IS 12600 BIS Certification for Low Heat Portland Cement
Low Heat Portland Cement made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 12600 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 12600
| Standard | IS 12600 |
|---|---|
| Title | Low heat Portland Cement |
| Product covered | Low Heat Portland Cement |
| Category | Cement |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Cement (Quality Control)Order, 2003, S.O. No. 191(E), dated 17 Feb 2003 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 12600
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 12600:1989 Portland Cement, Low Heat - specification | 31 Jan 1990 | Current, next review 31 Mar 2029 |
Amendments:First Amendment (1991), Second Amendment (1991), Third Amendment (1993), Fourth Amendment (2000), Fifth Amendment (2002). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Testing against IS 12600
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 12600 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 12600 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 12600
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 12600 cover?
IS 12600: Low heat Portland Cement. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for low heat portland cement.
Is BIS certification under IS 12600 mandatory?
Yes, for low heat portland cement, under the Cement (Quality Control)Order, 2003, S.O. No. 191(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 12600?
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 12600 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 Cement
- IS 269 Ordinary Portland Cement
- IS 455 Portland Slag Cement
- IS 1489 2 products
- IS 3466 Masonry Cement
- IS 6452 High Alumina Cement for Structural Use
- IS 6909 Super Sulphated Cement
- IS 8041 Rapid Hardening Portland Cement
- IS 8042 White Portland Cement
- IS 8043 Hydrophobic Portland Cement
- IS 8229 Oil Well Cement
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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