BIS Certification for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Works IS 4990: 2011

Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Works is commonly used in construction activities like making foundations, slabs, columns, bridges, and other infrastructure works in which casting of concrete work is required. The quality of the shuttering plywood affects the finishing quality, accuracy, and strength of the concrete structure. Thus, quality norms have been set up in accordance with BIS IS 4490:2024 for assuring efficient performance of the product in the harsh conditions of construction sites.

According to the Indian standard, the plywood to be used as concrete shuttering should conform to some specified characteristics regarding the quality of raw materials, adhesive bonding, moisture resistance, mechanical properties, dimensions, water resistance, and surface finishing. Conformance to BIS Quality Control Order (QCO) for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Works along with BIS Certification guarantees that the product conforms to Indian standards of safety and performance. The ISI mark on shuttering plywood is the certification of the durability and strength of the plywood.

What is IS 4490:2024 for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Works?

IS 4490:2024 specifies requirements for plywood used in concrete shuttering and formwork applications. It ensures that the material can withstand moisture exposure, heavy load conditions, and repeated usage without deformation or failure. Under BIS guidelines, formwork plywood is evaluated for:

Bonding strength and adhesive quality
Moisture resistance and water absorption
Thickness and dimensional accuracy
Density and structural integrity
Surface finish and reusability
Load-bearing performance

Key Benefits of ISI Mark Certification for Shuttering Plywood

Certification by BIS ISI Mark according to IS 4490:2024 provides uniformity in quality and safety in building constructions.

Compliance with the BIS standards for plywood quality in accordance with IS 4490
Increases reliability by getting the ISI Mark of BIS for plywood used for construction purposes
BIS Registration compliance for the use of plywood for formwork purposes
Quality control by BIS testing for bonding strength and moisture resistance
Better market acceptance by the BIS Consultant for IS 4490 and the BIS ISI Mark for shuttering plywood

Eligibility Criteria for BIS Certification of Concrete Shuttering Plywood

BIS Certification under IS 4490:2024 applies to all manufacturers and suppliers involved in the production and sale of formwork plywood.

Applicable To:

Indian Manufacturers - Must obtain BIS certification before sale
Foreign Manufacturers - Must obtain certification through an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)
Importers/Brand Owners - Must ensure BIS-certified products only
Distributors/Sellers - Should deal only in certified plywood

BIS Testing Requirements for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Work Under IS 4490:2024

To ensure consistent quality and performance of plywood used in concrete shuttering works, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) prescribes mandatory testing requirements under IS 4490:2024. These tests verify compliance with key mechanical, physical and durability parameters required for construction applications, such as formwork strength, water resistance, bonding quality and load-bearing capacity. Below are the BIS Testing Approvals for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Work:

Test Group	What is Tested	Purpose
Adhesive Quality Test	Type and conformity of synthetic resin adhesive	Ensures proper bonding strength and compliance with BWP grade requirements
Moisture Content Test	Moisture level in plywood	Ensures dimensional stability and prevents warping or deformation
Dimensional Test	Thickness, length, width, squareness and tolerances	Ensures accurate sizing and proper fit in shuttering applications
Workmanship & Finish Test	Surface finish, defects, and overall appearance	Ensures smooth surface and defect-free plywood for concrete use
Glue Adhesion (Dry State) Test	Bond strength between veneers	Ensures strong inter-layer adhesion under dry conditions
Water Resistance Test	Resistance to water penetration and bonding strength after exposure	Ensures durability in wet concrete environments
Plywood Coating/Overlay Test	Performance of plastic coated or film faced surface	Ensures surface protection and reusability in shuttering work
Mycological Test	Resistance against fungal decay	Ensures long-term durability in humid and biological exposure conditions
Tensile Strength Test	Resistance to pulling stress	Ensures structural strength under load conditions
Static Bending Strength Test	Flexural strength under static load	Ensures load-bearing capacity during concrete casting
Wet Bending Strength Test	Strength under wet conditions	Ensures performance even in moisture-exposed environments
Retention of Preservative Test	Chemical retention level in treated plywood	Ensures protection against biological degradation
Formaldehyde Content Test	Free formaldehyde emission level	Ensures safety and compliance with emission limits

Step-by-Step BIS Certification Process for Concrete Shuttering Plywood

BIS registration for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Works under IS 4490:2024 confirms that the product meets all applicable quality, strength and durability requirements required for construction applications. The certification process administered by BIS includes the following stages:

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 tensile strength, tear resistance, dimensions, mass, waterproofness, UV resistance, and workmanship requirements.
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 BIS visit the factory to make sure that the production process and quality control mechanisms are satisfactory.
Grant of BIS License: If all conditions of compliance are met successfully, BIS gives the license for the certification of products under Scheme-I.
Use of ISI Mark: After approving the product, the ISI mark is applied to it along with the number of CM/L.

Documents Required for BIS Certification of Concrete Shuttering Plywood

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

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.

ISI Marking Requirements for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Work Under IS 4490:2024

Once the BIS License is obtained, manufacturers must mention the ISI Mark for Concrete Shuttering Plywood on the packaging as per IS 4490:2024. The marking should always be easily noticeable during storage, transport and usage of the product.

Requirement	Details
ISI Mark	Indicates a BIS-certified product
Standard Number	IS 4490:2024
CML Number	BIS-issued Certification Marks Licence Number
Manufacturer Details	Manufacturer name or registered trademark
Batch Information	Manufacturing date, batch number, or lot number

Note: Marking should be printed or affixed durably on product packaging to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.

Validity and Renewal of BIS Certification for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Work

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 documents
Surveillance	Includes periodic factory inspections and market sample testing conducted by BIS
Compliance	Continuous following to standard and applicable Quality Control Orders (QCOs) is mandatory
Risk	Non-compliance or failed sample testing may lead to suspension or cancellation of the BIS license

BIS Certification Cost for Concrete Shuttering Plywood (IS 4490:2024)

The total BIS license cost for Concrete Shuttering Plywood includes application fees, laboratory testing charges, factory inspection fees, annual license fees and marking fees. The applicable charges vary depending on manufacturing scale and location.

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

It is crucial to highlight the importance of plywood for concrete shuttering works in building construction works, including bridges, dams, and infrastructures. The key importance of using high-quality shuttering plywood is due to the fact that shuttering plywood provides not only strength and stability but also smoothness of surface to concrete work along with appropriate load-carrying capacity. It should be noted that IS 4490:2024 is a must for using plywood for concrete shuttering to meet the quality criteria of this material.

Indian Standard Institution (ISI), which is BIS Certification for Plywood for Concrete Shuttering Work as per IS 4490:2024, is necessary to provide quality assurance for shuttering plywood. BIS ISI Mark for shuttering plywood proves the quality and reliability of the product to be used in the construction industry. It will help improve the marketability of your business as well. You may contact EVTL India to get help in documentation, testing, factory inspection and certification.