In May 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notified an expansion of mandatory product categories under the Industrial Standards Act, 1986, adding 47 new automotive component classifications to the compulsory certification regime. This is the largest single extension of mandatory standards for the auto-parts sector in three years.
Manufacturers of suspension systems, braking assemblies, steering columns, lighting modules and electrical harnesses now face a compliance window closing 31 August 2026. For SME and mid-sized component suppliers, this shift triggers immediate product testing, documentation review, and certification application cycles—often with lead times of 6–12 weeks at accredited laboratories. Delayed compliance invites supply-chain rejection, customs holds on exports, and penalty notices from BIS enforcement teams.
Market signals
BIS now requires ISI certification for components previously classified as voluntary. Suppliers to OEM assembly lines and Tier-1 manufacturers face immediate customer pressure to certify; many OEMs have already updated their purchase specifications and supplier scorecards to reflect the new mandatory list.
Accredited testing centres report 8–12 week turnarounds for new component categories due to surge in applications post-notification. Early filing and parallel document preparation (technical data sheets, process controls, raw-material certifications) are now critical to avoid missing the August deadline.
OEMs exporting vehicles to regulated markets (EU, ASEAN, Japan) increasingly demand BIS-certified components as part of supply-chain due diligence. Non-certified suppliers risk order cancellation and loss of export-linked business, particularly in the commercial-vehicle and electric-vehicle segments.
Under the Industrial Standards Act, 1986, BIS designation of a product as mandatory triggers a binding compliance regime: manufacture and sale without an active ISI certificate becomes an offence, attracting penalties up to ₹5 lakh and potential criminal prosecution. All manufacturers of the newly notified 47 components must apply to BIS for ISI certification via an accredited Product Certification Body (PCB) and undergo factory-inspection audits before certification is granted. Exports of non-certified units may face customs detention and rejection by importing-country regulators. Vinayakam Consultants assists manufacturers with BIS compliance mapping, technical documentation assembly, third-party testing coordination, and certification application filing to meet the August 2026 deadline and avoid supply-chain disruption.
Your action checklist
- Cross-reference your product portfolio against the 47 newly mandatory categories published in the 15 May 2026 BIS notification; identify which components fall under the scope and prioritise high-volume SKUs for immediate testing.
- Engage a BIS-accredited Product Certification Body (PCB) to conduct a gap assessment against the relevant IS (Indian Standard) code and initiate testing of samples before filing the certification application.
- Compile technical files: process flow charts, raw-material certs, in-house testing records, machinery calibration certificates, and quality-assurance procedures; ensure factory readiness for BIS inspection audit (typically 3–4 weeks post-application filing).
- Flag the 31 August 2026 compliance date with your OEM customers and logistics team; verify whether your current purchase orders require ISI certification and whether any supply contracts carry penalty clauses for non-certification.
Frequently asked questions
In May 2026, BIS expanded mandatory certification to 47 new automotive component categories including suspension systems, braking assemblies, steering columns, and electrical harnesses. Manufacturers must obtain ISI certification by August 31, 2026.
BIS-accredited laboratories currently report 8–12 week turnarounds for new component categories due to surge in applications post-notification. Early filing and parallel document preparation are critical to meet deadlines.
Non-compliance invites supply-chain rejection from OEMs, customs holds on exports, and penalty notices from BIS enforcement teams. OEM purchase specifications now mandate ISI certification for these components.