BIS certification is not required for ordinary clothing in India. Shirts, trousers, dresses, sportswear, cycling apparel, hosiery, innerwear and school or corporate uniforms are not on any compulsory BIS list. The clothing that does need the ISI mark is protective wear named in the Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022, such as firefighter, welding and high-visibility clothing. Since 1 October 2026, electrically heated clothing also needs it, under the household electrical appliances order.
Which clothing needs BIS
| Product | BIS mandatory? | Indian Standard | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday apparel: shirts, trousers, dresses, knitwear | No | None | No order |
| Sportswear, cycling and gym apparel | No | None | No order |
| Hosiery, socks and innerwear | No | None | No order |
| School and corporate uniforms (not protective) | No | None | No order |
| Ordinary jackets and raincoats | No | None | No order |
| Fashion, sports and cycling gloves | No | None | No order |
| High visibility warning clothes | Yes, ISI mark | IS 15809:2017 | Protective Textiles (QC) Order, 2022, S.O. 1707(E) |
| Protective clothing for firefighters | Yes, ISI mark | IS 16890:2018 | S.O. 1707(E) |
| Protective clothing for industrial workers exposed to heat | Yes, ISI mark | IS 15748:2022 | S.O. 1707(E) |
| Clothing of limited flame spread materials | Yes, ISI mark | IS 15742:2007 | S.O. 1707(E) |
| Protective clothing for welding | Yes, ISI mark | IS 16655:2017 | S.O. 1707(E) |
| Bullet resistant jackets | Yes, ISI mark | IS 17051:2018 | S.O. 1707(E) |
| Multipurpose rain poncho convertible to a bivouac | Yes, ISI mark | IS 17286:2019 | S.O. 1707(E) |
| Electrically heated clothing (including battery-operated) | Yes, from 1 October 2026 | IS 302 (Part 1):2024 | Household appliances (QC) Order, 2026, S.O. 1739(E) |
| Reusable sanitary pads and period panties | Yes, ISI mark | IS 17514:2021 | Medical Textiles (QC) Order, 2024, S.O. 4634(E) |
Protective clothing: the Protective Textiles QCO
The Ministry of Textiles issued the Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022 (S.O. 1707(E)), which applies from 7 October 2023 under an amendment (S.O. 2332(E)). It names goods by type, each against its own Indian Standard. Besides the clothing in the table, it covers firefighter gloves, curtains and drapes, a tactical sling and an ammunition pouch. It does not apply to goods meant for export.
The order covers the product it names. A garment made and sold as high visibility warning clothing must meet IS 15809, which sets requirements for the materials and their configuration. A fashion jacket with reflective details is not high visibility warning clothing. Keep descriptions, labels and listings consistent with how the garment is meant to be used.
Heated clothing: covered since 1 October 2026
The Safety of Household, Commercial and Similar Electrical Appliances (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (S.O. 1739(E)) applies to household and commercial electrical appliances up to 250 V single-phase, including battery-operated ones. Its list includes “Blankets, Pads, Clothing and Similar Flexible Heating Appliances”. The matching part of the standard, IS 302 (Part 2/Sec 17):2026, covers clothing that heats the human body, including battery-operated clothing, with tests for clothing in its Annex CC.
Heated jackets, vests, gloves and socks therefore need the ISI mark from 1 October 2026, or from 1 January 2027 for small enterprises and 1 April 2027 for micro enterprises. The rechargeable battery that powers them needs its own CRS registration under IS 16046.
Medical textiles that are worn
The Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2024 (S.O. 4634(E)) covers reusable sanitary pads and period panties under IS 17514:2021, from 1 January 2025 for large and medium enterprises and 1 April 2025 for small and micro enterprises. It also covers sanitary napkins (IS 5405), baby diapers, shoe covers, dental bibs and bed sheets and pillow covers for medical use. Household bed linen is outside it: IS 17630 covers sets intended for medical use.
Fibre and yarn orders have been rescinded
Garment makers once faced Quality Control Orders on their raw materials. These have now been withdrawn:
- Polyester staple fibre and polyester yarns (spun, fully drawn, partially oriented and industrial): rescinded on 12 November 2025 by S.O. 5131(E) to S.O. 5135(E), with immediate effect.
- Viscose staple fibre: rescinded on 18 November 2025 by S.O. 5267(E).
- Cotton bales: rescinded on 9 June 2026 by S.O. 2956(E).
No fibre or yarn used for apparel is under a Quality Control Order today.
What apparel brands and importers should do
- Separate protective and heated products from the rest of the range, and license each one’s factory.
- Check product claims. Calling a garment hi-vis, flame-retardant or fire-resistant protective wear can bring it under the Protective Textiles QCO.
- Register batteries used in heated or lit clothing under CRS.
- Keep a note on file for ordinary apparel explaining that no order covers it, in case a marketplace or customs asks.
How Aaditech can help
Aaditech reviews apparel and protective-wear ranges model by model and confirms in writing which products need the ISI mark. We handle ISI and FMCS licences for protective clothing and heated apparel, including acting as Authorised Indian Representative for overseas factories. Our team includes former BIS Directors.