On February 25, 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) enacted sweeping amendments to the Conformity Assessment Regulations, significantly impacting the licensing, renewal, and compliance framework for regulated products in India. The amendments introduce a mandatory annual advance payment of fees at the time of licence or certificate grant, renewal, and for continued operation, with strict timelines and consequences for non-payment.

If the annual fee and production statement are not received by the due date, the licence or certificate of conformity will be automatically suspended for 90 days. Suspension may be revoked upon payment of the outstanding fee plus a late fee, but failure to pay within the suspension period results in cancellation. These rules apply to both domestic and foreign manufacturers, with detailed requirements for the nomination and responsibilities of Indian representatives for foreign entities.

The amendments also clarify procedures for licence renewal, inclusion or withdrawal of models, and changes to key details, requiring specific documentation and notarized undertakings. Labelling and marking requirements for the Standard Mark are reinforced, including specifications for size, color, placement, and mandatory references to the applicable standard and licence number.

Special fee concessions are provided for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups until May 31, 2029. The reforms aim to enhance compliance, traceability, and market surveillance, with increased obligations for all stakeholders in the supply chain.

This is a High Impact regulatory change.

Key reasons for high impact:

• Mandatory annual advance fee payment for all BIS licences and certificates, with strict suspension and cancellation rules for non-payment.
• Applies to a wide range of products, including electronics, telecom, industrial, and consumer goods.
• New and reinforced requirements for Indian representatives of foreign manufacturers, including notarized undertakings and joint liability.
• Updated procedures for renewal, model inclusion/withdrawal, and information changes, requiring additional documentation.
• Enhanced labelling and marking requirements for the Standard Mark, affecting packaging and product design.

Who is affected?

Manufacturers (domestic and foreign), importers, Indian representatives, certificate holders, and distributors across multiple sectors.

Conclusion:

Immediate compliance review and process updates are required for all regulated product stakeholders to avoid operational disruptions and ensure continued market access.