---
title: "Ensuring Quality and Safety: The Role of the Bureau of Indian Standards"
date: 2024-10-21
author: "Rahul Sundaram"
url: https://www.indialaw.in/blog/civil/ensuring-quality-and-safety-the-role-of-the-bureau-of-indian-standards/
---

# Ensuring Quality and Safety: The Role of the Bureau of Indian Standards

Posted On - 21 October, 2024 •

By - [Rahul Sundaram](https://www.indialaw.in/people/rahul-sundaram/ "Posts by Rahul Sundaram")

[![Bureau of Indian Standards emblem representing quality and safety compliance in India](https://www.indialaw.in/wp-content/uploads/Ensuring-Quality-and-Safety-The-Role-of-the-Bureau-of-Indian-Standards.png)](https://www.indialaw.in/wp-content/uploads/Ensuring-Quality-and-Safety-The-Role-of-the-Bureau-of-Indian-Standards.png)

## **Introduction to BIS**

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act of 2016 (11 of 2016). BIS’s mission is to develop standards, provide quality certification, and implement hallmarking for goods.

## **Structure and Governance**

BIS is a corporate body composed of 25 members representing Central and State governments, Members of Parliament, industry, scientific and research institutions, consumer organizations, and professional bodies. The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution serves as its President, while the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution acts as the Vice-President.

## **Importance of Standards**

By defining these standards, BIS ensures the availability of safe and reliable products, reduces health risks for consumers, promotes exports, and regulates the diversity of goods through effective standardization, certification, and testing.

## **Role in Setting Standards**

The Bureau is responsible for setting Indian Standards, which are guidelines for various goods, services, and processes. They can create, update, and promote these standards as needed. Additionally, the Bureau can adopt standards from other institutions, both in India and abroad, ensuring that these are integrated into the Indian Standards framework. They also have the authority to recognize or accredit other organizations involved in standardization efforts, whether within the country or internationally. To support the development of these standards, the Bureau encourages and conducts research that is essential for creating effective guidelines.

## **Technical Committees and Standard-Setting**

When creating these standards, the Bureau may form technical committees made up of experts in relevant fields. This allows for a comprehensive and informed approach to standard-setting. Once an Indian Standard is established, it is formally announced and remains in effect until the Bureau decides to withdraw it. Importantly, the Bureau retains copyright over the Indian Standards and any other publications it produces, meaning they control how these documents are used and distributed. Overall, the Bureau plays a crucial role in ensuring that standards are well-defined and maintained for various aspects of industry and services in India.

## **Certification Requirements**

No individual may import, distribute, sell, store, or display goods specified under the BIS Act without certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS / Bureau). Only certified entities are permitted to sell or advertise goods marked with the Standard Mark, including Hallmarks. Certified jewellers must ensure that any items sold bear the Standard Mark or Hallmark and comply with relevant standards. Additionally, the Central Government can declare certain goods or services necessary for public interest, health, safety, and national security, requiring them to meet specified standards and bear the Standard Mark under a license or certificate.

## **Prohibitions and Compliance**

No person shall manufacture, import, distribute, sell, hire, lease, store, or exhibit for sale any goods, articles, processes, systems, or services specified under these provisions without a Standard Mark, unless they possess a valid license. Furthermore, even with a license, no one may apply a Standard Mark unless the goods, articles, processes, systems, or services conform to the relevant standards or essential requirements. Additionally, individuals are prohibited from making public claims—through advertisements, promotional materials, price lists, or similar means—that their goods, articles, processes, systems, or services conform to an Indian standard, or from making such declarations on the goods or articles, without holding a valid certificate of conformity or license from the Bureau or any other authority approved by the Central Government. Lastly, no one may use, apply, or attempt to use or apply a Standard Mark, or any imitation thereof, in the manufacture, distribution, sale, hire, lease, or exhibition of any goods, articles, processes, systems, or services, or in relation to any patent, trademark, or design, except under a valid license from the Bureau.

