IS 17634:2022 & ISI Mark: Legal Compliance for Storage Units

evtlindia79
Oct 13
12 min read

In recent years, regulations governing furniture products in India have grown stricter, led by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Government of India. One key regulation is IS 17634:2022, which sets the Indian Standard for storage units. Going forward, only storage units carrying the ISI mark (BIS Standard mark) will be permitted in the Indian market, as products that do not comply with the Quality Control Order (QCO) will not be eligible for sale.

What ISI Mark and BIS Certification Mean for Storage Units?

Understanding the ISI Mark and BIS Certification

The ISI mark, also known as the BIS Standard Mark, is a symbol of quality and conformity issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards under its product certification Scheme-I. It indicates that a product meets the applicable Indian Standard.

BIS certification is the official license granted by BIS to a manufacturer or authorized applicant, allowing them to affix the ISI mark on their products. This certification is granted only after the product successfully meets testing requirements, passes audits, and the manufacturer demonstrates robust quality systems.

For storage units, BIS certification permits the use of the ISI mark on products that comply with IS 17634:2022. This standard sets the benchmarks for performance, safety, durability, and stability of storage units such as cabinets, drawer units, wardrobes, and similar furniture items.

Scope and Key Requirements of IS 17634:2022

IS 17634:2022 specifies the criteria for safety, structural strength, stability, durability, performance of storage units, including requirements for testing of loads, deflections, tipping, impact, fatigue cycles, and surface finish, and additional criteria on tipping, impact, and fatigue cycles.

The standard applies to both fully manufactured (fabricated) units and ready-to-assemble storage units, with the tests applied to the assembled units.

It's great to see Omega Industrial Corporation and Bureau of Indian Standards receiving recognition. Some of the important test requirements are the following:

1. Stability / tipping test: Ensures the unit remains upright under the defined weights and during anticipated misuse.

2. Strength / load test: Shelves and drawers. along with other parts of the construction, Must carry defined weights with an acceptable degree of deflection without breaking.

Durability / fatigue / cycle test: Repeated opening and closing of doors and drawers and other controls in specified cycles.

4. Impact / abuse tests: Resistance to sudden blows. Surface finish tests , Resistance to scratches, heat, abrasion, moisture, and other destructive agents.

Finally, if all of the aforementioned tests are passed, along with adequate design tolerances, the product can be awarded the corresponding BIS certification under that standard. Hence, the being BIS certified under IS 17634:2022, the manufacturer (or importer) proves that their under QCO BIS certified storage units are safe, durable, compliant and can be sold legally in India.

The Importance of BIS / ISI Certification (for Storage Units)

Legal compliance & market entry

In accordance with the new Quality Control Order (QCO) regulations, only storage units certified by the BIS, marked ISI, and compliant with the IS 17634:2022 standard, will be eligible for manufacture, sale, import or distribution in India commencing 14th February 2026.
The absence or refusal of compliance will invite regulatory seizures, product recalls or banning access to the market. Non compliant units will be barred from access to the market.
It is evident that such certification is far from optional for those in the storage-unit business; it is, in fact, a legally mandatory operational license in India.

Consumer trust, branding, and competitive advantage

The ISI / BIS certified products are perceived to be of higher quality, safer and more reliable by consumers.
Having the mark is recommended or required by various stakeholders such as retailers, e-commerce platforms, institutional buyers, and public entities.
The claim “BIS-certified storage units under IS 17634:2022” is a useful tool and a point of reference for sales and brand trust, making it easier to market the products.
The mark drastically lowers the chances of complaints, product returns and liabilities. This is because the mark is regarded as a guarantee of quality.

Risk mitigation, liability protection, and quality assurance

Having BIS certification affirms that a company is following Indian standards and that the company is reducing risks associated with claims or legal challenges related to the safety or performance of a product.

Continuous quality control is ensured by BIS surveillance, factory audits, and periodic testing.

Eligibility for contracts, institutional sales, exports

Certified products are often required for Government contracts and institutional procurements such as educational institutions, hospitals, metro rail, and defense.

Additionally, having strong domestic credentials for exports from India can improve acceptance abroad.

Investing in long-term quality

Achieving BIS certification compels a company to improve its quality infrastructure, testing, control of processes, staff training, and documentation. This results in sustainable advancements in product reliability and competitiveness.

