IS 12146 BIS Certification for Carbon Manganese Steel Forgings for Pressure Vessels
Carbon Manganese Steel Forgings for Pressure Vessels made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 12146 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 12146
| Standard | IS 12146 : 1987 |
|---|---|
| Title | Specification for Carbon manganese steel forgings for pressure vessels |
| Product covered | Carbon Manganese Steel Forgings for Pressure Vessels |
| 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 12146
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 12146:1987 Specification for carbon manganese steel forgings for pressure vessels | 30 Apr 1988 | Current, next review 23 Dec 2030 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2019). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 12146
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 12146, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹55,000 |
| Medium | ₹44,000 |
| Small | ₹27,500 |
| Micro | ₹11,000 |
Unit rate: ₹18.35 per mt. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 12146
From the BIS product manual for IS 12146, which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:Tests for dimensional and tolerances shall be carried out on
ISI licences under IS 12146
BIS records 2 operative licences (2 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Punjab (2).
Testing against IS 12146
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 12146 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 12146 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 12146
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 12146 cover?
IS 12146 : 1987: Specification for Carbon manganese steel forgings for pressure vessels. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for carbon manganese steel forgings for pressure vessels.
Is BIS certification under IS 12146 mandatory?
Yes, for carbon manganese steel forgings for pressure vessels, 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 12146?
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 12146 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.
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