BIS Certification for Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulated PVC Sheathed Cables IS 7098 (Part 1): 1988

Crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) insulated thermoplastic sheathed cables find extensive application in power distribution networks, industries, commercial buildings, infrastructure projects and utility services. This is mainly due to the outstanding electrical properties, greater current-carrying capacity, improved resistance to heat, and durability of such cables. The choice of XLPE insulated cables will allow efficient transportation and distribution of electricity safely and reliably.

Considering that XLPE insulated cables are an important component of electric supply systems, they have to be produced in compliance with all of the requirements provided by IS 7098 (Part 1):2025 concerning Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulated Thermoplastic Sheathed Cables for operating voltages up to and including 1100 volts. As per the Indian Standard, manufacturers have to follow numerous requirements in relation to quality of conductors, insulation properties, sheath features, electrical, thermal, and mechanical performance. Complying with relevant BIS Quality Control Order (QCO) and obtaining certification according to the Indian Standard becomes necessary for selling XLPE insulated cables in India. The ISI Mark on XLPE insulated cables indicates the quality and safety of products conforming to Indian standards.

What is IS 7098 (Part 1):2025?

IS 7098 (Part 1):2025 is the Indian Standard that specifies the requirements for Crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) insulated thermoplastic sheathed cables suitable for electric supply and control systems with working voltages up to and including 1100 volts. The standard contains provisions regarding material specifications, construction guidelines, dimensional accuracy, testing methods, performance standards and marking requirements for single-core and multi-core electrical cables. Under BIS criteria, the cables are checked for:

Conductor quality and electric resistance
Insulation material and properties
Sheath material properties and thickness
High voltage breakdown performance
Thermal stability and aging properties

BIS Certification Eligibility for XLPE Insulated Cables

BIS registration under IS 7098 (Part 1):2025 is required for entities involved in the production, import, or supply of crosslinked polyethylene insulated electrical cables in India.

Applicable to:

Manufacturers (India) - Must get BIS approval for their products if the cables fall under the relevant Quality Control Order.
Foreign Manufacturers - Need to obtain BIS certification prior to exporting XLPE insulated cables to India.
Importers/Brand Owners - Must check and verify that the electrical cables have valid BIS certification before distribution in the Indian market.
Sellers/Distributors - Should only keep and sell certified cables that fulfill BIS guidelines.

Benefits of BIS Certification for XLPE Insulated Cables

Obtaining BIS Certification according to IS 7098 (Part 1):2025 ensures that the crosslinked polyethylene insulated thermoplastic sheathed cables comply with Indian safety requirements, quality parameters, electrical characteristics and performance measures.

BIS Certification for XLPE Insulated Cables confirms adherence to IS 7098 (Part 1):2025 criteria
ISI Mark Certification ensures the safety, reliability, and efficient performance of electrical cables up to 1100V
Compliance with IS 7098 (Part 1):2025 ensures the current-carrying capacity and thermal stability of cables
BIS-approved electrical cables provide uniform quality and production consistency
The presence of the ISI Mark on XLPE cables improves buyer confidence in the product
BIS Approval facilitates selection and participation in large public utilities, commercial projects and government tenders
Certified XLPE cables help minimize the possibility of short circuits, insulation breakdown, and electrical hazards
BIS Licensing demonstrates the manufacturer's commitment to high quality and safety practices

BIS Testing Requirements for XLPE Insulated Cables under IS 7098 (Part 1):2025

To verify the electrical safety, mechanical robustness, thermal stability and longevity of crosslinked polyethylene insulated thermoplastic sheathed cables, the Bureau of Indian Standards mandates a series of quality and testing requirements under IS 7098 (Part 1):2025. These tests are necessary to ensure that the cables can operate without failing at voltages up to 1100 volts. The BIS testing requirements and parameters are categorized below:

Test Group	What is Tested	Purpose
Conductor Tests	Annealing test (for copper), wrapping test (for aluminium), resistance test	Ensures proper flexibility, physical strength and that electrical resistance does not exceed specified values
Physical & Dimensional Checks	Thickness of insulation, outer sheath thickness, inner sheath thickness, overall diameter, configuration	Verifies dimensional conformity, manufacturing consistency and safety compliance as per IS 7098 (Part 1):2025
Insulation Material Properties	Tensile strength, elongation at break, hot set test, water absorption test, shrinkage test	Confirms the crosslinking quality, mechanical capability, heat resistance and dimensional stability of XLPE insulation
Sheath Material Properties	Tensile strength and elongation at break (before and after aging), loss of mass test	Ensures the outer thermoplastic sheath provides adequate environmental and mechanical protection over time
Thermal & Cold Tests	Heat shock test, hot deformation test, cold bend test, cold impact test	Verifies the durability and functionality of the cable insulation and sheath under extreme high and low temperatures
Flammability & Fire Tests	Flammability test, fire resistance compliance (where specified)	Assesses the flame retardant properties and safety of the cable in the event of an electrical fire or exposure to flames
Electrical & Voltage Tests	Insulation resistance test (volume resistivity), high voltage test	Ensures excellent electrical isolation properties and ability to withstand 1100V without voltage breakdown
Mechanical & Structural Tests	Armor wire/strip dimensions, tensile strength, elongation, torsion/winding tests, zinc coating mass	Ensures that armored cables have the necessary mechanical protection and structural integrity against physical impact
Carbon Black & Aging Tests	Carbon black content and dispersion (for black sheaths), thermal aging tests	Ensures resistance to ultraviolet (UV) degradation and long-term stability under continuous thermal loading

