BIS Certification for Furniture 2025 Guide of Mandatory Rules, Process & Benefits

Furniture is a necessary aspect of our lives. Imagine someone wakes up after sleeping on a bed, which causes physical discomfort. Poor quality and useless work chairs, tables, desks, bunk beds, etc. are usually the causes of many physical problems like neck aches, spondylosis, and cervical issues. For their avoidance, improved-quality and eco-friendly furniture pieces must be adhered to. To simplify the search, the Indian government has established regulations to ensure the dependency and longevity of products. This helps consumers believe in the products with fewer suspicions and boosts sales for manufacturers. In addition, it allows manufacturers to build a good reputation in consumers' minds.

What is BIS Certification for Furniture?

The government's Bureau of Indian Standards Certification enables consumers and manufacturers to communicate in terms of quality, safety, and reliability parameters. A bill to this effect was introduced in Parliament in 1986. BIS ISI marking under the relevant IS number is required for certain types of furniture. It ensures that the physical and chemical qualities of the finished product are of the best possible quality. BIS certification makes the product more popular and marketable, especially in regulated industries, and supports industries nationwide. The Indian Standard is a mandatory rule for furniture in India. 

Indian Standard to be followed under the Indian Standard for Furniture (2025) QCO

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark of conformity, released under a license held by Scheme I of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, will be on the covered goods under the QCO. Furniture designed specifically for export is exempt from this order.

Micro and small enterprises, as classified in clauses (h) and (m) of Section 2 of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, are exempt for 18 months from the issue date of this notification.

Companies registered on the Ministry of MSME's Udyam Portal with a turnover of not more than ₹2 crores during the last financial year (audited by a chartered accountant) and an investment of not more than 25 lakhs in equipment and machinery would be permanently exempted from this clause.

Check BIS Quality Control Order (QCO) for Furniture Products 

Manufacturers can import not more than 500 kg annually for R&D if they meet the following criteria:

1. They cannot be marketed.
2. They must be scrapped upon usage.
3. They must be updated and reported to the Central Government whenever requested.

Check: Is BIS certificate required for import?

The stock produced or imported before the enforcement of the order may be marketed for six months, subject to the below conditions:

1. The producer holds a BIS certificate or makes an application before enforcement.
2. BIS has been notified of the stock available.

Compulsory Furniture under the Bureau of Indian Standards Certification

The following furniture must comply with the QCO requirements:

1. BIS Certification for Work Chair - IS 17631
2. BIS Certification for General-purpose chairs and stools -IS 17632
3. BIS Certification for Tables and desks - IS 17633
4. BIS Certification for Storage units - IS 17634
5. BIS Certification for Beds - IS 17635
6. BIS Certification for Bunk beds - IS 17636

ISI Mark Certification  Process for Furniture Products

Getting BIS ISI certification for your products is simple, and you can do so by following the below steps:

1. Identification of Applicable Standards: Determine what IS applies to your product. You can do this in a jiffy by checking the Bureau of Indian Standards website and scrolling through the ready table. Once you have determined your IS, select the latest published QCO. This paper contains new guidelines and requirements.

2. Product and Supporting Documentation: Once step 1 is completed, fill in all the product details, such as the company name, manufacturing process, etc. Also, ensure that all the required documentation and ancillary technical documents (such as test reports) are uploaded online through manakonline.com.

3. Background Verification and Inspection: Your documents submitted will be subjected to background verification by BIS officials. Subsequently, your factory will be inspected by a BIS inspector to ensure that the manufacturing process meets the standards.

4. Testing: The commodities will be tested to identify their different qualities, composition, and other specifications so that they conform to the standards and laws of the era. The furniture's durability, strength, purity, and other requirements will be quantified through testing.

5. BIS Certificate Award: Upon passing all these tests, a signed certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards will be given. An ISI mark may also be awarded and utilized as an official mark on products conforming to national standards.

6. Monitoring and Surveillance: BIS controls by undertaking factory surprise inspections to implement long-term conformity. Product examination and random inspection are also conducted to ascertain long-term conformity with Indian Standards.

7. Renewal: BIS certification has to be renewed after some time; it is not a one-off job. The license becomes outdated after one to five years. You have to apply for renewal before the expiry of the permit. You must submit the necessary documents and be inspected to retain your BIS certification.

Check BIS Certification Process for Indian Manufacturer

Check BIS Certification process for foreign Manufacturer

Benefits of BIS Certification for Furniture

To understand the advantages of obtaining the BIS certificate, let us think about the following points:

1. Protection of customers: The consumer's interest has to be ensured through certification. This reduces the likelihood of accidents due to dangerous or defective products and guarantees that the products supplied are of the desired level. The dialogue informs the producers and enacts these standards to make the product safe and trustworthy.

2. Legal Compliance: Certain products must be BIS certified before being sold in India. Most manufacturers must comply with BIS standards, or else they will be penalized and fined for removing their products from the market. Adherence to these guidelines helps firms become authentic and escape expensive lawsuits.

3. Enhanced Quality of the Product: Certification of furniture enhances product quality and safety. BIS standards improve and uniformize the quality of production by ensuring producers follow a pre-set standard. This enhances confidence in most stakeholders in the country and forces some firms to hire consultants to meet these standards.

4. Customer Trust Building: When a product is ISI-marked, the customer trusts that it is safe and reliable. The customers are brand loyal and buy certified products over non-certified products, so the mark reflects trust. Experts observe that Indian companies remain so with such trust by adhering to set protocols.

5. Removal of trade barriers: Indian manufacturers desiring to export their products may need BIS certification. Most countries consider BIS a quality assurance that can effectively penetrate the target market. With the help of BIS experts, companies can securely navigate domestic and international regulations and minimize trade barriers.

6. Ecological Responsibilities: Green industrial standards are also crucial to BIS. Environmental responsibility is incorporated in several BIS standards to enable products to have the smallest possible ecological footprint. Indian specialists are tasked with ensuring companies adhere to sustainable operations to meet international environmental requirements.

Conclusion

A BIS certificate makes manufacturers stand out and improves their relations with clients. There are a few points to keep in mind before acquiring BIS accreditation. For instance, there is a need to know the applicable BIS standards for various pieces of furniture before subjecting the product to testing at an accredited lab. This shall be done after presenting the required documents, applying to BIS, and conducting a factory audit. Therefore, certification ensures the product complies with safety and quality standards, promotes consumer confidence, and conforms to the provisions of the law under the Quality Control Order (QCO), leading to market growth.