Legal & Regulatory Framework in India

In order to understand how BIS certification, QCO, ISI registration, etc. fit together, it is essential to view the regulatory structure of India.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Conformity Assessment Schemes
BIS, the national standard setting body, comes under the purview of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. It has the responsibility of setting, adopting, and enforcing Indian standards, as well as handling certification.
BIS has under it multiple Conformity Assessment Schemes:
Scheme-I (Product Certification / ISI Mark Scheme) – involves licensing the use of the standard mark (ISI mark) after testing and audits are carried out, etc.
Scheme-II (Registration Scheme / CRS) – applicable to certain products where the registration is based on self-declaration of conformity and does not include mandatory factory audits (for eligible products).
Scheme-IV and the rest for specific types of conformity certificates.
For storage units, the relevant path is Scheme-I (Product Certification / ISI Mark) under QCO.

Quality Control Order (QCO) under Government Notification

The Government notifies a Quality Control Order (QCO) declaring certain products (for instance, storage units) to be mandatory standard conformity.

For storage units, a QCO has been issued, making IS 17634:2022 applicable, and requires the use of the BIS standard mark in compliant products starting February 14, 2026.

The QCO injects statutory force: violations will result in legal action, seizure, fines, and bans.

BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018

The BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 serve as the regulatory underpinning for the BIS product certification and registration as they define the rules for Scheme-I, Scheme-II, and the various activities concerning inspection, audits, suspension, revocation, etc.

Surveillance, Market Monitoring and Enforcement

Upon granting a license, BIS will perform the following:

Factory audits/surveillance inspections
Retesting of samples (market surveillance)
Responding to non-conformity or complaints
The license may be suspended or canceled with a repeated violation.
If a storage unit is imported into India from abroad, the foreign manufacturer must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to deal with BIS processes.

The foreign manufacturer must undergo the same tests, audits, etc., but through the mechanisms outlined in the Foreign Manufacturer’s Certification Scheme (FMCS) of BIS.

This means that both domestic and foreign entities are treated the same in terms of the legal groundwork.

5. Step-by-Step Procedure for BIS / ISI Certification (for Storage Units)

The following is a step-by-step guide for storage unit manufacturers/importers that aims for BIS certification for Storage Units under IS 17634:2022.

Preliminary Steps and Eligibility Checks

Assess if the product falls under QCO / mandatory scheme Verify storage units are mandated under the QCO, and that IS 17634:2022 is the applicable standard.

Determine the model(s) and model range If you have multiple models (dimensions, configurations), you may choose a worst-case variant for testing. IS 17634 allows testing of representative models.

Omega Industrial Corporation

Set up or review your quality control infrastructure
Evidence of documented quality control procedures, factory layout, processes, equipment, calibration, etc. should be available.
Choose a BIS-recognized or NABL-accredited lab and arrange for the testing of samples of your storage unit according to protocols defined in IS 17634. Ensure IS 17634 is present in their scope.
For foreign manufacturers, appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). An AIR serves as the liaison for communication with BIS, audits, and compliance.

Sample Testing

Prepare Prototypes/Sample Units

After you have your production specifications and intended models, manufacture the sample units.

Submit Sample Units for Testing

The lab is to perform all necessary testing in accordance to IS 17634:2022 which includes stability, load, durability, impact, and other tests.

Obtain and rectify any problems with the test reports

Refine the design, or adjust the manufacturing process for any tests that failed, and retest to ensure they comply.

5.3 Application Submission

For the application, BIS allows access online through its portal.

Complete Application Form

Fill in all required fields with details of the manufacturer, address of the factory, product models, QCO/standard code (IS 17634:2022), quality control system and other relevant details.

Upload the required documents

In addition to the application, the most commonly required documents include, your Business Registration, GST, and PAN.

Factory license or proof of manufacturing facility.
Layout drawings, process flow, QC plans.
List of raw materials, bill of materials.
Calibration records, equipment list.
Sample test reports (from BIS-recognized lab).
Authorization letter (if using consultant or agent).
Pay applicable fees.
Pay any relevant fees, including application, testing, license, marking, inspection, and any others.

BIS Audit / Factory Inspection

BIS (or its nominee) schedules a factory audit / inspection.

