IS 12406 BIS Certification for Medium Density Fibre Boards for General Purpose
Medium Density Fibre Boards for General Purpose made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 12406 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 12406
| Standard | IS 12406:2021 |
|---|---|
| Title | Medium density fibre boards for general purpose |
| Product covered | Medium Density Fibre Boards for General Purpose |
| Category | Wood Based Boards |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Wood Based Boards (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 3604(E), dated 10th August 2023 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 12406
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 12406:2025 Medium Density Fibre Boards of Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Materials for General Purpose - Specification ( Third Revision ) | 19 Aug 2025 | Current, next review 31 Aug 2030 |
| IS 12406:2021 Medium density fibre boards for general purpose - Specification | 31 Aug 2021 | Current, next review 31 Mar 2026 |
| IS 12406:2003 Medium density fibre boards for general purpose - Specification (First Revision) | Withdrawn 14 Mar 2022 |
BIS lists 2 current editions of IS 12406. During a changeover both can be used until the date BIS sets for moving to the newer one.
No amendments to the current edition are listed by BIS.
Marking fee for IS 12406
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 12406, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹46,000 |
| Medium | ₹37,000 |
| Small | ₹23,000 |
| Micro | ₹9,200 |
Unit rate: ₹17.3 per ton. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
ISI licences under IS 12406
BIS records 58 operative licences (60 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Uttarakhand (16), Haryana (14), Andhra Pradesh (8), Gujarat (4), Uttar Pradesh (4).
Testing against IS 12406
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 12406 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 12406 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 12406
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 12406 cover?
IS 12406:2021: Medium density fibre boards for general purpose. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for medium density fibre boards for general purpose.
Is BIS certification under IS 12406 mandatory?
Yes, for medium density fibre boards for general purpose, under the Wood Based Boards (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 3604(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 12406?
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 12406 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 Wood Based Boards
- IS 1659 Block Boards
- IS 3087 Particle Boards of Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Materials (medium Density) for General Purpose
- IS 3097 Veneered Particle Boards
- IS 12823 Prelaminated Particle Boards from Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Material
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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