Furniture products notified under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 require a mandatory BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I before sale or import in India. The order, issued by the DPIIT on 13 February 2025, covers six categories — work chairs, general purpose chairs and stools, tables and desks, storage units, beds, and bunk beds — each governed by its own Indian Standard (IS 17631:2022 through IS 17636:2022). Importers cannot apply directly and must obtain a copy of the certificate from the manufacturer; foreign manufacturers apply through the Foreign Manufacturer's Certification Scheme via an Authorized Indian Representative. Two 2026 amendments — dated 12 February and 2 March — introduced a limited R&D import allowance, an export-furniture component exemption, MSME provisions, and transitional relief for pre-existing purchase orders.
Furniture sits in nearly every home, office, hotel, and classroom across India, and as demand for reliable, durable furniture keeps growing, so has government scrutiny of the products filling that demand. In February 2025, the government introduced mandatory quality requirements for six specific furniture categories, bringing furniture into the same compulsory-certification regime that already covers hundreds of other consumer products.
This guide walks through what BIS certification for furniture actually requires — which products are covered, which Indian Standards apply, what changed in the 2026 amendments, the document checklist, the certification process, and how obligations differ between manufacturers and importers.
📑 Quick Navigation
- Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Furniture?
- What Is the Furniture QCO, 2025?
- Covered Products & Applicable Standards
- Who Needs BIS Certification for Furniture?
- 2026 Amendments to the Furniture QCO
- Certification Requirements
- Certification Process
- Document Checklist
- Common Compliance Challenges
- How Rego Services Supports Your Certification
- Frequently Asked Questions
Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Furniture in India?
Yes — for furniture products notified under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025. The QCO requires the specified furniture products to conform to their corresponding Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
This does not mean every furniture item sold in India automatically needs BIS certification. Businesses should first identify the exact product and confirm whether it falls within the notified scope before assuming compliance is required.
What Is the Furniture Quality Control Order, 2025?
The BIS Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 was issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on 13 February 2025. It requires the specified furniture products to conform to the applicable Indian Standards and carry the BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I.
The original order was scheduled to take effect twelve months after publication — 13 February 2026 — and included provisions relating to exports and certain MSME categories. Businesses should read the original QCO alongside the amendments and transition provisions covered below.
Which Furniture Products Require BIS Certification?
The Furniture QCO covers six specific categories, each governed by its own Indian Standard:
| Furniture Product | Applicable Indian Standard |
|---|---|
| Work Chairs | IS 17631:2022 |
| General Purpose Chairs and Stools | IS 17632:2022 |
| Tables and Desks | IS 17633:2022 |
| Storage Units | IS 17634:2022 |
| Beds | IS 17635:2022 |
| Bunk Beds | IS 17636:2022 |
The QCO also applies the latest version of each standard, including any amendments BIS notifies from time to time. Manufacturers should always verify the current standard revision before preparing an application.
Covers performance and construction requirements for work chairs.
Covers dimensions, strength, stability, durability, and other performance characteristics for general purpose chairs and stools.
Sets out the applicable BIS certification requirements for tables and desks.
Covers construction and long-term performance requirements for storage units.
Applicable to beds notified under the Furniture QCO.
Sets out the relevant BIS conformity requirements for bunk beds.
Who Needs BIS Certification for Furniture?
The requirement applies to businesses manufacturing or supplying notified furniture products in the Indian market:
Must obtain the applicable BIS license and comply with the relevant Indian Standard before using the BIS Standard Mark on any notified product.
Must check the applicable BIS scheme for their product and location — certification is typically granted under the Foreign Manufacturer's Certification Scheme (FMCS).
Cannot obtain a BIS license directly and must request a copy from the manufacturer. Importing from an overseas manufacturer, or holding a foreign compliance report, does not by itself satisfy India's BIS requirement.
Foreign manufacturers must appoint an AIR to proceed with the BIS application and obtain the ISI mark certificate under the FMCS scheme.
What Are the 2026 Updates to the Furniture QCO?