The auditor inspects your manufacturing premises, QC setup, process controls, documentation, sample retention, etc.

Respond to any non-conformities.

If BIS audit raises observations or non-conformities, address them with corrective actions and submit evidence.

Grant of BIS Licence & Marking

Approval and rant of BIS licence: On successful completion of tests and factory audit, BIS issues a licence allowing use of the BIS standard mark (ISI mark) on the product.
Marking and labeling compliance: You must affix the standard mark, licence number, IS number (IS 17634), and any other mandated labeling details.
Begin manufacture, distribution, and sale: You may now legally market storage units bearing the BIS mark, subject to ongoing compliance obligations.

Post-Grant Obligations and Surveillance

Surveillance audits by BIS: BIS will conduct periodic inspections to verify consistency and compliance.

Market Sampling & Retesting: The Bureau of Indian Standards may collect product samples from the market and conduct retests to verify that certified units continue to conform.

Renewals, changes, or scope extension: Adding new products to the line, new designs, or moving to a new factory requires applications for extensions, retesting, or reapproval.

Timeline and Duration

In normal circumstances, acquiring a BIS / ISI licence for applicable products takes between 30 and 60 days.
In the case of QCO storage units, the licence may take longer due to complexities that arise from the scheduling of audits, retests, and the tests themselves.
The licence has no time limit to expire, but may revoke and will periodically renew or update.

Challenges, Best Practices, and Tips

Challenges / Pain Points

The loops of redesign and retesting due to test failure can be particularly exasperating at the outset of a project due to the time and cost involved. Many manufacturers may lack documented procedures, calibration systems, and process control discipline, and this can lead to non compliance.
Unfinished documents, drawings which are not updated, or the failure to retain samples can lead to audit rejection.
For small firms, the costs of laboratories, multiple re-tests, training personnel, and hiring external consultants become significant concerning the expected benefits.
When dealing with many variants, the more there are, the greater the burden becomes; it is essential to identify and test the representative “worst-case” models.
Assigning an AIR and the related remote coordination of audits, prototype shipments, etc., increases complexity.

Best Practices & Tips

Validation of designs early: While developing a product, design for possible compliance with IS 17634 (load, deflection limits, stability margins, and stability margins). Consider the pretest.
Advance selection of BIS-recognized / NABL accredited laboratory: Ensure the chosen NABL lab has the scope for tests required for IS 17634 and inquire for turnaround time.
Extensive documentation from the beginning: Compile and maintain QC manuals, calibration records, SOPs, logs, sample retention records, non-conformity records, and other documentation.
Management of quality and discipline: Implement and maintain control for checks and inspections for the incoming raw materials, in-process, and final inspection.
Rationalization of models: Reduce the amount for the sake of testing. Use the worst-case model where allowed.
Use of mock audits / pre-audit reviews: Contract an outside consultant to perform a simulation of the BIS audit and find gaps.
Corrective actions in a timely manner: Address non-conformities during lab tests and audits with swift documentation.
Engagement of a BIS consultant of repute or ISI consultant: Consultants having domain experience in storage units/furniture will help in smoother navigation.
Retesting and Contingency Plans: Include buffer time and budget within the project plan for potential retests.
Monitoring and Managing Regulatory Changes: QCO and BIS requirements may change; keep track of BIS and Government notifications.
Staff Training: Factory personnel, the QC staff, and document owners need to know the compliance requirements, including what is necessary for audit preparation.
Utilization of Cluster Labs (or MSME Testing Subsidies): Smaller manufacturers may access cluster testing facilities at subsidized BIS-regulated rates.

The Role of Consultants (BIS/ISI Consultant)

Due to the technical, procedural, and regulatory complexities, many manufacturers rely on consultants. Below is the role, value, and selection criteria for a BIS/ISI Consultant pertaining to storage units.

What a BIS / ISI Consultant Does

Assists in identifying relevant standards along with QCO timelines and regulatory requirements
Coordinates pre-assessment and mock audits
Prepares or reviews QC manuals, SOPs, and other relevant documentation (nonconformity flows, calibration protocols)
Coordinates with the testing labs when samples need to be submitted, followed up, and tested
Assists in filing the BIS application and in the document upload process
Assists in queries regarding audit observations and non-conformities
Coordinates with BIS in audit scheduling, clarifications, and extension requests.
Surveillance audits and renewal cycles support

Why Hire a Consultant

Expert guidance: Knowledge regarding BIS expectations and common rejection scenarios, as well as the furniture / storage-unit domain.
Time & cost efficiency: Streamlining the process and minimizing the need for trial-and-error testing.
Audit readiness: Confidence brought by the mock audits and the reduction of BIS inspection surprises.
Regulatory intelligence: Knowledge around BIS regulations and QCO shifts, maintaining compliance.

