Getting a Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) license from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a rigorous process. In 2026, with the integration of digital tracking and stricter Quality Control Orders (QCOs), the margin for error has narrowed.
Below are the most common reasons why FMCS applications are rejected in India and how you can avoid them.
1. Mismatch in Product Standards (IS Code Selection)
The most frequent cause of rejection is applying under the wrong Indian Standard (IS). Many foreign manufacturers assume that if their product meets international standards like ISO, CE, or IEC, it will automatically qualify.
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The Trap: BIS requires strict adherence to specific Indian Standards. For example, an LED driver and an LED lamp have different IS codes; applying for one under the other leads to immediate technical rejection.
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2026 Update: BIS now uses automated screening to cross-check product descriptions against the applied IS code.
2. Inadequate In-House Testing Facilities
Under FMCS, the manufacturer must demonstrate that their factory has the infrastructure to perform the tests required by the Indian Standard.
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The Trap: If a BIS auditor visits your foreign facility and finds that you lack specific testing equipment mentioned in the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT), your application will be rejected or "stopped" until the equipment is installed and calibrated.
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Key Requirement: All testing equipment must have valid calibration certificates traceable to international or national standards.
3. Issues with the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)
Since the manufacturer is located outside India, a local representative (AIR) is mandatory. Rejections often happen here due to administrative errors:
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Non-Eligibility: The AIR must be an Indian resident. If the AIR is found to be representing too many unrelated companies or lacks the technical knowledge to answer BIS queries, the application faces scrutiny.
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Documentation: Errors in the Power of Attorney or the nomination letter—such as mismatched signatures or lack of notarization—are common "red flags."
4. Documentation & Address Inconsistencies
BIS is extremely meticulous about "Proof of Establishment."
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The Trap: If the factory address on your ISO certificate, business license, and the FMCS application does not match exactly (down to the room number or street name), the application is often returned.
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Process Flow: Rejections occur if the manufacturing process flow chart is too vague or doesn't match the actual production line observed during the physical audit.
5. Sample Testing Failures
After the factory audit, samples are sealed and sent to a BIS-recognized lab in India.
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The Trap: If the sample fails even one parameter of the Indian Standard during independent testing, the license will not be granted.
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Transit Damage: In many cases, samples are rejected because they were damaged during international transit due to poor packaging, making them "untestable" upon arrival in India.
6. Failure to Respond to "Queries" (Timelines)
Once an application is submitted, BIS often raises "queries" or asks for clarifications.
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The Trap: There are strict timelines (usually 15–30 days) to respond to these queries. In 2026, the digital portal automatically moves applications to the "Rejected" or "Closed" category if the manufacturer fails to provide the requested data on time.