Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salt) is used across the field of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, the food industry, and even other industries owing to its highly variable nature from the perspective of chemistry. It is a major constituent of magnesium and finds widespread application in fertilizers, medicines and even other chemical reactions, all requiring precision and controlled composition.
BIS Certificate for Magnesium Sulphate, as per IS 2730:1977, is a certificate issued to provide the buyer with assurance regarding the chemical composition, quality, and suitability of use of the product. It involves several tests including magnesium sulphate, permissible limits of impurities and chemical and physical characteristics of the product.
What is IS 2730:1977?
IS 2730:1977 is the Indian Standard for Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salts) used in pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial, and chemical applications. The standard specifies quality requirements, chemical composition, purity levels, and permissible limits of impurities to ensure product consistency and safety. As per the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), Epsom Salts are:
- Tested for magnesium sulphate content
- Assessed for impurity limits
- Evaluated for physical characteristics
- Checked for chemical purity
Eligibility for BIS Certification of Magnesium Sulphate
BIS certification under IS 2730:1977 is required for businesses involved in the manufacturing, importing, or supplying of Magnesium Sulphate in India.
Applicable to:
- Manufacturers (India) - Must get BIS approval if the products are 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 Epsom Salts.
Quality Control and Inspection Guidelines for Epsom Salt
To maintain consistency in terms of quality and adherence to regulations, BIS has set out certain testing and inspection criteria for magnesium sulphate in accordance with IS 2730:1977. Certification of the product guarantees its conformity with the required norms of quality and suitability for use. The following testing criteria of BIS for magnesium sulphate are mentioned below:
| Test Group | What is Tested | Purpose |
| Magnesium Sulphate Content Test | Percentage of Magnesium Sulphate by mass | Verifies the required purity and composition of the product |
| Chloride Content Test | Chloride impurities present in the sample | Ensures chloride levels remain within permissible limits |
| Lead Content Test | Presence of lead in pure grade material | Ensures product safety by controlling toxic heavy metal contamination |
| Arsenic Test | Arsenic concentration in pure grade material | Verifies compliance with safety requirements for hazardous substances |
| Iron Content Test | Percentage of iron impurities | Ensures product quality and suitability for intended applications |
| Zinc Content Test | Zinc concentration in pure grade material | Confirms compliance with prescribed impurity limits |
| Water Insoluble Matter Test | Amount of insoluble material in technical grade | Ensures product purity and manufacturing consistency |
| Acidity or Alkalinity Test | Acidic or alkaline nature of the product | Confirms chemical stability and compliance with standard requirements |
BIS Approval Procedure under IS 2730:1977
The BIS certification process ensures that Epsom Salts meets the required standards for chemical purity and suitability for pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial applications. This process is set by 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 magnesium sulphate content, impurity limits (such as chlorides, iron, lead, arsenic, and zinc), water-insoluble matter and chemical stability to ensure compliance with IS 2730:1977.
- 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 visit the manufacturing facility to evaluate production processes, safety measures, and the quality control system.
- Grant of BIS License :- After all compliance requirements are satisfactorily met, BIS grants the certification license 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.
Required Documents for IS 2730:1977 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 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 Mark Requirements under IS 2730:1977
After the manufacturer obtains a BIS license, the Standard Mark must be clearly and permanently marked on each package or container of Magnesium Sulphate. The marking must also include key details such as the manufacturer's identification and the BIS licence number (CM/L). Additional details are provided below:
| Requirement | Details |
| ISI Mark | Indicates that the product is BIS certified and conforms to standards |
| Standard Number | IS 2730:1977 |
| CML Number | Certification Marks Licence (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 and Renewal of BIS License for Epsom Salt
| 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 Application and Testing Fees for IS 2730:1977
The BIS certification cost for Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salts) includes charges for application processing, testing, inspection, licensing and marking. These fees are payable to the Bureau of Indian Standards 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.
- 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
As per IS 2730:1977, Magnesium Sulphate has a consistent nature as well as chemical stability. Magnesium Sulphate is used for various purposes which include the field of pharmacy and agriculture, along with other industrial uses. This process will help in ensuring the quality of the product by evaluating various factors related to magnesium sulphate such as magnesium sulphate content, impurities, insoluble matter, and chemical purity.
Conformity with the requirements of BIS will help ensure that Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salts) is manufactured as per the quality criteria. Regarding this, EVTL India helps the manufacturer of this product get BIS certification as per IS 2730:1977 in no time.