## **Responsibilities of License Holders**

The license holder is always responsible for ensuring that goods, processes, and services with the Standard Mark meet required standards. Distributors and sellers must ensure that the items they sell come from certified bodies or license holders. Before selling or displaying these items, sellers must check that they have the correct labels and markings as specified by the Bureau.

## **Quality Monitoring**

Certified bodies and license holders must provide the Bureau with information and samples as needed for quality monitoring. The Bureau has the authority to inspect goods and take samples to ensure they comply with standards and that the Standard Mark is used correctly. They can also share their findings publicly.

## **Actions Against Non-Conformance**

If the Bureau finds that any goods with the Standard Mark do not meet standards, they can direct the license holder to stop selling those items and recall any that have already been sold. If non-conforming goods are sold, the Bureau may require the license holder to repair, replace, or compensate consumers for any issues caused by these goods.

## **Establishing Technical Committees**

The BIS Rules of 2016 empower the Bureau to create technical committees, called Division Councils, to develop Indian Standards for various goods, articles, processes, systems, and services. These councils will focus on formulating standards based on expert input. Division Councils can establish multiple Sectional Committees as needed for this purpose. Each Sectional Committee will include Bureau officials and representatives from various sectors, such as consumers, government bodies, industry, testing organizations, scientists, and technologists. An officer from the Bureau will serve as the Member-Secretary for each committee. Additionally, a Sectional Committee can set up sub-committees, panels, or working groups to further divide its work. These groups will have clearly defined roles and will coordinate their activities to support the committee’s objectives.

## **Certification Scheme**

The BIS certification scheme is primarily voluntary. However, for certain products, compliance with Indian Standards is mandatory as determined by the Central Government. This requirement is based on considerations such as public interest, the protection of human, animal, or plant health, environmental safety, the prevention of unfair trade practices, and national security. For these products, the Central Government mandates the use of the Standard Mark under a License or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by BIS through Quality Control Orders (QCOs).

## **Quality Control Orders**

The Central Government, in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), issues Quality Control Orders (QCOs) that mandate certification for certain products, requiring them to conform to relevant Indian Standards and bear the Standard Mark under a License or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from BIS. QCOs are published after stakeholder consultations, establishing clear start dates. After this date, no one may manufacture, import, or sell these products without the necessary certification. The same regulations apply to imported goods, which must also meet Indian Standards, and foreign manufacturers must obtain a License or CoC from BIS. Violations of QCO provisions can lead to penalties, while exemptions for specific products are determined by the relevant Line Ministry. The latest versions of Indian Standards apply to QCOs, and amendments will follow timelines set by BIS. Individuals seeking clarification on QCO applicability can reach out to the relevant authorities, and BIS plays a crucial role in issuing QCOs, providing technical input, and enforcing compliance, with information available on the BIS website.

## **Conclusion**

The Bureau of Indian Standards is instrumental in fostering a safe and reliable marketplace in India through its comprehensive standardization efforts. By promoting quality and safety, BIS not only protects consumers but also enhances the country’s industrial competitiveness. As regulations evolve, BIS remains committed to upholding high standards and facilitating compliance, ensuring that Indian products meet both domestic and international benchmarks for excellence.

**For further information please write to [rahul.sundaram@indialaw.in](mailto:rahul.sundaram@indialaw.in)**

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# IndiaLaw LLP — Offices & Contact Details

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## General Contact

| | |
|---|---|
| **Website** | https://www.indialaw.in |
| **Primary email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Primary phone** | +91 836-9995919 |
| **Contact form** | https://www.indialaw.in/connect/ |
| **Careers (separate channel)** | https://www.indialaw.in/careers/ |


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## All Offices (9 locations across 8 cities)

### 1. Mumbai — Registered Office & Head Office (Apeejay Chambers)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Apeejay Chambers, Ground Floor, Wallace Street, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001 |
| **Phone** | [022-6924-7400](tel:02269247400) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/mumbai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Arbitration · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Corporate · Banking · Real Estate · IP |
| **Notes** | The HQ. 5 partners based here. Handles PAN-India litigation, arbitration, corporate, banking, IP and real estate practice. Largest team across all offices. |

