What is a BIS-recognised laboratory, and why does it matter for BIS registration?

BIS cannot test every product in its own labs. It runs eight of its own^[1] and recognises outside labs under its Laboratory Recognition Scheme (LRS), made under section 13(4) of the BIS Act 2016 and Rule 32 of the BIS Rules 2018^[1].

Recognition is for named Indian Standards, not for "electronics" in general. A lab may be recognised for IS 13252 (Part 1) and not for IS 16046, or recognised for a standard but excluded from some of its clauses^[5]. Each recognised lab gets an OSL code^[1].

Every manufacturer applying under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. BIS accepts CRS test reports only from labs set up, run or recognised by BIS for the product (including Group-2 labs), government labs BIS has empanelled, and any other labs its Executive Committee approves^[4]. Foreign brands and Indian importers are in the same position, because the CRS licence is issued to the factory^[7].

You pick a lab recognised for your product's standard on BIS's LIMS portal, which lists labs by IS number^[6]. You raise an online test request on the CRS portal and send the sample with it within 60 days^[3]. Labs accept CRS samples only with that online request^[8].

The lab tests the worst-case model of each series and must issue the report within 7 days of finishing^[1]. You then have 90 days from issue to file with BIS^[4]. A step-by-step guide is on BIS CRS test labs.

Search LIMS for labs recognised for your Indian Standard, raise a test request on the CRS portal, ship the sample within 60 days, and file the report with BIS within 90 days of issue.

Charges vary widely by lab and standard. Each lab declares its charges at recognition, and they stay fixed for three years unless the standard changes^[1]. BIS LIMS data from 1 November 2026:

• Accreditation: ISO/IEC 17025 from a full member of ILAC or APAC, covering the standard's test parameters^[1].
• Validity: three years per recognition, fee due within 14 days^[1].
• Lab fees to BIS: application fee Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000 by lab size, recognition fee Rs 60,000 or Rs 1,00,000 for up to 50 standards^[13].
• Prices to you: declared at recognition and fixed for three years unless the standard changes^[1]. On LIMS in November 2026, IS 13252 (Part 1) charges ranged from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2,00,000 excluding taxes^[5].
• Conduct: no agents or referral commissions, and lab staff cannot act as a foreign maker's AIR^[1].
• Foreign labs: allowed in principle with an Indian office or representative^[1], but none appear on BIS's October 2026 list of 444 labs^[2].

BIS publishes two lists. Group-1 is the list of recognised outside labs; the version dated 30 October 2026 has 444 entries, all in India, and its remarks column shows suspensions, deferments and revocations^[2]. Group-2 is a list of government labs of national repute whose facilities BIS uses, such as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre units^[14]. Both count as labs whose reports BIS accepts under CRS^[4]. For everyday electronics, importers use Group-1 private labs found on LIMS, where each listing shows the lab's charge, exclusions and recognition validity^[5].

Only BIS, BIS-recognised and BIS-empanelled labs count for CRS^[4]. Other regulators accept other labs, so one report rarely covers every approval.

Yes. Since 9 January 2024, parallel testing is a permanent, voluntary option for all CRO 2021 categories. Components and the end product can be tested together at BIS or recognised labs, but BIS grants licences in sequence and the maker bears the risk if a component fails^[19].

For critical components, BIS accepts the component's own Standard Mark if it is under a QCO or CRO. Otherwise it takes a report from a BIS-accepted lab, then CB, UL or VDE certificates, and finally testing within the equipment^[20]. This matters for products like power banks, where the cells need their own IS 16046 registration.

A factory wants CRS registration for a power bank range. Power banks are a CRS category^[21], and their cells fall under IS 16046.

1. Lab choice. LIMS shows 72 lab entries for IS 16046, charging Rs 37,500 to Rs 4,80,000 with a median of about Rs 80,000^[11]. The factory checks each shortlisted lab's exclusions and validity^[5].
2. Timing. It raises the test request and ships the sample within 60 days^[3]. Testing time depends on the lab's workload^[22], and the report must follow within 7 days of the test^[1].
3. Filing. It files within 90 days of the report date^[4] and pays the first year's processing fee of Rs 25,000, which is charged every year in advance^[23].
4. Budget. At median rates, testing plus the first year's processing fee is roughly Rs 1,05,000 before GST, lab taxes, the Rs 1,000 application and licence fees and any second test report. Model your case with the BIS CRS fee calculator and see BIS CRS registration cost.

All 444 entries on BIS's October 2026 Group-1 list are in Indian states or union territories^[2]. The scheme allows foreign labs with an Indian office or representative and a BIS agreement^[1], but in practice samples are shipped into India.

For city-by-city lists, see BIS labs in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru and Mumbai and Pune. Importing samples has its own rules; read importing samples for BIS testing.

Ask about scope, exclusions, price, timing and how the test request will be worded, because some details cannot be changed later.

• Is the whole standard in scope? LIMS shows clause exclusions per lab^[5]; an excluded clause means a second lab.
• Is the quoted price the declared LIMS price? Declared charges are fixed for three years^[1]. Labs may not pay referral commissions or use agents^[1], so be wary of middlemen quoting lab access.
• Are the models and brands right? Product category, models and brands in the test request cannot be changed at application^[24], and test report model numbers must match the request^[25].
• How will series models be added later? A supplementary report can add series models or a brand to an accepted original report^[20].
• How long will the remnants be kept? At least 3 months^[1], which matters if BIS questions a result.

Most CRS rejections trace back to these points; see CRS rejections.

• Suspended lab. Reports issued during a lab's suspension are not accepted^[10]. Check the Group-1 list remarks.
• Wrong scope. The lab is recognised, but not for your standard or clause^[5].
• Stale report. Reports over 90 days old at BIS receipt are refused^[4].
• Assuming a CB report is enough. A foreign certificate does not replace CRS testing in a recognised lab^[4].

These figures come straight from BIS documents and LIMS.

• Compulsory Registration Scheme: the scheme most lab reports feed into.
• Indian Standard: what each lab is recognised against.
• Authorised Indian Representative: lab staff may not take this role.
• Standard Mark: what a successful registration lets the factory print.

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