The Government of India has made BIS Certification mandatory for specified Gypsum Based Building Materials through the Gypsum Based Building Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
The objective of this Quality Control Order (QCO) is to ensure that gypsum-based construction materials available in the Indian market comply with Indian Standards, thereby improving product quality, safety, durability, and consumer confidence.
From the applicable implementation date, manufacturers cannot manufacture, sell, import, distribute, or store the notified products without a valid BIS licence and Standard Mark under Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
What is the Gypsum Based Building Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024?
The Gypsum Based Building Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024 was notified on 6 March 2024 and published in the Official Gazette on 7 March 2024.
It mandates that specified gypsum-based building materials shall conform to the applicable Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark under a valid BIS licence issued under Scheme-I.
Implementation Date
The implementation timeline is as follows:
- Notification Date: 6 March 2024
- Official Gazette Publication: 7 March 2024
- General Implementation Date: 6 September 2024 (six months after publication)
- Small Enterprises: Exempt up to 9 months from publication
- Micro Enterprises: Exempt up to 12 months from publication
Products Covered under the QCO
The following gypsum-based building materials are covered:
| Product | Applicable Indian Standard |
| Gypsum Plaster Boards | IS 2095 (Part 1):2011 |
| Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum Panels | IS 17400:2021 |
| Coated/Laminated Gypsum Plaster Boards | IS 2095 (Part 2):2022 |
| Reinforced Gypsum Plaster Boards & Ceiling Tiles | IS 2095 (Part 3):2022 |
The latest version of these Indian Standards, including amendments issued by BIS, will apply.
Who is Required to Obtain BIS Certification?
The following entities must obtain a BIS licence before manufacturing or importing covered products for the Indian market:
- Indian manufacturers
- Foreign manufacturers exporting to India
- Importers sourcing products from overseas manufacturers (through the manufacturer’s BIS licence)
- Brand owners marketing covered products
- OEM manufacturers producing for other brands
The BIS licence is always granted to the manufacturer, not to traders or distributors.
Who is Exempt?
The following are exempt:
- Products manufactured exclusively for export.
- Small enterprises during the initial 9-month exemption period.
- Micro enterprises during the initial 12-month exemption period.
Purchase Order Based Exemption (2026 Update)
The Government issued an additional exemption order in February 2026.
For Gypsum Based Building Materials, imports may be exempt where:
- the Purchase Order was issued before the implementation date, and
- the Bill of Lading and Bill of Entry are dated within 180 days from the implementation date.
The importer must submit copies of the Purchase Order, Bill of Lading, Bill of Entry, and supporting documents to BIS within 7 days of clearance of the consignment.
BIS Certification Procedure
The certification process generally involves:
Step 1 – Identify Applicable Standard
Determine the correct IS Standard applicable to your product.
Step 2 – Prepare Documentation
Collect technical documents, manufacturing details, quality control records, and test information.
Step 3 – Product Testing
Products are tested in a BIS-recognized laboratory against the applicable Indian Standard.
Step 4 – Submit BIS Application
Submit the application through the BIS online portal along with the required documents and test reports.
Step 5 – Factory Inspection
BIS officers inspect the manufacturing facility to verify production capability, quality systems, laboratory facilities, and compliance.
Step 6 – Grant of Licence
If all requirements are satisfied, BIS grants the licence under Scheme-I.
Step 7 – Use of Standard Mark
The manufacturer can begin using the ISI Standard Mark on compliant products.
Documents Required
Typically, BIS requires:
- Company registration documents
- Factory licence
- Manufacturing process flow
- List of manufacturing machinery
- Internal laboratory details
- Calibration certificates
- Quality control plan
- Product drawings/specifications
- Raw material details
- Test reports
- Authorized signatory documents
- Trademark authorization (if applicable)
Timeline
Approximate timelines are:
- Documentation Preparation: 1–2 weeks
- Product Testing: 2–4 weeks
- BIS Scrutiny & Inspection: 4–8 weeks
- Licence Grant: 2–4 weeks after successful inspection
The actual timeline depends on testing, document completeness, and BIS processing.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply may result in:
- Prohibition on manufacture or sale
- Import restrictions
- Product seizure
- Legal action under the BIS Act, 2016
- Monetary penalties and prosecution as applicable under the Act.
How Kar Parivartan Can Help
Kar Parivartan provides complete end-to-end BIS consultancy services, including:
- Product applicability assessment
- Identification of relevant IS standards
- Documentation support
- Laboratory testing coordination
- BIS application filing
- Factory inspection preparation
- Query management
- Licence grant assistance
- Renewal and inclusion of additional models
Need help with india bis certification for gypsum-based products? Kar Parivartan’s dedicated bis services team supports the entire process from applicability assessment to licence grant.
FAQs
Is BIS Certification mandatory for gypsum boards?
Yes. Covered gypsum-based building materials must comply with the Gypsum Based Building Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2024.
Which BIS scheme applies?
Scheme-I under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
Can traders obtain a BIS licence?
No. The licence is issued only to the manufacturer.
Are imported products covered?
Yes. Imported products must also comply with the applicable BIS requirements.
Are export products covered?
No. Goods manufactured exclusively for export are exempt.
Is factory inspection mandatory?
Yes. BIS normally conducts a factory inspection before granting the licence.
Can one licence cover multiple products?
Only if they fall within the same scope and satisfy BIS requirements; otherwise, separate licences may be required.
What happens if products are sold without BIS certification?
The products may be subject to enforcement action, including prohibition, seizure, penalties, and prosecution under the BIS Act.
What is the 2026 Purchase Order exemption?
It provides a limited exemption for certain imports where the Purchase Order predates the QCO implementation and shipping documents fall within the prescribed 180-day window, subject to documentary conditions.
