Hinges would never come to your mind when you think about a movable door or the mechanics of an uncreaking cabinet; hinges are just there. But, in actuality, hinges are an extremely important component of the making of a house, office, automobile, or any industrial setup. They put everything together.
Recognising the need for safety and durability in hinges, the Government of India has issued an important notification that mandates the revised BIS Certification for a wide gamut of hinges from July 1, 2025. This had to be introduced to maintain the quality of the product, create safe consumer conditions, and, thus, reduce the influx of substandard imports. In other words, it was intended for the manufacturer, importer, distributor, or retailer; this change is made clear for their benefit. And you are not making any sense.
What Is BIS Certification, and Why Is It Important?
BIS certifiability stands for quality, which, depending upon product type, may ensure meeting Indian safety and performance standards. Thus, if the product carries the BIS Standard Mark (contrary to the ISI mark), the product is a testament that the goods have been tested and approved in BIS-accredited laboratories and that the manufacturing units have also undergone audits.
Coming to BIS Certification for hinges, the certification ensures that every single hinge withstands the durability standards, performance under stress, and cannot be a safety hazard. Being largely used in load-bearing applications like doors and cabinets, inferior ones can cause accidents, injuries, and sometimes an expensive repair cost. The mandate for BIS certification addresses these hazards and, in doing so, raises the benchmark for hardware products all over India.
What Will Come Into Force From July 2025?
The new Quality Control Order (QCO) is issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), effective from July 1, 2025, whereby some types of hinges shall require BIS certification. Earlier, it was staggered, depending upon the turnover of the concern, which is now simplified through one compliance timeline given under the amended order applicable for all manufacturers and sellers irrespective of their scale of operations.
So, both big manufacturers and small or micro-enterprises have to certify as per the same timelines and standards. This time, there shall be no phased manner of compliance. It will all have to be done by July.
What Hinges Are Covered?
In the scope of the revised BIS mandate are almost all classes of hinges used in the construction and furniture industries. Stainless steel butt hinges, steel and non-ferrous metal butt hinges, continuous or piano hinges, back flap hinges, tee and strap hinges, parliament hinges, spring hinges, and the latest addition to the classifications being cabinet hinges- all are types of hinges.
Depending upon the type of hinge, a specific Indian Standard has to be met; steel butt hinges have to conform to IS 1341:2018, and cabinet hinges to IS 18297:2023. The standards include quality of materials, load capacity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical performance. Sale, storage, or import of any hinge in India lacking these benchmarks or proper certification will be prohibited.
Who Needs to Comply?
For one to be covered under this mandate, they should be, or work with, the entire supply chain of hinges in India. This includes:
- Manufacturers in India are making hinges for the domestic market
- Importers bringing foreign-manufactured hinges to India
- Distributors and wholesalers
- Retailers selling hinges online or offline
BIS certification has to be obtained, and the packaging and product markings must bear the BIS Standard Mark if anyone is selling commercial quantities of any of the covered hinge types.
The only exemptions are hinges made specifically for export and limited amounts (up to 200 units per annum) imported for R&D purposes. But these exemptions have very stringent requirements for documentation, precluding their misuse for commercial trade.
Why Is This Being Enforced by the Government?
The reason for this rule is consumer safety and economic security. In recent years, India has faced a deluge of inferior quality hinges being imported primarily from countries with cheaper manufacturing. These products, besides being cost-effective, are not approved by the safety and durability checks and give rise to premature failures and risks.
The government, therefore, is endorsing BIS certification to keep substandard products away from the market, reduce accidents, and protect consumers, and at the same time, it is a strategic operation to boost the domestic manufacturing ecosystem of India and bring the brands of India into the league of companies with international quality standards.
Several of these standardization activities have been undertaken by BIS on a similar basis for electrical appliances, kitchenware, toys, and even smart meters.
What Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?
It is not a mere recommendation; it is the law. Any person who manufactures, sells, stores, or imports the hinged products that are non-compliant after July 1, 2025, shall be guilty of an offence under the BIS Act, 2016.
They may be punished with a fine of not less than ₹2 lakhs and up to imprisonment in case of repeated offence and/or in case of grave violations. These also include misleading use of the BIS mark, say, for example, falsely labelling a product as certified, while it is not. So, if you are in this space, getting your house in order now will be the best move with the new regulations.
Getting Certified for Businesses
BIS Certification involves many steps, but it can be done, particularly if you start early.
First, manufacturers send samples to BIS-recognised laboratories for testing. Test reports are then submitted for BIS consideration along with business credentials, particulars of the factory, and an application for inspection. Upon satisfactory site inspection by the BIS authorities and verification of the test reports, the license is granted. Thereafter, the manufacturer is permitted to use the BIS Standard Mark on the products.
Importers, on the other hand, need to have compliance documentation from the foreign manufacturer and customs clearance before they can apply. The services of certification consultants and testing agencies can be engaged to expedite the approval process and avoid pitfalls that could lead to rejection.
Why This Matters for the Industry
More than just being a compliance rule, the BIS certification of hinges serves as a step toward making Indian products globally competitive. It ensures the adoption of better manufacturing practices, builds credibility in the eyes of consumers, and generates opportunities for the fostering of trade.
This means Indian manufacturers could showcase better quality, in contrast to importers and distributors, that is supposed to keep pace with global standards for the industry to be driven toward standardization, safety, and sustainability over the long term.
Conclusion
By July 2025, it may almost be too late, considering the BIS certification procedure may stretch back for weeks and maybe months, all depending on what type of product and facility the applicant is maintaining. Any delay in your application can risk missing the deadline, breaking down the supply chain, or, at worst, a fine or product recall.
Induce India is here to assist you during this transition. Both documentation and BIS certification remain a headache for manufacturers, and we also have importers who just do not know their way around documentation requirements. Our compliance specialists will take care of everything for you throughout each procedure. So let’s make sure both your hinges and your business are prepared for the road ahead.
