BIS Certification for Shoes: A Complete Guide to ISI Approval


  • BIS certification of shoes verifies that the footwear conforms to IS standards for consumer safety and quality.

  • It is required of importers and manufacturers to obtain BIS approval under the ISI Mark scheme for specific shoes.

  • Diligence Certification helps in documentation, laboratory testing, and hassle-free BIS compliance of shoes in India.

Introduction

A Mumbai importer of leather shoes was stopped in early 2023 at the Nhava Sheva Port. The consignment was intercepted by Customs because it did not meet BIS standards. The consequence? ₹25 lakhs of stock held up for months, a steep financial loss, and an official warning.

This is not an isolated incident. With the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) tightening norms for compliance, domestic manufacturers and importers of footwear can no longer opt out of mandatory BIS certification for footwear. From school shoes for children to sports shoes, leather sandals, and industrial safety footwear, without the ISI Mark, business operations can come to a halt.

Why BIS Certification for Shoes Is Now Critical

The BIS certification, according to the ISI Mark Scheme, ensures that footwear conforms to Indian Standards (IS) in terms of durability, safety, comfort, and material quality. As imports, particularly from China, increase, the Government of India has introduced this compulsory certification for certain categories of footwear.

What changed?

  • In October 2020, the Ministry of Commerce notified Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for footwear.

  • BIS certification is now necessary for many categories under IS 15298, IS 3735, IS 5676, and so on.

  • It may result in port seizure, a fine, and cancellation of import licenses.

What Is BIS Certification for Shoes?

The BIS certification is a mark of conformity that tells that the shoe product conforms to the Indian Standard (IS) as stated by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The process involves:

  • Sample testing in BIS-recognised labs

  • Factory inspection or, in some cases, batch testing for imports

  • Application and scrutiny by BIS officials

Once granted, the product bears the ISI Mark, ensuring consumers that the product is safe, durable, and compliant.

BIS certification for shoes is a mandatory quality assurance process, where footwear must meet specific IS standards and display the ISI Mark before sale in India.

Shoe Categories Covered Under BIS Certification

Shoe Type

IS Standard

ISI Mark Mandatory?

Leather safety shoes

IS 15298 (Part 1 & 2)

Yes

PVC sandals

IS 6721

Yes

Rubber chappals

IS 10702

Yes

School shoes (Children)

IS 3735

Yes

Sports shoes

Proposed under IS 15844

Expected Soon

Industrial boots

IS 12254

Yes

“Which types of shoes need BIS certification in India?”

Applicable Indian Standards (IS) for Shoes

Knowing the exact IS code is vital before filing your application.

IS Code

Title

IS 15298

Safety footwear for professional use

IS 3735

Shoes for school-going children

IS 6721

PVC sandals

IS 10702

Rubber footwear (chappals, slippers)

IS 12254

Rubber boots for industrial workers

IS 5676

Leather sandals & chappals

BIS regularly updates these codes. Always verify via the BIS.gov.in portal or consult Diligence Certification.

 Documents Required for BIS Certification for Shoes

Here’s a checklist of documents that importers/manufacturers must prepare:

For Manufacturers:

  • Factory license (with product scope)

  • MSME or Udyam Registration

  • ISO 9001 Certificate (preferred)

  • Product specifications (materials, usage)

  • Test reports from BIS-approved labs

  • In-house testing facility details

  • Trademark Registration (if any)

  • Authorisation letter (if filing via a consultant)

For Importers:

  • IEC (Import Export Code)

  • Purchase invoice from overseas supplier

  • Customs documents

  • Sample test report (from a BIS-recognised lab in India)

  • Undertaking of compliance

 BIS Certification Process for Shoes

Here’s how the BIS certification process works, step-by-step:

🔹 For Indian Manufacturers:

  1. Application Filing on BIS portal (Form V)

  2. Factory Audit by BIS officer

  3. Product Sampling and lab testing

  4. Report Review and Compliance Check

  5. Grant of License with ISI Mark permission

🔹 For Importers:

  1. Application Submission (simplified Form VI)

  2. Sample Testing in an Indian lab

  3. Scrutiny of customs & import details

  4. BIS Grant of Registration

  5. Labeling with ISI Mark before clearance

Read our complete BIS Certification Process Guide

 Validity and Renewal of BIS Certification for Shoes

  • The initial BIS license is valid for 1 year.

  • Can be renewed for up to 5 years, based on compliance.

  • Renewal must be done 30 days before expiry, with fresh test reports.

 Eligibility Criteria for BIS Shoe Certification

To qualify for BIS certification:

  • The product must fall under a notified IS Standard.

  • The manufacturer must have testing arrangements or agree to external lab testing.

  • For imports, test samples must be India-tested.

  • BIS does not accept third-party sellers—only OEMs or importers.

 Benefits of BIS Certification for Shoes

  •  Legal Compliance: Meet India's Quality Control Orders

  •  Market Entry: Enables port clearance and retail sales

  •  Brand Credibility: ISI Mark boosts consumer trust

  •  Export Leverage: Countries like UAE & Nepal recognise BIS

  •  Reduced Returns: BIS ensures product quality and lowers complaints

     “What are the advantages of getting BIS certification for shoes?”

 BIS on Shoes Import: What Importers Must Know

The customs department now works closely with BIS. Any shoe shipment without ISI marking under QCO-covered categories will be detained.

  • Ensure sample is tested in BIS lab before arrival

  • ISI Mark must be pre-printed on packaging

  • Keep original BIS certificate ready during customs clearance

Diligence Certification helped a Gurgaon-based e-commerce startup unblock a ₹50L shipment by quickly coordinating their BIS application, retesting, and customs compliance in under 20 days.

 Real Brand Scenarios

  • Bata India Ltd. transitioned all safety footwear lines to IS 15298-compliant versions in FY22.

  • Relaxo Footwears publicly shared BIS testing strategies for their rubber chappals.

  • Metro Shoes now co-labels its imported leather sandals with an ISI hologram tag to ensure customs clearance.


Conclusion: 

Whether you're a startup launching a shoe brand or an importer expanding into India, BIS certification for shoes isn’t just a legal requirement — it's a trust signal for buyers and authorities alike.

At Diligence Certification, we help you navigate testing, documentation, and licensing — so you can focus on growing your brand without fear of customs seizures or BIS rejections.

Need fast, expert BIS assistance?
 Contact our footwear compliance team at DiligenceCertification.com today.

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