India’s Transition QCO 2026: Simplified BIS Certification Guide for Manufacturers

Posted by Written by Archana Rao Reading Time: 3 minutes

India has introduced a new regulatory framework to simplify the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification process for manufacturers of certain regulated products. Under the Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (Transition QCO), eligible companies can obtain BIS certification through a simplified registration-based mechanism instead of the conventional inspection-intensive process.

Administered by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Transition QCO applies only to specific items. These include products in sectors such as toys, footwear, electrical appliances, furniture, air conditioners, hinges, and other notified manufactured goods.

Manufacturers outside the notified QCOs must continue following the existing BIS certification framework.

What is changing under the Transition QCO, 2026?

The Transition QCO, notified on June 25, 2026, introduces an alternative BIS certification route for eligible manufacturers.

Find Business Support
Need help with BIS certification or the Transition QCO? Our experts can help you achieve compliant market entry in India.

Under the existing regulatory framework, most products covered by QCO must obtain Scheme I certification before being sold in India. This process involves factory inspections, product testing, and BIS conformity assessment before a license is issued.

Under the Transition QCO, manufacturers approved by DPIIT may instead obtain certification through Scheme II, which relies on registration based on self-declaration of conformity and a risk-based assessment.

Scheme I (Default BIS certification)

Scheme II (Available under the Transition QCO)

Applicable to products covered by notified QCOs

Available only to DPIIT-approved manufacturers meeting Transition QCO eligibility conditions

BIS license granted after factory inspection and product testing

Registration based on self-declaration of conformity following DPIIT approval

BIS conducts pre-licensing conformity assessment

DPIIT evaluates business eligibility before Scheme II registration

Longer certification process

Streamlined certification process for eligible manufacturers

Compliance with applicable IS remains mandatory

Compliance with applicable IS remains mandatory

Source: PIB; Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India

Who can apply?

The Transition QCO is intended for manufacturers making long-term investments in India rather than businesses engaged solely in importing or trading.

The framework is particularly relevant for companies that:

  • Establish manufacturing facilities in India
  • Expand domestic supply chains
  • Operate through contract manufacturing
  • Transfer technology into India
  • Invest in design, engineering, or R&D
  • Have maintained a strong compliance record under existing QCOs.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate these capabilities as part of the approval process.

Support for global manufacturers under Transition QCO

A notable feature of the Transition QCO is its recognition of multinational corporate structures.

Find Business Support
Our team of experts at DSA India can help you navigate BIS certification, QCO compliance, and market entry in India.

Applicants may rely on the technical capabilities and manufacturing credentials of their parent, holding, or group companies, provided they submit supporting documents such as factory registrations, audited financial statements, intellectual property records, engineering capability documentation, and Board-approved declarations.

This enables multinational manufacturers to leverage their existing global manufacturing capabilities instead of establishing an entirely new compliance record in India.

Approval process

Companies seeking approval must submit an application to DPIIT detailing:

  • Products covered
  • Manufacturing facilities
  • Applicable IS
  • Production capacity
  • Investment plans
  • Implementation milestones
  • Supply chain strategy
  • Technical capability

Applications will be reviewed by an Implementation Committee comprising representatives from DPIIT, BIS, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the Department of Commerce, and other government agencies before final approval is granted by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Assessment criteria

Unlike the conventional certification process, the Transition QCO evaluates not only product conformity but also an applicant’s broader manufacturing capabilities and long-term investment plans.

The Implementation Committee assesses factors including the following:

  • Technical capability
  • Manufacturing experience
  • Quality assurance systems
  • Compliance history
  • Supply chain development
  • Technology adoption
  • Design capability
  • R&D investment
  • Broader public interest considerations, including environmental protection and national security.

Ongoing compliance

Approval under the Transition QCO remains subject to continuous regulatory oversight.

Companies must:

  • Submit quarterly reports on consignments and BIS license status
  • File annual compliance reports certified by a practicing Chartered Accountant (CA)
  • Cooperate with BIS market surveillance
  • Undergo periodic reviews by DPIIT.

Where necessary, independent third-party audits may also be conducted.

Impact on toy manufacturers

The Transition QCO does not alter the mandatory toy safety requirements under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020.

Manufacturers supplying toys in India must continue complying with:

  1. IS 9873 series for non-electric toys
  2. IS 15644 for electric toys
  3. Applicable BIS licensing requirements.

Eligible toy manufacturers approved under the Transition QCO may obtain BIS certification through Scheme II while continuing to comply with the same product safety requirements applicable under the existing regulatory framework.

ALSO READ: BIS Toy Certification in India: Navigating QCO and the New IS 9873 Standards

Non-compliance

DPIIT may suspend or withdraw approval where:

  1. Products fail to comply with applicable IS
  2. Material misrepresentation is identified during the application process
  3. Market surveillance reveals non-compliance or
  4. Approved milestones or commitments are not achieved.

Business outlook

The Transition QCO reflects India’s efforts to streamline regulatory approvals without weakening its product quality framework. By creating an alternative certification pathway for eligible manufacturers, the Order is expected to facilitate investment in advanced manufacturing, technology transfer, and domestic supply chains while supporting faster market access for businesses operating in regulated sectors.

About Us

India Briefing is one of five regional publications under the Asia Briefing brand. It is supported by Dezan Shira & Associates, a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm that assists foreign investors throughout Asia, including through offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru in India. Dezan Shira & Associates also maintains offices or has alliance partners assisting foreign investors in China, Hong Kong SAR, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Mongolia, Dubai (UAE), Japan, South Korea, Nepal, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Italy, Germany, Bangladesh, Australia, United States, and United Kingdom and Ireland.

For a complimentary subscription to India Briefing’s content products, please click here. For support with establishing a business in India or for assistance in analyzing and entering markets, please contact the firm at india@dezshira.com or visit our website at www.dezshira.com.