IS 11946 BIS Certification for Soft Magnetic Iron Strips
Soft Magnetic Iron Strips made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 11946 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 11946
| Standard | IS 11946:1987 |
|---|---|
| Title | Soft Magnetic Iron Strips |
| Product covered | Soft Magnetic Iron Strips |
| Category | Steel and Iron Products |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2020, S.O. 756(E), dated 14-02-2020 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 11946
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 11946:1987 Specification for soft magnetic iron strips | 31 Jul 1987 | Current, next review 31 Mar 2028 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2020). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 11946
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 11946, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹84,000 |
| Medium | ₹68,000 |
| Small | ₹42,000 |
| Micro | ₹16,800 |
Unit rate: ₹168 per mt. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 11946
From the BIS product manual for IS 11946, which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:2 pieces of 500
Tests BIS can carry out in a day during factory inspection:
- All test except Magnetic Properties as per Cl 7 of IS 11946
The full type test covers every clause of IS 11946; the list above is what can be checked on site.
Testing against IS 11946
BIS inspects the factory and has samples tested to the full Indian Standard at a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory. After grant, the factory keeps testing production under the Scheme of Inspection and Testing, and BIS draws factory and market samples.
The test report has to cover every clause of IS 11946 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 11946 or replaces it with a new edition, existing licence holders move to the new edition by the date BIS sets in its notification.
How to get an ISI mark licence under IS 11946
The licence is granted to the manufacturer for a specific factory and product. Indian factories apply under Scheme-I; overseas factories apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) and must nominate an Authorised Indian Representative.
- Confirm the exact Indian Standard and the varieties to cover
- Get the product tested at a BIS-recognised lab (simplified procedure) or arrange BIS sampling
- Apply on Manak Online with factory, quality-control and test documents
- BIS factory inspection and sample verification
- Grant of licence, then marking with the ISI mark and CM/L number
Timeline. BIS targets 30 days under the simplified procedure (applying with a recent lab test report) and 90 days under the normal procedure. Overseas factories under FMCS typically take around 6 months.
Fees. Application fee ₹1,000 and annual licence fee ₹1,000, inspection charges of ₹7,000 per man-day, testing charges, and an annual minimum marking fee set for each Indian Standard (with concessions for micro and small units).
Mark. Certified products carry the ISI Standard Mark with the IS number and the CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX licence number.
Frequently asked questions
What does IS 11946 cover?
IS 11946:1987: Soft Magnetic Iron Strips. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for soft magnetic iron strips.
Is BIS certification under IS 11946 mandatory?
Yes, for soft magnetic iron strips, under the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2020, S.O. 756(E). The product needs a valid BIS licence (ISI mark) and must carry the ISI Standard Mark with the IS number and the CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX licence number.
Where is a product tested for IS 11946?
BIS inspects the factory and has samples tested to the full Indian Standard at a BIS or BIS-recognised laboratory. After grant, the factory keeps testing production under the Scheme of Inspection and Testing, and BIS draws factory and market samples.
How long does IS 11946 BIS certification take?
BIS targets 30 days under the simplified procedure (applying with a recent lab test report) and 90 days under the normal procedure. Overseas factories under FMCS typically take around 6 months.
Other standards in Steel and Iron Products
- IS 277 Galvanized Steel Sheets ( Plain and Corrugated)
- IS 280 Mild Steel Wire for General Engineering Purposes
- IS 412 Expanded Metal Steel Sheets for General Purposes
- IS 432 2 products
- IS 513 2 products
- IS 648 Cold Rolled Non-oriented Electrical Steel Sheets and Strip-fully Processed Type (CRNO)
- IS 963 Chrome Molybdenum Steel Bars and Rods for Aircraft Purposes
- IS 1029 Hot Rolled Steel Strip (bailing)
- IS 1079 Hot Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet, Plate and Strip —
- IS 1110 Ferrosilicon
Source: BIS lists of products under compulsory certification (Scheme-I, Scheme-II), checked October 2026. See the full BIS product list or all Indian Standards.
Not sure which certification your product needs?
Talk to a team led by former BIS Directors. We'll map every approval your product needs before you spend on testing.