BIS Certification for Upholstery Fabric in India – IS 15768

BIS Certification for Upholstery Fabric in India – IS 15768

What is BIS certification for upholstery fabric?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standards body. Under the Protective Textiles Quality Control (Upholstered Composites used for Non-Domestic Furniture) Order, 2024, all upholstery fabric and upholstered composites used in non-domestic furniture must:

• Conform to Indian Standard IS 15768:2008 (revised to IS 15768:2025)
• Bear the ISI Standard Mark issued under a BIS licence
• Be tested at a BIS-recognised laboratory before certification is granted

This applies to both domestic manufacturers and importers supplying to the Indian market.

What Does the IS 15768 Standard for Upholstery Fabric Actually Test?

IS 15768:2025 tests upholstery fabric across 7 key safety and performance parameters at BIS-recognised or NABL-accredited laboratories:

1. Smouldering Cigarette Test — How the fabric reacts to a burning cigarette placed on its surface.

2. Match Flame Test — How the fabric responds to direct contact with an open flame.

3. Tensile Strength — Whether the fabric holds up mechanically under long-term use.

4. Abrasion Resistance — How well the fabric surface withstands repeated wear and friction.

5. Material Composition — Confirms the fabric matches its declared fibre and material specifications.

6. Fire-Retardant Properties — Measures flame spread and whether the fabric self-extinguishes.

7. Structural Integrity — Overall fabric performance and durability under stress.

Who Needs BIS License for Upholstery Fabric?

This certification is mandatory for:

Domestic Fabric Manufacturers If you produce upholstery fabric — woven, non-woven, or composite — intended for non-domestic furniture, you must obtain a BIS licence before selling in India.

Importers If you import upholstery fabric or upholstered composites into India for use in offices, hotels, hospitals, or any public-use furniture, BIS certification is mandatory prior to customs clearance.

Furniture Manufacturers & Assemblers If you manufacture or assemble non-domestic furniture using upholstered fabric, you are required to ensure the fabric you use is IS 15768-certified. A self-declaration under IS 15768 is required for furniture intended for domestic use.

Foreign Manufacturers Overseas manufacturers supplying Indian buyers must obtain BIS Foreign Manufacturer Certification (FMCS) under IS 15768 to export their products to India.

The BIS Certification Process for Upholstery Fabric

Getting BIS certification under IS 15768 involves the following steps:

Step 1 – Application

Submit the BIS application online via the BIS portal (manakonline.in), along with all required documents.

Step 2 – Document Review

BIS reviews your application, factory details, product specifications, and quality management plan.

Step 3 – Sample Testing

Representative fabric samples are submitted to a BIS-recognised lab for testing against all parameters specified in IS 15768.

Step 4 – Factory Inspection

A BIS officer visits your manufacturing facility to verify in-house testing capability, quality assurance systems, and production processes.

Step 5 – Licence Grant

Upon successful testing and inspection, BIS issues your licence to use the ISI Standard Mark on your upholstery fabric.

Step 6 – Surveillance & Renewal

BIS conducts periodic audits and product testing. The licence must be renewed before expiry (typically every two years).

What Documents Required for BIS Registration for Upholstery Fabric?

• Completed BIS application form
• Business registration / incorporation certificate
• Factory address proof and layout plan
• List of manufacturing machinery and equipment
• In-house lab test facility details (or agreement with external lab)
• Quality Assurance Plan (QAP)
• Product specification and raw material details
• Test reports from BIS-recognised laboratory
• Authorisation letter (if applying through a consultant)
• For foreign manufacturers: additional FMCS-specific documents

Consequences of Not Getting BIS Compliance for Upholstery Fabric

Operating without BIS certification under IS 15768 after the QCO implementation date exposes you to:

• Product seizure by BIS enforcement officers from manufacturing premises, warehouses, or port of entry
• Prohibition from sale — your product cannot be legally marketed, distributed, or stocked in India
• Customs detention / rejection of import shipments at Indian ports
• Financial penalties under Section 29 and 30 of the BIS Act, 2016
• Criminal liability — imprisonment up to two years and/or fine up to INR 2 lakh for repeat offenders
• Loss of buyer contracts — hotels, hospitals, airports, and large corporates now mandatorily require IS 15768-certified fabric from their suppliers

Why Choose Us as Your BIS Consultant?

More Than Just a Consultant — Your Compliance Partner

There are many BIS consultants in the market, and almost all of them promise similar things — fast approvals, affordable pricing, smooth documentation, and complete end-to-end support. On the surface, every consultancy may appear the same. However, the real difference only becomes visible when the certification process becomes difficult, technical, or time-sensitive. BIS certification is not always a straightforward process.In many cases, businesses face unexpected challenges such as-

1. When BIS raises objections.
2. When documents are rejected.
3. When factory audits do not go as planned.
4. When timelines become critical.
5. That is where experience matters—and that is where we stand apart.

An inexperienced consultant may simply forward documents and wait for responses, but an experienced BIS compliance partner understands how to identify risks early, prepare documentation correctly, coordinate effectively with testing laboratories and BIS officials, and resolve issues before they affect your certification timeline.

Our Expertise

At Global Solution & Compliance Pvt. Ltd., we bring over 20 years of hands-on experience in BIS certification and regulatory compliance.
We have successfully handled 4,700+ certifications across multiple industries and BIS schemes — including complex and challenging cases that required deep technical understanding and practical expertise.
We do not just understand BIS regulations on paper — we understand how the process works in real-world situations.
Expertise in Complex & Critical Cases
Over the years, we have successfully managed:
• BIS objections and technical clarifications
• Rejected documentation cases
• Non-compliance audit issues
• Delayed or stuck applications
• Factory preparedness for BIS inspections
• Cases transferred from other consultants
Many clients approach us after facing difficulties elsewhere — and we help them successfully complete the certification process with confidence.
Transparent & Proactive Communication
When you work with us, you never have to keep chasing for updates.
Our team ensures:
• Regular status updates
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We believe in keeping our clients informed throughout the entire certification journey — with no confusion, no surprises, and no hidden charges.
Complete BIS & Regulatory Compliance Solutions
We provide end-to-end support for major Indian compliance schemes, including:
• BIS ISI Mark Certification
• BIS CRS Registration
• FMCS Certification
• BIS Hallmarking
• ECO Mark Certification
• WPC Approval
Whether you are:
• A startup manufacturer,
• An established Indian company,
• An importer,
• Or a foreign manufacturer entering the Indian market,
our team has the expertise to guide you efficiently through the complete process.

End-to-End Support Beyond Certification
Our support does not end after approval.
We also assist with:
• License renewals
• Ongoing compliance management
• Surveillance audit support
• Documentation maintenance
• Product inclusion and model extension
• Regulatory updates and guidance.

We help ensure your business remains compliant at all times and avoids any certification gaps.
Why Clients Trust Us
✔ 20+ Years of Experience
✔ 4,700+ Successful Certifications
✔ Expert Handling of Complex Cases
✔ Dedicated Compliance Team
✔ Transparent Process & Pricing
✔ Complete End-to-End Support
✔ Long-Term Compliance Partnership
Let’s Simplify Your BIS Certification Process
At Global Solution & Compliance Pvt. Ltd., we are committed to making the certification process smooth, efficient, and reliable for your business.
If you are looking for a BIS consultant who is genuinely invested in your success, our team is here to help.