Bureau of Indian Standards, Full Form, Headquarters, Roles and Activities

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standards Body of India. BIS full form is Bureau of Indian Standards. It ensures quality, safety, certification, hallmarking, and supports consumer protection, trade, and industrial growth.

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July 08, 2025

Bureau of Indian Standards, Full Form, Headquarters, Roles and Activities

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) serves as the National Standards Body of India, operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. Established under the BIS Act, 2016, BIS is the authoritative body responsible for the harmonious development of activities related to standardisation, quality certification, marking of goods, and the protection of consumers’ interests. The transformation from the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) to BIS marked a significant step towards ensuring reliable and safe products for Indian consumers.

Bureau of Indian Standards

The Bureau of Indian Standards was formed to develop and implement Indian Standards across sectors, thereby promoting quality assurance, consumer safety, and industrial growth. BIS helps minimise health hazards, ensures reliable product quality, and supports the government’s initiatives such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Ease of Doing Business.

Bureau of Indian Standards Overview
Particulars Details
Full Form Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
Established 1 April 1987 (under BIS Act, 1986); Latest Act enforced on 12 October 2017
Parent Ministry Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Headquarters Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002
Regional Offices Kolkata (East), Mumbai (West), Chennai (South), Chandigarh (North), Delhi (Central)
Total Branch Offices More than 20 across major Indian cities
BIS Chairman 2025 Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Primary Roles and Functions Standards formulation, certification, hallmarking, testing, training, consumer affairs
Key Activities Product Certification, Compulsory Registration Scheme, Hallmarking, Foreign Certification
International Affiliations ISO, IEC, SARSO, WTO-TBT Enquiry Point
Legislative Framework BIS Act, 2016
Standards Coverage 14 Division Councils including Civil, Mechanical, Electronics, Food, Medical, Textile etc.
Certification Types ISI Mark (Product Certification), Hallmark (Jewellery), FMCS (Foreign Certification Scheme)
Testing Infrastructure 8 BIS Laboratories + NABL Accredited Labs across India
Training Arm National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS)
Key Objectives Promote quality, consumer safety, environmental protection, export promotion

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BIS Full Form

The BIS full form stands for Bureau of Indian Standards. As the National Standards Body of India, BIS is entrusted with the task of standardisation, quality assurance, and conformity assessment across various sectors. The name reflects its core function—ensuring that goods and services in India meet defined quality benchmarks. 

The Bureau of Indian Standards operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and its scope includes everything from product certification to lab testing, hallmarking, training, and consumer engagement.

Also Read: Bis Introduces Standard For Agri By-Product Utensils

Bureau of Indian Standards Origin and Evolution

The journey of BIS began with the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), formed on 6 January 1947. Initially focused solely on standardisation, ISI introduced the Certification Marks Scheme in 1955 to extend its services to consumers. The Bureau of Indian Standards was formally established on 1 April 1987, under the BIS Act of 1986, succeeding ISI. The BIS Act, 2016, further expanded its mandate, aligning it with modern global practices.

BIS Headquarters and Infrastructure

The Bureau of Indian Standards headquarters is located at Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002. Additionally, BIS operates five regional offices in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, and Delhi, along with more than 20 branch offices in cities like Bangalore, Patna, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and others. These serve as vital nodes for certification services, public awareness, and industry coordination.

Bureau of Indian Standards Roles and Functions

The Bureau of Indian Standards’ roles and functions are comprehensive and extend across various sectors. Key functions include:

  • Standards Formulation: Developing Indian Standards across 14 departments.
  • Product Certification: Ensuring product conformity to Indian Standards.
  • Laboratory Services: Conducting testing via eight BIS labs and NABL-accredited facilities.
  • Hallmarking Scheme: Certifying the purity of gold and silver jewellery.
  • Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme: Certifying overseas products for Indian markets.
  • Compulsory Registration Scheme: Mandating registration for electronic goods.
  • Training Services: Offering technical training through the National Institute of Training for Standardisation (NITS).
  • Consumer Affairs & Promotional Activities: Conducting awareness programs and handling grievances.

