BIS Certification for Furniture in India: What the 2025 QCO Means for Buyers and Manufacturers

BIS Certification for Furniture in India (2025 QCO): Deadlines, Exemptions, and IS Standards

Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 makes BIS Standard Mark compulsory for beds, tables, desks, chairs, stools, and storage units. See Indian Standards, deadlines (Feb 14, 2026; Aug 14, 2026, for MSEs), exemptions, and compliance steps.

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BIS mandate: Standard Mark now compulsory on select furniture

Furniture Quality Control Order, 2025 requires that specified furniture sold in India must conform to the relevant Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark (ISI mark) under a valid BIS license (Scheme-I). This change is aimed at improving safety, durability, and consumer confidence. e gazette

Quick facts (at a glance)

• Law/Order: Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 — S.O. 801(E)

• Published: February 14, 2025 (Gazette)

• Enforcement for most enterprises: February 14, 2026 (12 months from publication)

• Extended start for micro & small enterprises: August 14, 2026 (18 months from publication) e gazette

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Covered products and Indian Standards (IS)

Under the QCO, these furniture categories are included:

Goods/Articles	Indian Standard (IS)	Title
Work chairs	IS 17631:2022	Work chairs — Specification
General-purpose chairs & stools	IS 17632:2022	General purpose chairs and stools
Tables & desks	IS 17633:2022	Tables and desks
Storage units	IS 17634:2022	Storage units
Beds	IS 17635:2022	Beds
Bunk beds	IS 17636:2022	Bunk beds
Note: Latest versions (with amendments) apply as notified by BIS. e gazette

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Compliance deadlines you can’t miss

Implementation is staggered by enterprise size:

Enterprise type	When the QCO applies
All enterprises other than micro & small	February 14, 2026
Micro & Small enterprises (as per MSME Act definitions)	August 14, 2026
These dates arise from the Gazette text: 12 months (general) and 18 months (micro & small) from the February 14, 2025, publication. e gazette

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Exemptions (read the fine print)

• Export-only: Goods manufactured domestically for export are outside the QCO’s scope.

• Grace period for MSEs: Micro & small enterprises get 18 months from publication before compliance becomes mandatory.

• Very-small Udyam-registered units: If registered on the Udyam portal and both conditions below are met, the order does not apply:

  • Investment in plant & machinery/equipment (original cost) ≤ ₹25 lakh, and

  • Turnover for the previous financial year ≤ ₹2 crore (CA-certified). e gazette

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What manufacturers and importers must do now

BIS Certification (Scheme-I) involves license grant and surveillance under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018:

1. Identify the applicable IS for your product(s) (see table above).

2. Apply for a BIS license under Scheme-I (ISI Mark Scheme). BIS

3. Get samples tested to the relevant IS (through BIS-recognized testing as per Scheme-I guidelines).

4. Undergo factory evaluation/inspection as part of license grant and surveillance. e gazette

5. Mark products with the Standard Mark only after license issuance and maintain quality systems for ongoing compliance. BIS

Tip for importers/foreign manufacturers: Use the appropriate BIS pathway (e.g., FMCS under Scheme-I) and plan for lead times for testing and factory assessment. BIS

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Buyer awareness: how to spot compliant furniture

• Look for the BIS Standard Mark (ISI mark) on the product/labeling and accompanying documents.

• Ask for the BIS license details (e.g., manufacturer name, model/variant matching the license scope).

• Check claims against the relevant IS number (IS 17631/32/33/34/35/36:2022 as applicable). BIS

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Pros and cons: what this means for the market

Positive impacts

• Safety & ergonomics: Standardized testing reduces risk of structural failures and poor ergonomics.

• Quality consistency: Uniform benchmarks across brands and price points.

• Trust & transparency: Easier for institutional buyers to compare like-for-like compliance.

Potential challenges

• Time to certify: Testing and factory inspection take planning; late starters risk stock disruptions.

• Cost pressure: Compliance investments may nudge prices upward in the short term, especially for small units.

• Model rationalization: Non-compliant SKUs may be phased out as firms align to IS requirements.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is the ISI mark mandatory for the listed furniture after the deadlines?
Yes. Products must conform to the relevant IS and bear the Standard Mark under a BIS license to be sold in India. e gazette

Q2: Do the deadlines differ for micro & small enterprises?
Yes. Enforcement starts August 14, 2026, for MSEs (vs February 14, 2026, for others). e gazette

Q3: Are export-only goods covered?
No. Goods manufactured domestically for export are excluded. e gazette

Q4: What about very-small Udyam-registered manufacturers?
If investment ≤ ₹25 lakh and turnover ≤ ₹2 crore (previous FY) and the unit is Udyam-registered, the order does not apply. e gazette

Q5: What’s involved in getting a BIS license?
Application under Scheme-I, laboratory testing, and a factory assessment, followed by ongoing surveillance after license grant. e gazette

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Action plan: stay compliant and stay competitive

• Start with a gap analysis against the applicable IS.

• Block lab and audit slots early to avoid last-minute bottlenecks.

• Update drawings, BOMs, and QC plans to reflect IS clauses.

• Train production & QA teams on test methods and acceptance criteria.

• Audit your supply chain (fasteners, boards, foams, mechanisms) to ensure upstream conformity.

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Conclusion: compliance is a growth lever, not just a checkbox

BIS furniture certification under the 2025 QCO raises the bar for safety and durability while giving buyers clearer signals of quality. Companies that act early can reduce risk, protect margins, and win trust as the market transitions to BIS-marked furniture.

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Sources & verification

• Official Gazette (S.O. 801(E)) — Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025: product list, commencement (12/18 months), exemptions (export, MSE grace, Udyam threshold), penalties, and the requirement to use the Standard Mark under a BIS license. e gazette

• BIS website — Scheme-I (ISI Mark Scheme) & product list mapping the furniture IS numbers to the Furniture QCO (2025): confirms standards and legal basis. BIS

• BIS product certification process & Scheme-I guidelines: confirms factory assessment/testing as part of license grant and surveillance. BISBIS

Disclaimer: This article is for general awareness only and is not legal advice. For specific cases, consult your compliance advisor or legal counsel.