Navigating India’s 2025 BIS Regulations: Are Mid-Cap Industrial Manufacturers Ready?

India’s industrial sector—projected to reach a valuation of $1.7 trillion by 2025 and growing at 10% annually—presents significant opportunities for global mid-cap manufacturers in industries such as low voltage switchgear, compressors, cranes, control systems, and construction equipment. However, capitalizing on this potential requires careful navigation of India’s evolving regulatory landscape.

Beginning August 28, 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will enforce updated Quality Control Orders (QCOs) that mandate certification for more than 250 industrial products, including various machinery, steel components, and electrical devices. These regulations are designed to elevate product safety and quality in line with global norms—and compliance will be non-negotiable.

What This Means for Foreign Mid-Cap Manufacturers:

Early preparation is essential. Delays in meeting these new BIS requirements could result in restricted market access or outright bans on product sales in India.

Key Elements of the New BIS Standards:

• Mandatory Certification: Certification will be required for over 20 product categories, such as machine tools (including those for stone and ceramics) and household electrical appliances like toasters and grillers, as well as their components.

• Broad Scope: These rules apply equally to imported and domestically manufactured goods. Importers and distributors must ensure that overseas manufacturers are BIS-compliant before products can enter the Indian market.

• Strict Enforcement: Non-compliant products will be prohibited from sale starting August 2025, emphasizing the need for timely and thorough certification.

Entry Strategy: What to Do—and Avoid

Do:

• Assess all applicable BIS requirements and QCOs for your product lines.

• Work with local compliance specialists like Maier+Vidorno Altios, who can guide you through India’s certification maze.

Don’t:

• Rely on international certifications (like CE or UL) as substitutes—India mandates local compliance.

• Overlook regional differences—state-level regulations can vary and must also be followed.

• Rush the process—certifying complex machinery may take up to six months.

How Maier+Vidorno Altios Helps You Succeed in India:

Maier+Vidorno Altios provides end-to-end support tailored to foreign mid-cap industrial firms looking to expand into India:

1. Compliance & Certification: Expert guidance on BIS standards, QCOs, and regulatory processes.

2. Market Intelligence: Strategic insights on pricing, competition, and demand dynamics.

3. On-the-Ground Execution: Support with company setup, partner identification, logistics, and staffing.

Secure your position in India’s booming industrial market—partner with Maier+Vidorno Altios for a smooth, compliant market entry.