Bureau of Indian Standards Objectives and Activities

The core Bureau of Indian Standards objectives and activities revolve around:

  • Standardisation: Establishing Indian Standards for various sectors.
  • Certification: Ensuring product conformity through standard marks.
  • Consumer Protection: Safeguarding consumers from substandard goods.
  • Trade Facilitation: Harmonising Indian standards with international norms.
  • Training and Development: Providing skill development through the National Institute of Training for Standardisation (NITS).
  • Public Awareness: Promoting knowledge about standards and quality.

BIS also aims to align Indian standards with international norms to facilitate global trade.

BIS Standards List and Coverage

The BIS standards list spans a wide range of industries and sectors, grouped under the following 14 divisions:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Food & Agriculture
  • Electronics & IT
  • Electro-technical
  • Chemicals
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Textile
  • Transport Engineering
  • Medical Equipment
  • Petroleum, Coal & Related Products
  • Water Resources
  • Production & General Engineering
  • General Engineering
  • Management Systems

Each area is governed by Division Councils and Sectional Committees, ensuring thorough and relevant standardisation across industries, which draft, review, and publish standards relevant to their field.

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Product Certification and Compulsory Registration

The Product Certification Scheme grants the ISI Mark to products conforming to Indian Standards. Though voluntary, the Central Government mandates BIS certification for specific goods to safeguard public health, environmental safety, and national security. Such products are governed under Quality Control Orders (QCOs).

The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) applies primarily to electronics and IT goods, as per MeitY’s mandate, with a simplified process called Declaration of Conformity.

Hallmarking Scheme

The Hallmarking Scheme, initiated in 2000 for gold and extended in 2005 for silver jewellery, ensures the purity and fineness of precious metal articles. Products are tested at BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centres, and jewellers must be registered with BIS to sell hallmarked items.

Bureau of Indian Standards Chairman

As of 2025, the BIS chairman 2025 is Shri Pralhad Joshi, the Hon’ble Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

Bureau of Indian Standards

Source: Bis.gov.in

The Bureau operates under his leadership, supported by 25 members from various government departments, industries, research institutions, and consumer organisations.

BIS Laboratories and Testing Infrastructure

BIS operates 8 laboratories nationwide for product testing and conformity assessment:

  • Central Laboratory (Sahibabad)
  • Regional Labs in Mumbai, Mohali, Kolkata, Chennai
  • Branch Labs in Bangalore, Patna, Guwahati

These labs ensure thorough testing and facilitate certification processes.

International Participation and Cooperation

BIS plays a significant role on the global stage:

  • It is a founding member of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and participates in over 100 technical committees.
  • It collaborates with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and engages in regional cooperation under SARSO (South Asian Regional Standards Organisation).
  • It acts as India’s WTO-TBT Enquiry Point for the World Trade Organisation’s Technical Barriers to Trade.

Training, Publicity, and Consumer Outreach

To raise awareness about quality standards, BIS actively organises:

  • Consumer Awareness Programs: Educating end-users on certified goods.
  • Industry Awareness Programs: Promoting standardisation among manufacturers.
  • Educational Utilisation of Standards Programs: Engaging students and educators on the benefits of standardisation.
  • Grievance Redressal: A dedicated portal to address consumer complaints efficiently.

Training Services

The National Institute of Training for Standardisation (NITS) imparts training to technical professionals, industry representatives, and officials from developing countries. Training modules focus on standardisation, conformity assessment, and management systems.

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Conclusion

The Bureau of Indian Standards continues to serve as a cornerstone of India’s quality infrastructure, ensuring safety, reliability, and excellence in goods and services. With its wide mandate covering standardisation, certification, testing, and public awareness, BIS plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem, enhancing consumer trust, and facilitating global trade. As India moves towards a robust and self-reliant economy, the Bureau of Indian Standards remains at the forefront of enabling quality and innovation.

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Bureau of Indian Standards FAQs

The Bureau of Indian Standards is India’s national standards body, responsible for standardization, certification, and quality assurance.

The BIS full form is Bureau of Indian Standards, established under the BIS Act, 2016.

The Bureau of Indian Standards headquarters is located at Manak Bhavan, New Delhi.

BIS formulates standards, certifies products, conducts testing, and promotes consumer awareness across industries.

Its objectives include promoting standardisation, ensuring product safety, supporting trade, and enhancing consumer protection.

The BIS standards list is available on the official BIS website, covering over 21,000 Indian Standards across 14 sectors.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
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