How to Verify an ISI Mark: Check a BIS Licence Number

The ISI mark is one of the most familiar symbols in Indian shops, printed on everything from electric irons to pressure cookers and helmets. It is also one of the most copied. A few seconds with your phone can tell you whether the mark is backed by a real licence. This guide explains how to verify an ISI mark, what the numbers mean, and what to do if a mark turns out to be fake.

What the ISI mark is

The ISI mark is the Standard Mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s national standards body, under its product certification scheme. When a manufacturer holds a valid BIS licence, it may print the ISI mark on products that conform to the relevant Indian Standard.

For many products, certification is compulsory. The government issues Quality Control Orders that make BIS certification mandatory for particular product categories; over the years these have covered items such as many electrical accessories, household appliances, pressure cookers, two-wheeler helmets, cement and steel products, and some toys. The list changes, so check the BIS website for the current position on any product.

How to read the mark

A genuine ISI mark on a product or label normally includes:

• The IS number above the mark, showing which Indian Standard the product meets. You can look the standard up on the BIS website to see what it covers.
• The ISI symbol itself.
• A licence number below the mark, usually in the form CM/L- followed by digits.

If there is a symbol but no licence number, or the numbers are smudged or printed as part of a sticker that peels off, be cautious.

How to verify an ISI mark in the BIS Care app

The BIS Care app is the official consumer app from BIS, free on Android and iOS.

1. Install BIS Care from the official app store and open it.
2. Choose the option to verify licence details.
3. Enter the CM/L licence number exactly as printed.
4. Read the result: licence holder name and address, product, Indian Standard, and whether the licence is operative.
5. Compare it with the product in your hand. The brand, product type and standard should all match.

If the app shows a licence for a different product or company, an expired or cancelled licence, or no result at all, do not buy the item.

ISI mark vs other BIS marks

BIS runs several schemes, and different marks appear on different products:

• ISI mark: product certification with a CM/L licence number.
• Standard Mark under the Compulsory Registration Scheme: used on many electronics such as mobile chargers, power banks and LED products, with a registration number starting R-. Our Kota mobile market guide explains how to check these.
• Hallmark: for gold and silver jewellery, with a HUID. See our guides to the gold hallmark and silver hallmark.

All of these can be checked in the BIS Care app.

Warning signs of a fake mark

• No licence number, or one that does not return a result.
• Licence for another product: a switch licence printed on a heater, for example.
• Brand mismatch: the licence holder is a different company from the brand on the box, without any explanation such as a named manufacturer.
• Poor printing: blurred, misspelled or crooked marks.
• Very low price for a product category that is usually more expensive.

Questions to ask the seller

A good seller will answer these without fuss:

• Who made this? The maker’s name and address should be on the product or box, along with the licence details.
• Is this item under compulsory certification? If the seller is unsure, check the BIS website.
• Will you write the brand and model on the bill? That links the product you bought to the licence you checked.
• What happens if it fails early? A clear answer, written on the bill, is worth more than a verbal promise.

Buying online

Online listings often show product photos without the mark clearly visible. Before you order an item that needs certification, look for the IS number and licence number in the listing details or images, or ask the seller through the platform. When it arrives, check the mark in the BIS Care app straight away and use the return window if it does not match. Our online shopping return policy guide explains your rights if a product is not as described.

Where it matters most in Kota

• Home renovation: wires, switches, MCBs and pipes. Our checklist for hiring an electrician or plumber explains why certified materials matter.
• Student rooms: extension boards, kettles and heaters. See our student room essentials guide.
• Two-wheelers: helmets.
• Festive lighting around Diwali; our Diwali shopping checklist covers this.

Product guides that use these checks

Some products deserve their own checklist on top of the ISI check:

• Two-wheeler helmets must be certified to IS 4151. Our guide on how to choose an ISI helmet covers the licence check and getting the fit right.
• LPG regulators and hoses: our LPG cylinder guide explains the test due code on the cylinder and safe use at home.
• Room heaters, geysers and electric blankets: our winter shopping guide covers choosing and using them safely.

If you have already bought a product with a fake mark

1. Keep the product, packaging and bill.
2. Go back to the seller and ask for a refund; a product falsely marked is not as described.
3. Report the mark to BIS through the complaint option in the BIS Care app or the BIS website, with photos.
4. If the seller refuses, register a grievance with the National Consumer Helpline. Our consumer complaint guide takes you through the steps.

Misuse of a BIS Standard Mark is an offence under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, so reports are taken seriously. A two-minute check before paying is still the easiest protection.