When you begin or scale a business in India, certifications appear to be a maze to navigate. From ISO to BIS to FSSAI, you can get lost in trying to know what you need and why. There are certifications that are mandatory in India by law, and then there are strategic applications to build trust, enter markets, or go global.
So how do you know what certification your business actually needs? That’s what we’re addressing in this blog. We’re going to take you through each certification, what it is, what industries it covers, and how to choose the right one for your business.
No jargon. No filler. Just practical insights to allow you to make informed, confident decisions.
Understanding the Landscape of Certification in India
Before we dive into the details of each certification, let us first determine how and why certifications exist. Essentially, certifications are meant to build trust — trust between businesses and their consumers, trust with the government, and trust with business partners like vendors and marketplaces.
They are proof that your product or service complies with certain standards. They could be quality, hygiene, safety, environmental friendliness, or other major parameters. In most cases, certifications are not about reputation building alone — they are legally mandatory.
Now let us understand in more detail three of the most discussed certifications in India: ISO, BIS, and FSSAI.
What is ISO Certification?
ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. It is a non-governmental, independent organization that creates international standards for production to environment management.
In simple terms, being ISO certified is having your company embracing international best practice. That may be how you produce things, deal with information, ensure safety, or even get things to your customers.
There are several different types of ISO certifications, based on your company and goals. For example:
- ISO 9001 deals with quality management systems.
- ISO 22000 is for food safety.
- ISO 27001 pertains to information security.
- ISO 14001 is for environmental impact.
ISO certification is not mandatory in India. It is highly recommended for businesses willing to export, having corporate customers, or creating a good image in competitive business sectors. It is a mark of professionalism as well as trustworthiness.
Even for startups and small businesses, ISO can be a difference-maker if you are targeting big clients or bid for government contracts.
What is BIS Certification?
BIS stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards. It is the national standards body of India to set and create quality standards for commodities to be marketed in the Indian market. The sole difference between ISO and BIS is that BIS is normally mandatory, especially for certain categories of goods.
You must get BIS certification if your product falls under one of the notified categories. For example:
- Electronics like phone chargers, power banks, or LED lights
- Household machines, including gas stoves, pressure cookers, and water bottles
- Building materials like steel or cement
- Safety gear like helmets or safety gear
If your product is not on the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) or other Compulsory BIS lists, then you need to get the BIS certification prior to selling your merchandise in India. Otherwise, your goods are confiscated, and you could be heavily penalized.
Though your product may not be in the list that is mandatory, the certification of BIS is beneficial in order to ensure customer confidence and product safety.
What is FSSAI Certification?
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. FSSAI is the government agency responsible for regulating food safety, hygiene, and labeling standards in India. Whether your business has anything to do with food — manufacturing and packaging, selling or delivering — you require an FSSAI license.
This involves:
- Street food vendors
- Food package vendors
- Cloud kitchens
- Bakeries and cafes
- Food companies online
- Food transporters and storage containers
FSSAI registration is a legal requirement in India. Whether big or small, your food business is illegal without this license. Your business model and turnover decide what kind of FSSAI license you will need.
Small food stall owners with a turnover of less than ₹12 lakh can go for simple registration. Medium-sized businesses with a turnover of up to ₹20 crore require a state license. Large businesses or those whose business is in more than one state require a central license.
FSSAI certification is not only about compliance. It’s also about establishing customer trust. Most customers now look for the FSSAI mark on food packaging or on food ordering apps. That you have the certification means that your brand takes hygiene and safety seriously.
Choosing the Proper Certification for Your Organization
Now that we’ve had a glimpse of what ISO, BIS and FSSAI are, let’s talk about how to determine which one (or both) your business needs.
It’s all about what you’re selling, how you’re selling it, and who you’re selling to.
1. Are You in the Food Business?
If your company is involved in manufacturing, sale, packing, transport, or distribution of food, then FSSAI license cannot be avoided. It’s a regulation and must be obtained before starting business.