The Furniture QCO has seen two significant amendments during 2026, both relevant to manufacturers, importers, and businesses managing existing inventory or specialised imports.
February 2026 Amendment
- The Furniture (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2026, dated 12 February 2026, added several new provisions.
- A limited R&D import allowance permits up to 200 units per financial year for research and development purposes by a BIS-certified furniture manufacturer or an applicant for certification.
- Such goods cannot be commercially sold and must be disposed of as scrap, with year-wise records maintained and furnished to the Central Government.
- A specific exemption also covers certain non-BIS-marked materials, components, or sub-assemblies imported for furniture intended for export, subject to declaration, record-keeping, and restrictions on domestic use or sale.
MSME Provision
- The February 2026 amendment also introduced changes for MSMEs registered on the Udyam Portal.
- The exemption is linked to specified investment and turnover thresholds and should be checked against the current notification and the manufacturer's actual status.
March 2026 Second Amendment
- The Furniture (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2026, dated 2 March 2026, added transitional provisions for imports connected to pre-existing purchase orders.
- Eligible consignments reference purchase orders issued before the relevant implementation date, along with Bills of Lading and Bills of Entry falling within a specified 180-day period.
- Importers must also provide supporting documents to BIS within the prescribed period after clearance.
What Are the BIS Certification Requirements for Furniture?
For notified products, BIS certification requires the product to demonstrate conformity with the applicable Indian Standard and meet the specific regulatory conditions, which may include:
- Dimensional compliance — Meeting the specified size and construction parameters.
- Structural strength — Withstanding rated loads without failure.
- Stability — Resisting tipping under normal use conditions.
- Durability — Sustaining repeated use over the product's expected lifespan.
- Load-bearing performance — Meeting weight-capacity requirements for the product category.
- Material and construction requirements — Using materials and build methods that satisfy the applicable standard.
- Surface or finish requirements — Meeting applicable surface-quality specifications.
- Safety-related performance — Addressing hazards specific to the furniture category.
The exact requirements depend on the applicable Indian Standard and BIS product manual. Certification is product-specific — a manufacturer should never assume certification of one furniture category automatically covers another.
What Is the BIS Certification Process for Furniture?
Determine whether the furniture is one of the six products notified under the BIS Furniture QCO.
Match the product to the correct standard, such as IS 17631:2022 for work chairs or IS 17635:2022 for beds.
Prepare technical specifications, drawings, materials, construction details, and product variants for the application.
Samples of the notified product are tested against the applicable Indian Standard and BIS certification procedure.
File the application with the required documents through the applicable BIS certification process.
BIS may evaluate manufacturing facilities, production controls, testing arrangements, and quality-control systems.
Once requirements are satisfactorily met, BIS grants the license permitting use of the Standard Mark under the licence conditions.
Document Checklist
The exact documents required depend on the product, manufacturer, and certification route, but commonly include:
- Legal address proof of the factory — Confirming the manufacturing facility's registered location.
- Product specifications — Technical details of the specific furniture product and variants.
- Raw material, machinery, and testing equipment details — Documentation of what the facility uses in production and testing.
- QC staff and basic factory details — Information about quality control personnel and facility operations.
- Lab test reports — Product testing results demonstrating conformance to the applicable IS standard.
- Main Application Form V — The formal BIS application document.
- ISI application fee — The prescribed fee accompanying the application.
- Authorized Indian Representative appointment — Required for foreign manufacturers submitting an application.
Common BIS Compliance Challenges for Furniture Businesses
Furniture manufacturers and importers often run into compliance issues when BIS requirements are considered only after production or shipment planning has already begun. Common pitfalls include:
- Selecting the wrong Indian Standard for the product
- Assuming all furniture products need the same certification
- Ignoring product variants within a single range
- Incomplete or inconsistent technical documentation
- Incorrect product classification at the outset
- Testing samples that do not represent production models
- Insufficient or poorly sequenced testing arrangements
- Confusing the ISI Mark with ISO certification
- Using the BIS Standard Mark before the license is granted
- Failing to maintain records not required under an exemption
Starting BIS compliance planning early helps a business determine whether the product is covered by the QCO, which standard applies, what testing is required, whether the factory has the necessary facilities, which documents need preparing, whether any exemption applies, and what the likely certification timeline looks like. This is especially important for importers, since BIS compliance should be checked before shipment — not after goods arrive in India.
