With the rapid growth of India’s real estate, hospitality, education, healthcare, and corporate sectors, the demand for durable and safe furniture has increased significantly. Furniture products such as work chairs, General-Purpose Chairs & Stools, tables and desks, beds, bunk beds, storage units, and office workstations are used daily in homes, institutions, and commercial establishments. Since these products directly impact user safety, strength, and long-term usability, regulatory compliance has become essential for manufacturers and importers.
To ensure furniture products meet prescribed safety and performance standards, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made certification mandatory for notified furniture items under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025. This regulation requires manufacturers and importers to obtain BIS certification and affix the ISI Mark before selling or distributing applicable furniture products in the Indian market.
This certification ensures that only quality-compliant furniture is manufactured, imported, and sold across India.
WHAT IS BIS CERTIFICATION FOR FURNITURE?
BIS Certification for Furniture is granted under the ISI Mark Scheme (Scheme-I), which verifies that a product conforms to the relevant Indian Standard (IS). Each category of furniture has specific standards that define requirements related to strength, durability, structural stability, safety, and workmanship.
These standards are designed to ensure that furniture can withstand regular use, load conditions, and environmental stress without compromising safety. By complying with the applicable IS standard, manufacturers maintain consistent product quality and protect consumers from unsafe or substandard furniture.
Applicable Authority – Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body responsible for product certification and quality regulation in India. Under the notified QCO for Furniture, manufacturers must obtain approval before placing applicable furniture products on the market.
According to the License requirements, no manufacturer or importer can legally sell notified furniture items without valid certification.
Applicable Indian Standards for furniture
Different categories of furniture are governed by specific Indian Standards (IS), which define safety, strength, durability, and performance benchmarks. These standards evaluate:
- Structural strength and load-bearing capacity
- Stability and balance
- Durability under repeated use
- Material quality
- Safety against sharp edges or unsafe design
Compliance with the relevant Indian Standard is mandatory before introducing the product into the Indian market.
BIS Registration for furniture – Mandatory requirement
Furniture products notified under the Quality Control Order require ISI Certification for Furniture. The certification is granted in the form of a BIS License for Furniture, allowing manufacturers to affix the ISI Mark on their products.
The license is issued strictly in the name of the manufacturer. Importers and brand owners must ensure that the furniture products they sell in India are already BIS-certified.
Both Indian and foreign manufacturers are required to comply with BIS regulations if they wish to operate in the Indian market.
Legal importance of BIS Registration for furniture Quality Control Order (QCO) 2025
A Quality Control Order (QCO) is a statutory order issued by the Government of India to ensure that products manufactured, imported, or sold in India meet prescribed quality and safety standards.
The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 has been notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Government of India. As per this order, specific categories of furniture must comply with standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and must bear the BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) before being manufactured, imported, or sold in India.
Objectives of QCO for Furniture:
- To ensure uniform quality and safety of furniture products.
- To prevent the sale of substandard and hazardous furniture items.
- To enhance consumer safety and confidence.
- To align Indian furniture products with globally recognized quality benchmarks.
Products For Furniture Covered Under QCO
Numerous furniture items that need to be BIS certified are covered by the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025. A list of goods covered by the QCO is provided below:
| Furniture Type | Indian Standard (IS Code) | Description |
| Work Chairs | IS 17631:2022 | Office and workstation chairs |
| General-Purpose Chairs & Stools | IS 17632:2022 | Common household and commercial chairs & stools |
| Tables & Desks | IS 17633:2022 | Study tables, office desks, dining tables |
| Storage Units | IS 17634:2022 | Wardrobes, cabinets, and shelves |
| Beds | IS 17635:2022 | Household and commercial beds |
| Bunk Beds | IS 17636:2022 | Bunk beds for homes, hostels, etc. |
BIS Certification process for furniture:
The BIS certification process involves multiple regulatory and technical steps:
Process for BIS Certification Step-by-Step :
- Testing at BIS-Recognized Laboratory: Product samples are tested as per the relevant Indian Standard to verify compliance with strength, stability, and safety requirements.
