What is the ISI mark and all about it?

ISI is an authoritative body that monitors and maintains the standards required for manufacturing any product. It is used as a surety mark by the government body regarding the quality.

What is an ISI mark?

Due to a surge in consumer awareness, the ISI mark has an intangible value. Before discussing the details about the ISI mark, the full form is the Indian Standards Institute. It is an authoritative body established for monitoring and maintaining the standards required for manufacturing any product. 

Since the mid-80s, the socio-economic climate of the country has changed from independence, initiating the demand to set up a well-organized body. Therefore, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) established ISI. The “ISI mark" products denote that the product meets the quality standards prescribed by the government.

Who can use the ISI mark? 

The ISI mark is used as a surety mark by the government body regarding the quality. BIS grants product certification voluntarily. Any manufacturer who wishes to create confidence about their product in the consumer's mind can apply for product certification in any of the two ways:

• Submission of an application at the nearest BIS office to assess at the manufacturer level, the capacity of the factory to produce products following the standards prescribed for the type of product. The samples are tested at the factory and outside. If the analysis is adequate to meet the standard, a license is bestowed, and the manufacturer can operate the coveted ISI mark.


• The manufacturer furnishes test analysis to BIS after voluntarily testing in the laboratory of the bureau and obtains the essential papers certifying independently. BIS is considered to inspect the integrity of the notices within a month and award a license for the use of the ISI mark.

Though the ISI mark is voluntary, it is mandatory for essential goods such as health and packed food products.

Are there criteria for all products?

In the present time, you will see ISI marks on almost all products; even while listing the products online, some manufacturers upload a zoomed image of the ISI mark in PNG format. 

Generally, there are 16 classes, including packaged water, food, textiles, plastic products, automobile components, and electronics. If anyone wants to add a new category to the current list, they can apply for it. There are 19,000 measures prescribed for goods across these 16 categories. 

For example, there is a benchmark for health standards of the packed Bhujiya, silver foil used in sweets, the leathers used for belts and bags, etc. In other words, there is a criterion for nearly every product.

An authoritative body, Certification Advisory Committee, involves people from different sectors such as manufacturers, government agents, consumers, industry associations, etc. exists under BIS to recommend policies and formulation of standards on different products. 

What if the manufacturer provides a sub-standard product even after obtaining an ISI mark?

Selling sub-standard products even after obtaining an ISI mark is an offence, which can be filed a complaint against.

A person can register a complaint about an ISI mark product online on their site.