BIS Certification Process for XLPE Insulated Cables under IS 7098 (Part 1):2025

The BIS registration process for Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulated Thermoplastic Sheathed Cables ensures that the electrical cables fulfill the required criteria for safe power distribution. This process follows Scheme-I guidelines of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and includes the following steps:

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 electrical resistance, high voltage tolerance, insulation characteristics and mechanical performance.
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 :-BIS officials conduct on-site inspections for manufacturing units to verify the production process, testing equipment, calibration status and quality control systems.
Grant of BIS License :- Once all requirements are successfully fulfilled, BIS grants the certification license under Scheme-I.
Use of ISI Mark :- After approval, the manufacturer can affix the ISI mark on the product with a CM/L number, confirming that the product meets BIS standards.

Required Documents for BIS Approval of XLPE Insulated Cables

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 Requirements	Agreement with AIR (Authorized Indian Representative), Aadhaar Card of AIR, AIR Nomination Form, Required Undertakings, Scope of License

Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) in India. The representative is the local point of contact for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and takes care of all rules and compliance work in India.

ISI Marking Requirements for XLPE Insulated Cables

After obtaining a BIS license, the ISI Mark for the crosslinked polyethylene insulated cable must be clearly and permanently printed or embossed on the cable surface or its packaging drum. Along with the ISI Mark, specific product information and the license number (CM/L) are required. This ensures the product complies with all electrical and performance parameters. More details are mentioned below:

Requirement	Details
ISI Mark	Indicates that the product is BIS certified and conforms to standards
Standard Number	IS 7098 (Part 1): 2025
CML Number	Certification Marks Licence (CML) number issued by BIS
Manufacturer Details	Name of manufacturer or registered trademark
Cable Specifications	Voltage grade (up to 1100V), number of cores, cross-sectional area of conductor, type of insulation (XLPE)
Batch / Date	Batch number, sequential length marking, or year of manufacture for identification and traceability

Note: Marking is typically applied using embossing, indenting, or printing at regular intervals on the cable jacket to ensure clear identification during installation, usage, and inspection as per BIS marking rules.

Validity Period of ISI Mark License for XLPE Insulated Cables

Particulars	Details
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 production data
Surveillance	Includes periodic factory inspections, evaluation of test logs, and market sample testing conducted by BIS
Compliance	Continuous following of the standard provisions and applicable Quality Control Orders (QCOs) is mandatory
Risk	Non-compliance or failed sample testing during audits may lead to suspension or cancellation of the BIS license

BIS Certification Fees for XLPE Insulated Cables

The cost of obtaining a BIS License for crosslinked polyethylene insulated cables includes different charges for registration, inspection, license fee, testing, and volume-based marking fees. These fees are payable to BIS as per Scheme I guidelines.

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 and travel parameters.
The marking fee is determined based on the total production output and size categories (MSME concessions may apply).
Testing charges are to be paid directly to the designated BIS-recognised or NABL-accredited testing laboratories.
Consultancy fees vary based on the range of cable varieties, sizes, and manufacturing location.

Conclusion

The quality of electrical components like Crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) insulated thermoplastic sheathed cables is of great significance in maintaining the safety and efficiency of power transmission systems. IS 7098 (Part 1):2025 provides clear parameters for manufacturers to ensure that their cables fulfill necessary criteria, such as conductor resistance, insulation properties, heat resistance, and high-voltage performance. Getting the BIS ISI Mark for XLPE Cables confirms that the items comply with Indian Standards. This helps improve the confidence of developers, engineers, and power distribution utilities.

Acquiring BIS Certification for Crosslinked Polyethylene Insulated Cables is highly useful for manufacturers to ensure long-term entry into the Indian market and improve the trust of buyers as well as participate in government and infrastructure projects. Manufacturers who want to obtain BIS Certification can get valuable advice from a professional BIS Consultant for Electrical Cables. EVTL India can offer complete assistance with BIS Certification for XLPE Insulated Cables.