7.3 How to Choose a Good Consultant

Domain experience in furniture / storage units / IS 17634
Track record of successful BIS certifications
Transparent pricing along with explicit deliverables
Evidence of technical knowledge (standards, test protocols, audit norms)
Assistance in the post-certification phases (surveillance, renewals)
Good industry reputation backed by client references

Pitfalls with Consultants

Overpromising unrealistic timelines
Inadequate subject matter understanding affecting test strategy.
Hidden costs or scope creep.
Dependence (knowledge transfer to the client is not done).

This is why engaging a consultant is understandable—but the manufacturer still has to perspire.

FAQs

The following is a common FAQ consolidated for the BIS/ ISI Certification, registration, and compliance for storage units under IS 17634:2022.

Q. Is BIS certification compulsory for storage units?

Yes. In accordance with the QCO notified for furniture, as of 14 February 2026, all storage units in India will be required to conform to IS 17634:2022 and will have to bear the range of BIS certification marks (ISI mark).

Q. Can I simply use ¨BIS registration¨ instead of full certification?

No—storage units fall under the QCO and full product certification is required (Scheme-I), including a factory audit. You cannot simply use Scheme II registration (CRS).

Q. What is the difference between ¨BIS licence for storage units¨ and ¨BIS registration for storage units¨?

By “BIS licence” I mean certification under Scheme I (with audit and i test compliance). “BIS registration” in the scheme-II sense is not applicable here; saying it this way will confuse people.

Q. How would you describe a BIS QCO when it comes to storage units?

The government order that stipulates that compliance with IS 17634:2022 is mandatory to the storage units makes the use of the BIS standard mark obligatory and puts the market at risk by refusing to sell non-compliant storage units.

Q. Is it possible to obtain BIS certification of storage units to a foreign manufacturer?

Yes, through the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS). The foreign party is required to employ an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) and undergo the same testing, auditing, and records.

Q. What documents are required?

These are some of the major documents: business registration, factory layout, process flow, QC manual, equipment list, calibration records, sample test reports, authorization letters etc.

Q. How many days does the certification take?

It usually takes 30-60 days under normal conditions, but in complicated products, retesting, or when the audit team has a tight schedule then it may take more time.

Q. Does BIS do any surprise inspections?

Yes, BIS performs surveillance audit and can take samples of the market and re-test it to determine further compliance.

Q. What will occur should a product fail to retest in the market?

BIS can suspend or revoke license, recall, impose fines or other remedial action.

Q. What would be in case of design modification or change of factory?

You are required to make BIS aware, perhaps reapply, retest or request further extension/approval of the new scope.

Q. Will there be different tests required by all models?

Not always. BIS commonly allows testing of representative worst-case-models to range.

Q. Is it possible to offer benefits or concessions to MSMEs?

In certain cases, there might be benefits or subsidies or they can use cluster labs, however, verify with BIS or consultant on the current schemes.

Conclusion

EVTL India is one of the leading BIS consultants in India, guiding manufacturers to obtain their BIS licences smoothly and with minimal stress. With the introduction of IS 17634:2022 and its implementation through the Quality Control Order (QCO), storage units in India will soon require a BIS standard mark (ISI mark) to be legally sold, imported, or distributed.

For manufacturers and importers of storage units, understanding the BIS certification and ISI licensing process, preparing thorough documentation, selecting representative models for testing, and being ready for factory audits and surveillance are all crucial steps. A qualified BIS/ISI consultant specializing in furniture or storage equipment can dramatically reduce the learning curve and help avoid rejections or non-conformities.

Still, it remains the manufacturer’s responsibility to establish quality systems, maintain compliance discipline, and stay audit-ready. Given the regulatory requirements and the competitive advantages it brings, BIS certification is more than just a compliance formality—it is an investment in brand credibility, market access, customer trust, and long-term quality.