- Application Submission : The manufacturer submits the application along with test reports and required documentation to BIS.
- Factory Inspection : BIS officials conduct an inspection of the manufacturing facility to verify quality control systems, production processes, and in-house testing capabilities.
- Grant of BIS License : Upon successful verification, BIS grants the BIS License for Furniture, authorizing the use of the ISI Mark on approved products.
Documents Required for BIS Certification
The following documents are typically required for obtaining BIS Certification:
- Manufacturing unit registration and legal documents
- Factory layout and machinery details
- Quality control system and in-house testing information
- Raw material specifications
- Product test reports from BIS-recognized laboratories
- Details of technical personnel and production process
- Authorization letters and required undertakings
Foreign manufacturers must additionally appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to coordinate with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and manage compliance requirements in India.
Required Use of the ISI Mark on Furniture
Manufacturers are required to put the ISI (Indian Standards Institute) mark mark on Furniture after receiving a BIS license. This standard mark is a representation of quality control and adherence to Indian standards.
Furniture manufacturing and sales without BIS Certification will be prohibited following the QCO's implementation. The BIS Act of 2016 imposes fines on any maker or importer who disobeys this directive.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
If manufacturers or importers disregard the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, they may be subject to the following legal actions:
● Heavy penalties
● Order for product recalls
● Business limitations
● Seizure of furniture that doesn't comply
Therefore, acquiring BIS Certification is essential for all Indian furniture producers and exporters.
Conclusion
Furniture BIS Registration is an essential requirement for product quality and safety standard in India. By following BIS standards, a manufacturer can build his brand value and reputation in market and too get accepted worldwide with customer trust.
To make the process of certification easier, manufacturers can enquire to experienced professionals of BIS Certification such as EVTL India to simplify procedures.
Now, as a consumer who is buying furniture for the home you have every right to be concerned about its safety and long-term usage so please give us a round of applause for this one We are working hard to get all your wobble fears at once because let’s face it better safe than sorry. Making your products BIS-certified not only provides amazing quality furniture but also an outstanding factor on which consumers can rely.
Overview of The Furniture Quality Control Directive
This directive mandates that all furniture items must bear the Standard Mark and comply with the relevant Indian Standard 17633:2022 for tables and desks. According to Scheme I of Schedule II of the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, they must apply for a licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards in order to accomplish this.
However, this arrangement has certain deviations. First of all, products made domestically for export are not covered.
Second, this order will not apply to micro and small businesses as defined by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 for eighteen months after it is published.
Additionally, this order does not apply to goods or articles produced by businesses registered under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises' "Udyam Portal" that have a turnover of no more than two crore rupees and an investment in plant and machinery or equipment of no more than twenty-five lakh rupees, as certified by a chartered accountant.
The Bureau of Indian Standards is the certification and enforcement body for furniture products or articles under this regulation.
FAQs About BIS Certification for Furniture
1. Is BIS Certification mandatory for all furniture?
Yes, for specific furniture categories listed in the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025, BIS Certification is mandatory.
2. How long does it take to get BIS Certification for furniture?
The process typically takes 4-6 weeks, depending on testing, inspection, and document verification.
3. Can we sell foreign furniture in India without a BIS Certification?
No, Imported Furniture which come under QCO is compulsory to have BIS Certification if the products are imported and sold in Indian market.
4. How long does a furniture BIS License lasts?
A BIS license can be renewed annually and is usually valid for one year.
5. What happens a manufacturer breaches the QCO?
Non-compliance can result in penalties, fines, and a ban on manufacturing or selling non-certified furniture.
6. Where should the application of BIS Certification be submitted by the manufacturer?
Manufacturers can apply through the official BIS portal or get in touch with EVTL India or any other BIS consultant for Furniture for assistance.
7. Should every piece of furniture be certified?
Yes, BIS Certification is mandatory for some categories of the furniture listed under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025.
8. Should every piece of furniture be certified?
Yes, BIS Certification is mandatory for some categories of the furniture listed under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025.