How Rego Services Supports Your BIS Certification
Rego Services Private Limited helps furniture manufacturers, importers, and businesses understand and obtain BIS certification for products notified under the Furniture QCO, 2025.
- Applicability confirmation — We confirm whether your specific product falls within the notified scope and identify the correct Indian Standard.
- Documentation preparation — We prepare the complete document set, including Form V, product specifications, and QC details.
- Laboratory testing coordination — We manage sample submission and testing with BIS-accredited laboratories.
- Factory evaluation support — We help prepare your facility and team for BIS assessment.
- Foreign manufacturer / AIR services — We can act as your Authorized Indian Representative and manage the FMCS application end-to-end.
- Importer guidance — We help you coordinate with your manufacturer and verify compliance before shipment, not after.
- Amendment tracking — We keep you current on QCO amendments, exemptions, and transitional provisions as they're notified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BIS certification mandatory for furniture in India?
Yes, for furniture products notified under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025. These products must conform to their applicable Indian Standards and bear the BIS Standard Mark under Scheme-I. Not every furniture type is automatically covered, so businesses must confirm applicability first.
Which furniture products are covered under the Furniture QCO?
Six categories: work chairs (IS 17631:2022), general purpose chairs and stools (IS 17632:2022), tables and desks (IS 17633:2022), storage units (IS 17634:2022), beds (IS 17635:2022), and bunk beds (IS 17636:2022).
Does imported furniture require BIS certification?
Yes, if the product falls within the notified categories. Importers cannot obtain a BIS license directly and must request a copy from the manufacturer. A foreign compliance report does not replace the BIS requirement.
Which BIS standard applies to office chairs?
Work chairs, which include most office chairs, fall under IS 17631:2022. General purpose chairs and stools fall under the separate IS 17632:2022 standard.
Is BIS certification required for tables and desks?
Yes. Tables and desks notified under the Furniture QCO must conform to IS 17633:2022 and meet the applicable BIS certification requirements.
Are there exemptions under the Furniture QCO?
The February 2026 amendment introduced a limited R&D import allowance (up to 200 units per financial year), an export-furniture component exemption, and MSME provisions linked to Udyam registration. The March 2026 amendment added transitional relief for pre-existing purchase orders.
What is the process for BIS certification of furniture?
Identify the notified product category, identify the applicable Indian Standard, prepare product specifications, arrange product testing, submit the BIS application, undergo factory evaluation, and receive the license to use the Standard Mark.
✓ Key Takeaways
- The Furniture (Quality Control) Order, 2025 makes BIS certification mandatory for six notified furniture categories
- Each category has its own Indian Standard — IS 17631:2022 through IS 17636:2022
- Importers cannot apply directly and must rely on the manufacturer's certificate
- Foreign manufacturers apply under the FMCS Scheme through an appointed AIR
- Two 2026 amendments added an R&D import allowance, an export-component exemption, MSME provisions, and transitional purchase-order relief
- Certification is product-specific — one category's certificate does not cover another
- Rego Services provides end-to-end support — applicability confirmation, documentation, testing coordination, and AIR services
Your Next Step
BIS certification for furniture is manageable once the applicable category, standard, and documentation are sequenced correctly from the start. Whether you're a manufacturer preparing your first application or an importer verifying compliance before shipment, getting these fundamentals right early keeps the process moving smoothly.
Rego Services' regulatory team brings the expertise to manage your complete BIS compliance journey — from applicability confirmation through testing, factory evaluation, and license grant — so your furniture products reach the Indian market on schedule.
Contact Rego Services today to begin your BIS certification for furniture and stay compliant under the Furniture QCO, 2025.