Animal Feed QCO 2026: BIS Certification Now Mandatory for Mineral Mixtures, DCP and Cattle Licks
The Government of India has made BIS certification for animal feed ingredients compulsory. Under the Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients (Quality Control) Order, 2026, three widely used livestock nutrition products must carry the ISI mark before they can be sold in India. Large manufacturers have until 1 April 2027 to comply.
If you manufacture, import or trade cattle mineral mixtures, feed-grade dicalcium phosphate or cattle salt licks, this guide explains what changed, who is covered and how to get your BIS licence on time.
1. What Is the Animal Feeds and Feed Ingredients QCO 2026?
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying issued the order as S.O. 5576(E) on 7 October 2026. It was published in the Gazette of India on 12 October 2026 and came into force the same day.
The order is made under Section 16 of the BIS Act, 2016. It requires covered products to conform to the listed Indian Standards and bear the Standard Mark under a BIS licence, as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. In simple terms: ISI mark certification is now mandatory.
2. Products Covered Under the Animal Feed QCO
| S.No. | Product | Indian Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mineral mixtures for supplementing cattle feeds | IS 1664 |
| 2 | Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP), animal feed grade | IS 5470 |
| 3 | Common salt and cattle licks for animal consumption | IS 920 |
The latest version of each standard, including amendments notified by BIS, will apply. Note that the 2024 draft also listed cottonseed and mustard oilcakes. The final 2026 order covers only the three products above.
3. Compliance Deadlines for Manufacturers and MSMEs
The order gives micro and small enterprises extra time, as defined under the MSMED Act, 2006.
| Enterprise type | Last date to comply |
|---|---|
| Large and medium enterprises | 1 April 2027 |
| Small enterprises | 1 July 2027 |
| Micro enterprises | 1 October 2027 |
After these dates, covered products without a valid BIS licence and ISI mark cannot be manufactured, imported, stored, sold or distributed in India. Keep your Udyam registration ready if you plan to claim the MSME timeline.
4. Who Needs BIS Certification Under This Order?
- Domestic manufacturers of cattle mineral mixtures, feed-grade DCP and cattle licks
- Foreign manufacturers exporting these products to India (via the BIS FMCS scheme)
- Brand owners using contract manufacturers — the licence must be held for the actual manufacturing unit
- Dairy cooperatives and feed plants that produce their own mineral mixtures for sale
Export exemption: Goods made only for export are outside the scope of this order.
5. BIS Certification Process for Animal Feed Products
- Gap check — Compare your product and in-house testing with IS 1664, IS 5470 or IS 920.
- Set up in-house lab — BIS expects the unit to test routine parameters as per the scheme of inspection and testing.
- Apply online — File on the BIS Manak Online portal with documents and fees.
- Factory inspection — A BIS officer audits the plant, process control and lab, and draws samples.
- Sample testing — Samples are tested in a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory.
- Licence grant — On successful audit and test reports, BIS grants the licence and you can apply the ISI mark with the CM/L number.
Foreign manufacturers follow the same Scheme-I route under FMCS and must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR).
6. Documents Required
- Manufacturing unit registration and address proof
- Process flow chart and list of manufacturing machinery
- List of in-house testing equipment with calibration certificates
- Quality control in-charge details and qualifications
- Raw material sources and outsourced process details (if any)
- MSME/Udyam certificate (to claim relaxed timelines or fee concessions)
- AIR documents for foreign manufacturers
7. Penalty for Non-Compliance
BIS is the certifying and enforcing authority. Contravention is punishable under the BIS Act, 2016, which provides for imprisonment of up to two years and/or fines starting at ₹2 lakh, and higher for repeat offences. Non-certified stock can also be seized.
8. Why Start Now?
Six months is short for a first-time licence. In-house lab setup, calibration, inspection slots and lab testing all take time. Units that apply early avoid a last-minute rush at BIS and keep supply to dairy and feed buyers uninterrupted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Under the Animal Feeds QCO 2026, mineral mixtures for supplementing cattle feeds must meet IS 1664 and carry the ISI mark.
1 April 2027 for large and medium units, 1 July 2027 for small units and 1 October 2027 for micro units.
No. Goods meant only for export are exempt.
Yes, through the BIS FMCS scheme with an Authorised Indian Representative.
The Bureau of Indian Standards.
Get BIS Certification for Animal Feed with PCN India Global
PCN India Global helps feed manufacturers and importers secure ISI licences under IS 1664, IS 5470 and IS 920 — from gap analysis and lab setup to BIS inspection and licence grant. Explore our BIS ISI certification services or contact our team.
Call / WhatsApp: +91 80109 05029 | Email: bdm@pcnindiaglobal.com