But FSSAI alone is not the certification that food businesses can achieve. ISO 22000, a food safety management system, would normally be required by big buyers, export markets, or e-commerce sites.
For example, if you are exporting spices or selling packaged food to retail chains, ISO certification can be that added confidence booster. In some situations, if plastic packaging or plastic utensils are incorporated in your food items, then BIS certification might also be necessary.
2. Do You Manufacture Products?
If you’re manufacturing products — especially regulated products — you may need BIS certification. Electronics, kitchen appliances, building materials, and safety gear are all items that typically fall under mandatory BIS standards.
Even if you have not certified your product as yet, BIS certification can be a selling point. People are increasingly quality and safety-conscious, and BIS is a badge of assurance.
BIS combined with ISO 9001, a quality management system, can actually increase your business credibility. It can prove to be particularly useful if you want to partner with large distributors, sell over the internet, or bid for industrial tenders.
3. Are You a Service-Based Business?
If you are engaged in consultancy, IT services, SaaS, or online learning, you may not need BIS or FSSAI at all. But certifications of ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 may not be out of place.
ISO 27001 is a requirement for businesses that handle sensitive user information or have a business in cybersecurity, data analysis, or cloud services. ISO 9001 promotes internal processes and quality management, which is a huge selling point if you work with enterprise clients.
4. Are you in e-commerce or dropshipping?
For e-commerce websites, the answer varies based on product categories you handle. Food products? You require FSSAI. Electronics? Verify if your products fall under BIS. Fashion or accessories? No certificate is perhaps necessary, but ISO can still assist you in establishing discipline in operations.
If you are dropshipping or purchasing from other suppliers, then you may not necessarily require certifications yourself but your suppliers must be compliant. Having the authority to demonstrate that you only deal with BIS/FSSAI-certified suppliers can help you build customers’ trust and reduce liability.
Some Common Errors to Avoid while Selecting a Certification
Most companies end up making the error of overlooking certification requirements when it’s already too late. Some of the most common mistakes to avoid are:
- Assuming that your business is small enough not to need FSSAI or BIS
- Getting a wrong kind of FSSAI license can (this can lead to legal problems)
- Choosing an ISO standard that doesn’t exist for your actual operations
- Starting business without checking BIS lists
- Assuming registration to be a once-off process — most certifications require renewal and additional documentation
Another typical problem is attempting to do it yourself. Certification procedures are technical and time-consuming, particularly when testing or documentation is involved. Engaging a professional service will be money well spent in terms of time saved, cash, and a fair amount of stress.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Certified?
The penalty for not getting certified can be drastic. You may be served with legal notices, huge fines, product seizure, or even business shutdown. Apart from legal penalties, your brand reputation can also be badly damaged. Customers today are highly educated, and most of them look for proof of safety, hygiene, and quality before purchasing a product.
In some industries like food and electronics, non-certification can also lead to criminal prosecution.
Besides the legal advantage, certifications also create avenues in other respects. You can bid for bigger deals, export, sell on big platforms, and build customer trust. It’s not just a question of not getting into trouble — it’s about building permanent success.
Conclusion: Get Certified the Smart Way
In brief, here is the rundown: You may not need all three, but you do need the right one — and it depends on what your business does.
- If you own a food business, FSSAI is not an option.
- If you manufacture regulated products, BIS can be mandatory.
- If you have to scale or expand internal systems, ISO can give you a global competitive edge.
Don’t wait until you receive a penalty notice or a client asks for certification at the eleventh hour. Take charge. Get certified the first time, right.
Need Assistance? Have Legal Dalal Explain It to You
Certifications can be tricky to navigate — but you don’t need to navigate them alone. Legal Dalal does it all for you, from application and documentation to approvals and reminders. Require an FSSAI license, BIS registration, or ISO certification? Our specialists ensure the process is smooth, quick, and economical.
- Call Now: +91-80942 37237
- Visit: www.legaldalal.com
- Email: support@legaldalal.com
Let’s certify, comply, and prepare your business to grow.