### 2. Mumbai — Non-Litigation Office (Excelsior, Fort)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | 4th Floor, New Excelsior Theatre Pvt. Ltd., Amrit Keshav Nayak Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400 001 |
| **Phone** | [022-697-40500](tel:022-697-40500) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/mumbai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Non-litigation only — consultations, negotiations, transactional work |
| **Notes** | Opened 2024. Litigation and arbitration remain at the Apeejay Chambers head office. |

### 3. Delhi

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Flat No. 1107 & 1108, Prakashdeep Building, Tolstoy Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110 001 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/delhi/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Arbitration · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Corporate · Banking · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | 3 partners based here. Located near the Supreme Court of India, Delhi High Court and other appellate bodies. |

### 4. Kolkata

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Centre Point Building, Room No. 214, 2nd Floor, Premises No. 21, Hemanta Basu Sarani, Opp. Great Eastern Hotel, P.S. Hare Street, Kolkata – 700 001, West Bengal |
| **Phone** | [+91 33 4813 1001](tel:+913348131001) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/kolkata/ |
| **Practice focus** | Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Commercial & Civil Litigation · Arbitration · Banking Litigation · Real Estate · Labour & Employment · Consumer |
| **Notes** | Advises banks, NBFCs, MSMEs and corporates on transactions and dispute resolution. Works in close coordination with the Mumbai HO. |

### 5. Chennai

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | GF-A, 19 Casa Major Road, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/chennai/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Full-fledged office with experienced legal team. Supported by Mumbai HO. |

### 6. Bengaluru (Bangalore)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | INDIALAW LLP, No. 7 Chinnaswamy Mudaliar Road, Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore – 560 051 |
| **Phone** | [080-4167-2444](tel:08041672444) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/bengaluru/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate · Family Laws · Labour |
| **Notes** | Located near Bangalore High Court. Handles corporate, commercial, banking and matrimonial disputes. |

### 7. Hyderabad

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | 403, 4th Floor, Sanatana Ecstasy Building, beside Tanishq Show Room, Himayathnagar, Hyderabad – 500 029, Telangana |
| **Phone** | [040-6666-5166](tel:04066665166) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/hyderabad/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Banking · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Particularly well known for complex banking matters and real estate transactions. |

### 8. Cochin (Kochi)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | Second Floor, Pulikkal Building, K.K. Padmanabhan Road, Ernakulam North – 682 018, Kerala |
| **Phone** | [0484-3583961](tel:04843583961) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/cochin/ |
| **Practice focus** | Litigation · Insolvency & Bankruptcy · Real Estate |
| **Notes** | Commercial disputes, property litigation, financial-claim arbitrations and real estate transactions. |

### 9. Noida (NCR)

| | |
|---|---|
| **Address** | No. 16 & 17, Silver Offices, 17th Floor, Wave One, Sector 18, Noida – 201 301 |
| **Phone** | (general line: +91 836-9995919) |
| **Email** | contact@indialaw.in |
| **Page** | https://www.indialaw.in/noida/ |
| **Practice focus** | Aviation · Insurance · Mergers & Acquisitions · Corporate |
| **Office head** | **Mr. Dinesh Gupta** (joined August 2025 to lead and expand the corporate practice) |
| **Notes** | Newest office. Sector-focused on highly regulated industries serving NCR-based clients. |

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## Quick-Dial Phone List

| Office | Phone |
|---|---|
| Mumbai HO (Apeejay) | 022-6924-7400 |
| Mumbai Excelsior | 022-697-40500 |
| Kolkata | +91 33 4813 1001 |
| Bengaluru | 080-4167-2444 |
| Hyderabad | 040-6666-5166 |
| Cochin | 0484-3583961 |
| **General / Marketing line** | **+91 836-9995919** |

Delhi, Chennai and Noida route through the general number.

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