standards and is examined for durability, safety, and quality.
Process for BIS Certification Step-by-Step :
- Finding The Applicable Standards: Determine which Indian Standard (IS Code) applies to the furniture item.
- Documents Preparation : Important documents including product specifications, test results, factory information, and business registration.
- Application Submission : Use the BIS site to submit an online application together with
the necessary paperwork.
- Examination of Papers : BIS representatives confirm the application's eligibility and the papers.
- Sample Testing: To ensure that the furniture product complies with requirements, it is
tested in a laboratory that has been approved by BIS.
- Production Site Audit: To provide adequate quality control, a BIS officer examines the
production plant.
- Grant of BIS License: : BIS grants the certification license if the product satisfies all standards.
Required Use of the ISI Mark
on Furniture
Manufacturers are required to put the ISI (Indian Standards Institute) mark mark on Furniture after
receiving a BIS license. This standard mark is a representation of quality control and adherence
to Indian standards.
Furniture manufacturing and sales without BIS Certification will be prohibited following the QCO's implementation. The BIS Act of 2016 imposes fines on any maker or importer who disobeys this directive.
Penalties for
Non-Compliance
If manufacturers or importers disregard the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, they may be subject to the following legal actions:
● Heavy penalties
● Order for product recalls
● Business limitations
● Seizure of furniture that doesn't comply
Therefore, acquiring BIS Certification is essential for all Indian furniture producers and exporters.
Conclusion
Furniture BIS Registration is an essential requirement for product quality and safety standard in India. By following BIS standards, a manufacturer can build his brand value and reputation in market and too get accepted worldwide with customer trust.
To make the process of certification easier, manufacturers can enquire to experienced professionals of BIS Certification such as EVTL India to simplify procedures.
Now, as a consumer who is buying furniture for the home you have every right to be concerned about its safety and long-term usage so please give us a round of applause for this one We are working hard to get all your wobble fears at once because let’s face it better safe than sorry. Making your products BIS-certified not only provides amazing quality furniture but also an outstanding factor on which consumers can rely.
Overview of The Furniture Quality Control Directive
This directive mandates that all furniture items must bear the Standard Mark and comply with the relevant Indian Standard 17633:2022 for tables and desks. According to Scheme I of Schedule II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, they must apply for a licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards in order to accomplish this.
However, this arrangement has certain deviations. First of all, products made domestically for export are not covered.
Second, this order will not apply to micro and small businesses as defined by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 for eighteen months after it is published.
Additionally, this order does not apply to goods or articles produced by businesses registered under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises' "Udyam Portal" that have a turnover of no more than two crore rupees and an investment in plant and machinery or equipment of no more than twenty-five lakh rupees, as certified by a chartered accountant.
The Bureau of Indian Standards is the certification and enforcement body for furniture products or articles under this regulation.
FAQs About BIS
Certification for Furniture
1. Is BIS
Certification mandatory for all furniture?
Yes, for specific furniture categories listed in the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, BIS Certification is mandatory.
2. How long
does it take to get BIS Certification for furniture?
The process typically takes 4-6 weeks, depending on testing, inspection, and document
verification.
3. Can we sell foreign furniture in India without a BIS Certification?
No, Imported Furniture which come under QCO is compulsory to have BIS Certification if the products are imported and sold in Indian market.
4. How long does a furniture BIS License lasts?
A BIS license can be renewed annually and is usually valid for one year.
5. What
happens a manufacturer breaches the QCO?
Non-compliance can result in penalties, fines, and a ban on
manufacturing or selling non-certified furniture.
6. Where should the application of BIS Certification be submitted by the manufacturer?
Manufacturers can apply through the official BIS portal or get in touch with EVTL India or any other BIS consultant for Furniture for assistance.
7. Should every piece of furniture be certified?
Yes, BIS Certification is mandatory for some categories of the furniture listed under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025.
8. Should every piece of furniture be certified?
Yes, BIS Certification is mandatory for some categories of the furniture listed under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025.