Publishing on Amazon or Flipkart seems simple, but until you encounter a listing that gets rejected or even removed after it has begun to sell, you will have no idea what is going on. In many product categories, this is as simple as a lack of BIS compliance. Before listing on any of these platforms, it is crucial to understand exactly what they need.
The reasons why eCommerce platforms need to adhere to BIS regulations
It is not just a matter of “caution” for Amazon and Flipkart to implement BIS regulations. They are legally obliged to make sure that everything listed on their platform is in compliance with Indian laws and regulations, including BIS certification in applicable categories, since they are operating in India. These obligations were particularly highlighted following the regulatory action against various platforms on the largest platform warehouses that revealed the presence of non-certified products for sale to the public. For sellers, there is no hiding the fact that compliance is no longer optional – it needs to be an integral part of the business.
Certain products undergo BIS certification while others don’t
The BIS rules for eCommerce platforms are mostly used for electronics, lighting, home appliances and children’s products. They can be mobile chargers, power banks, LED lights, household electrical appliances, and other various electronic accessories. The list of categories included is growing, and 2026 will include stricter rules for various categories, from audio products to IT, furniture, and everyday products. It is best to check before you purchase inventory, especially if you’re not certain whether your particular product is a mandatory category or not, as this can save lots of trouble later.
Amazon’s List Requirements
Amazon India mandates that sellers provide the BIS licence details and images of the ISI mark for all the items that are in a mandatory certification category, before listing the product. That means that you can not get a product photo and description and simply send it and expect it to be accepted. Amazon’s system is designed to identify which categories are relevant and ask for relevant compliance documentation during this listing process, so it’s best to have the certification ready in advance to avoid back-and-forths.
Before listing your product on Flipkart, you need to ensure that you meet the following requirements:
Flipkart has a dedicated compliance portal; sellers have to upload BIS certificates for products which are categorised as mandatory. In addition to documentation, Flipkart will directly hold sellers responsible and won’t allow them to list a product covered by such documentation unless either they or the original manufacturer has the appropriate BIS license for the item. This is relevant to sellers who obtain products from manufacturers because this needs to be done properly to ensure the certification will reach a valid license holder.
The Real Cost of Non-Compliance
For some sellers, it is possible that they may be able to list first and then worry about certification if they are flagged. This can be very risky. Sellers who are discovered listing uncertified required products will have their accounts suspended and may be subject to legal penalties, and platforms carry out regular checks. On platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart, if the seller is found with uncertified products, his or her listing is removed and can adversely affect the seller rating. In addition to the obvious listing disruption, it can impact buyer trust and your account’s overall metrics when it comes to long-term performance.
Another requirement to know: Legal Metrology
There are other compliance layers that sellers must take into account other than BIS. Pre-packaged goods sellers will also have to obtain a Legal Metrology Registration certificate from Amazon and Flipkart for providing proper labelling and packaging declarations. Platforms have been tightening up enforcement of this requirement throughout 2026, and measures may be further tightened in the future. The sellers of packaged consumer goods should plan to get this in addition to BIS certification, as it is beneficial.
The steps you’ll need to take to be compliant before listing
The best way to do this is to view the certification as a part of your product launch schedule and not an afterthought. The first step is to check the mandatory standards for BIS certification of your product category. If it does, have your products tested at an approved lab and obtain the required BIS license either under the ISI Mark or CRS scheme, depending on the type of product manufactured. After certification, store copies of your license and testing reports as they will be required by both Amazon and Flipkart when listing your products.
Determine the reasons behind early certification that save time and money
BIS certification is typically most cost-effective for online-first companies and D2C brands when it comes to getting certified early in the product development lifecycle, before the company goes to market. By certifying at the last minute, after the inventory has been built, you may find that you are launching a product only to find that there are delays in launch, the product remains unsold and even in some instances, costly changes must be made to the product after manufacture to comply with the standards you have not planned for.
Online sale of imported products
When you’re importing products for sale on these platforms, it’s even more critical to consider compliance. If the product falls under the mandatory list of BIS and is not published with a valid certificate, then it will be refused clearance at the Indian customs. This could result in a shipment being stuck at the border long before it arrives at the importers’ warehouse and could make early certification even more important for importers than domestic manufacturers.
How Does India Make This Easier?
Fulfilling BIS and Legal Metrology compliance requirements can easily add up to a lot of work for e-commerce sellers, especially those who also have to deal with sourcing, listings, and platform approvals. We can guide online sellers on what certifications their products need, manage the testing and application process, and prepare documentation to meet the compliance format of Amazon and Flipkart.
Conclusion
BIS Marking is not a process which e-commerce sellers can go through, but it is a requirement which plays a crucial role in the listing of your products on the largest platforms of India. Contact Induce India to get your compliance sorted before listing so that your business can be on the rise without compliance hurdles.
