BIS Certification for Furniture

Furniture must comply with the applicable Indian Standard (IS)

Product testing must be carried out as required under the applicable BIS conformity assessment procedure

Manufacturer must have the required production facilities and quality control system

Eligible manufacturers may follow the Scheme-II route under the Transition Facilitation (QCO) Order, 2026

Applies to covered Indian manufacturers and imported furniture products

BIS compliance is a legal requirement for furniture products notified under the QCO, not merely a voluntary quality certification

R&D Imports Up to 200 Units

BIS-certified manufacturers or manufacturers who have applied for BIS certification can import up to 200 units per financial year of notified furniture for R&D purposes. These products cannot be sold commercially and must be disposed of as scrap, with required records maintained and submitted to the Central Government.

Exemption for Pre-Implementation Stock

Furniture manufactured or imported before QCO implementation by BIS-certified manufacturers or applicants can be sold, displayed, or offered for sale for up to 12 months from the implementation date, subject to the required self-declaration to BIS.

Exemption for Export-Oriented Furniture

Non-BIS-marked furniture, components, or sub-assemblies imported for manufacturing furniture for export are exempt from the QCO, subject to prescribed conditions. Manufacturers must submit a self-declaration with invoice and consignment details and ensure the products are not sold in the domestic market.

Relief for Pre-Implementation Shipments

Furniture consignments covered by a Bill of Lading showing that the goods were shipped before the Furniture QCO implementation date are exempt from the QCO, provided the Bill of Entry is dated within 180 days from the implementation date.

Relief for Pre-Implementation Purchase Orders

An exemption is also available where the Purchase Order was placed before the QCO implementation date, subject to the required shipping and customs timelines. Both the Bill of Lading and Bill of Entry must fall within the prescribed 180-day period.

Documents to Be Submitted to BIS

For imports covered under the pre-implementation Purchase Order provision, the importer must submit supporting documents to BIS within 7 days of clearance. These include the Purchase Order, Bill of Lading, Bill of Entry and other supporting documents, duly signed by the authorised signatory on the importer's letterhead.

Limited Transitional Relief for Importers

The Second Amendment is intended to protect importers whose furniture consignments were already shipped or contractually committed before the QCO became applicable. It provides a defined transition period without removing the underlying BIS compliance requirement for future imports of notified furniture products.

Identify the Correct Indian Standard

First, identify the Indian Standard (IS) applicable to your specific furniture product under the Furniture QCO. Check the product scope, including its dimensions, materials, construction, and intended use. It is also important to check any exclusions mentioned under the applicable standard.

Prepare Technical & Business Documents

Prepare all documents required for the BIS application, such as business registration documents, GST certificate, factory layout, machinery details, quality control procedures, raw material specifications, and product drawings. Documents should be prepared according to BIS requirements to avoid delays.

Submit the BIS Application

Submit the BIS application through the ManakOnline portal with complete product, factory, and standard details. The applicable BIS fees are also paid during the application process. All information should be checked carefully before submission.

Product Testing at a BIS-Recognized Laboratory

Furniture samples are tested at a BIS-recognized laboratory according to the applicable Indian Standard. Depending on the product, testing may cover parameters such as strength, stability, durability, safety, dimensions, and performance. Manufacturers may also conduct preliminary testing to identify compliance issues before applying.

BIS Document Review

BIS reviews the application, technical documents, and test reports. If BIS raises any queries or identifies deficiencies, the manufacturer must provide the required clarification or documents within the specified time.

Factory Inspection by BIS

A BIS officer inspects the manufacturing facility to verify the manufacturing process, raw materials, quality control procedures, testing facilities, machinery, and in-house inspection arrangements. Samples may also be selected during the inspection for further testing.

Grant of BIS Licence and Use of ISI Mark

After satisfactory completion of document verification, testing, and factory inspection, BIS grants the certification licence under the applicable certification scheme. The manufacturer can then use the ISI Mark on certified furniture products in accordance with BIS requirements.

Ongoing Surveillance and Licence Renewal

BIS may conduct periodic surveillance inspections and collect samples from the factory or market for testing. Manufacturers must continue to meet the applicable Indian Standard, maintain quality records, and renew the BIS licence before its expiry. Any significant changes to the product, raw materials, or manufacturing process should be handled as per BIS requirements.

Compliance with the BIS QCO for Furniture.

Confirmation that furniture products satisfy the BIS Testing Requirement for Furniture.

Use of the ISI Mark by the manufacturer after being authorized by BIS.

Increased customer trust and better brand reputation.

Prevention of any penalties due to non-compliance.

More business opportunities in government and institutional tenders.

We work with the actual six BIS furniture standards. Our approach is based on the specific IS code applicable to your product, from IS 17631:2022 for work chairs to IS 17636:2022 for bunk beds. This helps avoid applying under an incorrect product category or standard.

We keep up with the latest furniture QCO amendments. The original Furniture QCO was issued through S.O. 801(E) in February 2025 and has subsequently been amended through notifications including S.O. 774(E) and S.O. 1125(E) in 2026. Our compliance guidance is aligned with these updates rather than relying only on the original QCO.

We understand that furniture certification involves product-specific testing. BIS laboratory information for IS 17631, for example, includes tests covering areas such as static loads, durability, overturning and material-related performance requirements. The exact testing requirements depend on the applicable product standard and construction.

We help manufacturers prepare for BIS inspection. Certification is not limited to submitting an application. Manufacturers need appropriate production arrangements, quality-control systems, testing facilities or access to required testing arrangements, technical records and supporting documents. Our team helps organise these requirements before the BIS assessment.

We support both Indian and overseas manufacturers. Furniture covered by a QCO cannot simply be manufactured or imported for commercial sale without meeting the applicable BIS requirements. For foreign manufacturers, the certification route and additional requirements need to be assessed based on the manufacturing location and applicable BIS scheme. BIS confirms that products covered by compulsory certification require the prescribed Standard Mark under the relevant BIS licence or conformity route.

We verify the scope before recommending certification. Not every item described commercially as “furniture” automatically falls under these six notified standards. We first examine the product type, construction, intended use and applicable standard before advising on the certification requirement.

We use BIS product manuals and standard-specific information. BIS publishes product manuals for furniture standards including IS 17631, IS 17632, IS 17633, IS 17634, IS 17635 and IS 17636. These documents help define the conformity-assessment requirements for the respective products.

We provide end-to-end certification support. From identifying the applicable IS standard and preparing documentation to coordinating testing, application submission, inspection and subsequent BIS compliance, EVTL India supports manufacturers through the complete certification process.

We focus on compliance, not just licence procurement. The objective is to help manufacturers establish a process that continues to meet the applicable Indian Standard after certification. This is particularly important because BIS states that the latest version of the applicable Indian Standard, including notified amendments, applies under the Furniture QCO.