You can check any BIS registration number online for free. A CRS registration number (the “R-number” on electronics) is searched on the Registered Manufacturers page of crsbis.in, and an ISI licence number (CM/L) is searched under “Search a license” on Manak Online. Both can also be checked in the official BIS Care app. The licence document itself can only be downloaded by the licence holder, from their own portal login.
R-number vs CM/L number: which one are you looking at?
BIS runs different certification schemes, and each gives a different kind of number. If you are unsure which scheme applies to a product, start with our guide on what BIS certification is.
| CRS registration (R-number) | ISI licence (CM/L number) | |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | Compulsory Registration Scheme (Scheme-II) | Product certification (Scheme-I), the ISI mark |
| Typical products | Electronics and IT goods, solar PV products, batteries, LED products | Cement, steel, cables, appliances, toys, helmets and many others |
| How it appears | “R-” followed by a number, printed with the Standard Mark and IS number | “CM/L-” followed by a 10-digit number, printed below the ISI mark |
| Where to check | crsbis.in or BIS Care app | Manak Online or BIS Care app |
| Who it is issued to | The manufacturer, for a specific factory, brand and models | The manufacturer, for a specific factory and product |
Older ISI licences used fewer digits. A BIS public circular dated 6 September 2024 explains that these are being moved to the 10-digit series by adding zeroes at the start (1234567 becomes 0001234567), and that both forms are valid when checking authenticity during the transition. For background on the mark itself, see ISI mark full form and meaning.
How to check a CRS R-number on crsbis.in
- Go to the CRS registration page and find the “Registered Manufacturers” section, then use its “Click here” link. You can also open the List of Registered Manufacturers search directly.
- In the “Registration Number (R-)” field, enter only the numeric part, without the “R-”. The portal states that only the numeric part is to be entered.
- Leave Product Name, Model and Brand as “ALL”, or fill them in to search without a number.
- Click Search.
- Read the result. The table shows the registration number, manufacturer name and address, country, product name, IS number, date of grant, status, validity, scope of licence and brand.
- Open the scope of licence link to see the models covered. This matters: a valid R-number does not cover every model a seller attaches it to.
Manak Online’s “Search a license” page also accepts a registration number in its licence status search (see below), which is useful if crsbis.in is slow.
How to verify an ISI licence (CM/L) on Manak Online
- Open Manak Online and click Conformity Assessment (Manakonline).
- Click Search a license. This opens the Application/Licence Related reports page.
- Choose the licence status search. You can search by Licence No (the 10 digits after “CM/L-”), by Registration No. (R-number), or by Name of Firm (CM/L licences only).
- Enter the captcha and click Generate Report.
- Check the licence number, firm name and address, IS number, validity date and status in the result.
The same page has other tabs that help with due diligence, including List of Licences (filter by state, IS number and status: Operative, Deferred or Under Stop Marking), Licences Cancelled/Expired and List of Licencees (Foreign Manufacturers).
How to verify with the BIS Care app
BIS Care is the official BIS app, available free on Google Play and the App Store. According to the BIS description of the app:
- Install the app and complete the one-time registration with your name and mobile number, verified by OTP.
- For an ISI product, open Verify Licence Details, enter the CM/L number and tap Go.
- For an electronics product, use the R-number verification under CRS, enter the R-number and tap Go.
- Where available, scan the QR code on the licence document issued by BIS.
- If something looks wrong, use the Complaints section to report misuse of the ISI mark, CRS mark or Hallmark.
The app also lets you look up registered manufacturers under CRS by product, model and brand. Menu labels can change between app versions, so look for the nearest equivalent if a name differs.
What to do if the number does not match, or the licence has expired
A search can give you four results: a match, a mismatch, an inactive status, or nothing at all.
| Result | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No record found | Typing error, old 7-digit CM/L, or a fake number | Re-enter the number (try with and without leading zeroes), then ask the supplier for the licence copy |
| Different firm or product | The number belongs to someone else | Treat as a red flag; do not buy or list until explained |
| Model or brand missing from scope | The registration does not cover that model | Ask the manufacturer for an inclusion approval or test report |
| Expired, cancelled, deferred or under stop marking | The mark cannot be used on new production | Stop purchases and check the date of manufacture |
As a rule, the Standard Mark may only be applied while the licence or registration is valid and operative. Goods made after expiry, cancellation or a stop-marking order should not carry the mark.
Why importers and e-commerce sellers should check
For products under a Quality Control Order or the CRS Order, goods without a valid licence cannot be sold, imported or distributed in India. That liability does not stop with the manufacturer. Importers can face problems at customs clearance, and marketplace sellers may be asked for licence details by the platform. A two-minute check before placing a purchase order, and again before each renewal date, is far cheaper than a seized consignment or a delisted product. If you are not sure whether your product needs a licence at all, see does my product need BIS, or try our licence check tool to see which scheme applies.
How licence holders download their BIS certificate
Only the licence holder (or its authorised representative) can download the licence document. It is not available as a public download.
ISI licences (Manak Online):
- Go to the Manak Online login and sign in with your username, password and captcha.
- Click Product Certification.
- Open the Licenses View option to see your granted licences, with the CM/L number and validity date.
- Open the relevant licence to access its details and documents. BIS training material states that the licence document is sent through Manak Online; the exact button for saving it can vary as the portal is updated.
CRS registrations (crsbis.in): the registration is granted through the manufacturer’s account on the CRS portal, so the grant letter is accessed by logging in to that account. If the factory login is held by an overseas manufacturer, the Authorised Indian Representative should keep a current copy for customs and marketplace requests.
Red flags of a fake BIS certificate
- The number does not appear on crsbis.in, Manak Online or BIS Care after checking for typing errors.
- The firm name or address differs from the supplier you are dealing with, and no brand authorisation is offered.
- The model is not in the scope of licence even though the R-number is genuine.
- Validity has passed or the status is not operative.
- Marking is incomplete. Under the CRS marking guidelines, the Standard Mark should carry the IS number and R-number, with www.bis.gov.in on the product or package. An ISI mark should carry the CM/L number.
- Only a PDF or screenshot is offered and the supplier resists you checking it on the official portal.
- A “certificate” from a private agency is presented as BIS approval. BIS licences are issued by BIS only. For how the genuine ISI process works, see our ISI mark certification guide, and for electronics, the BIS CRS registration process.
How Aaditech can help
Aaditech helps manufacturers, importers and brand owners get and keep BIS registrations, and can check a supplier’s R-number or CM/L licence against the official records before you buy or list. If your own registration is close to expiry, missing models, or needs a new licence altogether, see our BIS CRS registration service.