IS 12444 BIS Certification for Copper Wire Rods for Electrical Applications
Copper Wire Rods for Electrical Applications made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 12444 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 12444
| Standard | IS 12444:2020 |
|---|---|
| Title | Copper Wire Rods for Electrical Applications |
| Product covered | Copper Wire Rods for Electrical Applications |
| Category | Copper Products |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Copper Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 4595(E), dated 17th October 2023 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 12444
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Is 12444:2020 Copper wire rods for electrical applications — Specification ( First Revision ) Amendment - 1 | 31 Oct 2020 | Current, next review 15 Dec 2030 |
| IS 12444:1988 Copper Wire Rods for Electrical Applications — Specification ( First Revision ) | Withdrawn 20 May 2024 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2025). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 12444
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 12444, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹86,000 |
| Medium | ₹69,000 |
| Small | ₹43,000 |
| Micro | ₹17,200 |
Unit rate: ₹35.6 per tonne. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 12444
From the BIS product manual for IS 12444 (Dec 2020), which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:6m for physical tests
Tests BIS can carry out in a day during factory inspection:
- All tests INDIAN STANDARDS , 9, Bahadur Shah ZafarMarg, w Delhi – 110002 PM/ IS 12444/ 2 Dec 2020
The full type test covers every clause of IS 12444; the list above is what can be checked on site.
ISI licences under IS 12444
BIS records 19 operative licences (19 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Gujarat (7), Dadra & Nagar Haveli (3), Karnataka (2), Daman & Diu (1), Maharashtra (1).
Testing against IS 12444
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 12444 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 12444 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 12444
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 12444 cover?
IS 12444:2020: Copper Wire Rods for Electrical Applications. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for copper wire rods for electrical applications.
Is BIS certification under IS 12444 mandatory?
Yes, for copper wire rods for electrical applications, under the Copper Products (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 4595(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 12444?
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 12444 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 Copper Products
- IS 613 Copper Rods and Bars for Electrical Purposes
- IS 1545 Solid Drawn Copper and Copper Alloy Tubes for Condensers and Heat Exchangers
- IS 1897 Copper Strip for Electrical Purposes
- IS 2501 Solid Drawn Copper Tubes for General Engineering Purposes
- IS 4171 Copper Rods and Bars for General Engineering Purposes
- IS 4412 Copper Wires for General Engineering Purposes
- IS 10773 Wrought Copper Tubes for Refrigeration and Air- Conditioning Purpose
- IS 14810 Copper Tubes for Plumbing
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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