BIS ISI Certification for Marine Plywood: IS 710:2010 Under the Plywood QCO 2024
Marine plywood is now a regulated product in India. Under the Plywood and Wooden Flush Door Shutters (Quality Control) Order, 2024, marine plywood must conform to IS 710:2010 and carry the ISI mark under a BIS licence before it can be made, imported, sold or stocked in India. This guide explains what the standard covers, who needs the licence, and how to get it without delays.
What IS 710:2010 Covers
IS 710:2010 is the Indian Standard for marine plywood: plywood bonded with boiling-water-proof (BWP) synthetic resin and made from selected hardwood veneers for use in boats, ship interiors, docks and other high-moisture or wet applications. The standard sets requirements for:
- Species and quality of face, core and cross-band veneers
- Type of adhesive and bond quality after boiling-water exposure
- Moisture content, tensile strength and dimensional tolerances
- Permissible defects, finish and marking on each sheet
Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Marine Plywood?
Yes. The Plywood QCO 2024 brought plywood for general purposes (IS 303), marine plywood (IS 710), concrete-shuttering plywood (IS 4990) and wooden flush door shutters (IS 2202 Part 1) under compulsory ISI certification. After a one-year deferment, enforcement began on 28 February 2025 for large units, followed by 28 May 2025 for small and 28 August 2025 for micro enterprises. Every one of these dates has now passed, so uncertified marine plywood cannot legally enter the Indian market. Read our complete QCO guide for how enforcement works at customs and retail.
Who Needs the Licence
- Indian manufacturers of marine-grade or BWP plywood, under the domestic ISI scheme.
- Foreign manufacturers exporting to India, through the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), with an Authorised Indian Representative.
- Importers and traders cannot hold the licence themselves. They must buy from a licensed factory.
Step-by-Step Certification Process
- Gap analysis of resin system, veneer sourcing and in-house testing against IS 710:2010.
- Set up the factory lab for routine tests such as moisture content, glue shear and dimensions.
- Test samples at a BIS-recognised laboratory.
- Apply on Manak Online with test reports, the scheme of testing and inspection (STI) compliance, and factory documents.
- Factory audit by a BIS officer, including sample drawal for independent testing.
- Licence grant and the right to use the Standard Mark with the CM/L number on every sheet.
Documents Required
- Factory registration, layout and process flow chart
- List of manufacturing machinery and test equipment, with calibration certificates
- Resin and veneer supplier details
- QC personnel details and in-house test records
- For FMCS: AIR nomination, undertaking and an apostilled business licence
Typical Timeline
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Gap analysis & document prep | 1–2 weeks |
| Sample testing at BIS-recognised lab | 2–4 weeks |
| Application on Manak Online & scrutiny | 1–2 weeks |
| Factory inspection & sample drawal | 2–4 weeks |
| Grant of licence | 2–4 weeks after a clean audit |
Durations are indicative and depend on sample readiness, lab queues and audit scheduling. See our BIS certification cost and timeline breakdown for fee heads.
Common Mistakes That Delay Approval
- Testing a lower-grade (MR) board and assuming it covers BWP marine grade
- No in-house boiling-water bond test facility, which is required for routine control
- Incorrect marking: missing the IS number, grade, thickness or CM/L number on the sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ISI mark mandatory for marine plywood in India?
Yes. Under the Plywood and Wooden Flush Door Shutters (Quality Control) Order, 2024, marine plywood must conform to IS 710:2010 and carry the ISI mark. Enforcement started on 28 February 2025 for large units, with later dates for small and micro units.
Which Indian Standard applies to marine plywood?
IS 710:2010, the Indian Standard specification for marine plywood bonded with boiling-water-proof synthetic resin.
Can a foreign plywood manufacturer get BIS certification?
Yes. Foreign manufacturers apply under the BIS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), appoint an Authorised Indian Representative, and undergo a factory audit by BIS.
Does one licence cover IS 303 and IS 710 plywood?
No. Each Indian Standard needs its own licence, so general-purpose plywood (IS 303) and marine plywood (IS 710) are licensed separately, even when they come from the same factory.
Get Certified with PCN India Global
PCN India Global handles BIS ISI mark certification end to end for Indian and foreign manufacturers: gap analysis, test planning at BIS-recognised labs, documentation, factory audit preparation, and post-licence surveillance. Call +91 80109 05029 or WhatsApp us to get a product-specific checklist and timeline.
