BIS FMCS Goes Fully Online from 1st June 2026: What Every Foreign Manufacturer Must Know
From 1 June 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) accepts applications under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) only through its online portal, Manakonline. Paper and courier applications were accepted only up to 31 May 2026. For overseas factories planning to sell ISI-marked products in India, this changes how you apply — but not what BIS expects from you. This guide explains what changed, what did not, and how to prepare a clean online application.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Up to 31 May 2026 | Last day BIS accepted offline (hard-copy) FMCS applications |
| From 1 June 2026 | New FMCS applications for grant of licence accepted only on Manakonline |
| After grant | Licence fee, advance minimum marking fee, agreement, indemnity bond and a USD 10,000 performance bank guarantee are required |
What Has Changed — and What Has Not
What changed
- The filing channel: applications, documents, fee payment and status tracking move to Manakonline
- Applicants can save drafts, preview the application and track progress online
- Incomplete uploads or unpaid fees now show up immediately as blockers in the portal
What did not change
- The technical requirements: the product must conform to the applicable Indian Standard named in the Quality Control Order
- The factory inspection by BIS officers and drawal of samples for independent testing
- The need for an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) resident in India
- Post-grant obligations: licence fee, marking fee, agreement, indemnity bond and the performance bank guarantee
In short, going online removes courier delays and paperwork errors, but it is not an automatic or faster approval. Delays caused by incomplete applications remain the applicant’s responsibility.
Who Is Affected?
- New applicants — any overseas factory applying for an ISI licence from 1 June 2026
- Factories with rejected or returned files — resubmissions are now made online
- Existing FMCS licensees — check the current BIS process for post-licence actions such as inclusion of new models, renewals and amendments, which are increasingly handled online as well
FMCS in Brief
FMCS is the route through which a manufacturer located outside India obtains a BIS licence to use the ISI mark. The licence is granted to the manufacturer for a specific factory and product, not to the Indian importer. BIS initially grants an FMCS licence for one to two years, renewable for up to five years, after verifying the factory’s manufacturing and testing set-up and testing samples. Read our full BIS FMCS service guide for the complete process.
How to File an FMCS Application Online
- Confirm the standard and scheme — check the Quality Control Order and the current edition of the Indian Standard for every model.
- Create the manufacturer’s account on Manakonline using the legal name and factory address exactly as on the business licence.
- Nominate the AIR — an Indian resident who accepts responsibility for compliance connected with the licence.
- Enter factory and quality-control details — manufacturing process, in-house test equipment, calibration status and quality-control plan.
- Upload documents in English (or with certified translations).
- Pay the application fee online and submit.
- Respond to BIS queries promptly through the portal.
- Prepare for the factory inspection and sample drawal; samples are tested independently.
- On approval, pay the licence and marking fees, sign the agreement and indemnity bond, and furnish the USD 10,000 performance bank guarantee through a bank with an RBI-approved branch in India.
Documents to Prepare Before You Start
- Business licence or certificate of incorporation of the manufacturer, with English translation
- Factory address proof, layout and manufacturing process flow chart
- List of in-house test equipment with valid calibration certificates
- Quality-control and testing plan for the product
- Trademark registration or brand authorisation
- AIR nomination documents and undertakings
- Product specifications and label/marking artwork
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying in the name of a trading company instead of the actual manufacturer
- Using an outdated edition of the Indian Standard for testing or the QC plan
- Uploading documents that do not match each other (names, addresses, model numbers)
- Leaving fee payments or document uploads incomplete, which stalls the file
- Nominating an AIR who is not ready to respond to BIS quickly
Frequently Asked Questions
Can FMCS applications still be sent by post or courier?
No. From 1 June 2026, FMCS applications are accepted only through Manakonline. Offline applications were accepted up to 31 May 2026.
Has the FMCS process itself changed?
No. Only the filing channel changed. The Indian Standard, factory inspection, sample testing, AIR requirement and post-grant obligations remain the same.
Is an Authorised Indian Representative still required?
Yes. Every foreign manufacturer must nominate an AIR resident in India, who accepts responsibility for compliance connected with the licence.
Does online filing make approval faster?
It removes courier time and reduces paperwork errors, but approval still depends on a complete file, test results and the factory inspection. It is not automatic approval.
What happens after the licence is granted?
The manufacturer pays the licence fee and advance minimum marking fee, signs an agreement and indemnity bond, and furnishes a performance bank guarantee of USD 10,000.
Need help filing on Manakonline? PCN Global India Corporation prepares FMCS applications, acts as or arranges your AIR, and supports the factory inspection. See our BIS FMCS service, BIS for Chinese manufacturers and India market access pages, or call +91 80109 05029.
Related Compliance Guides
Related Guides
- Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) for BIS Certification
- BIS FMCS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers Selling in India
- BIS ISI Certification for Gypsum Based Building Materials in India
Need expert help? See our BIS FMCS certification for foreign manufacturers.
