IS 16544 BIS Certification for All Glass Evacuated Tubes Solar Water Heating System
All Glass Evacuated Tubes Solar Water Heating System made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 16544 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 16544
| Standard | IS 16544: 2016 |
|---|---|
| Title | All Glass Evacuated Tubes Solar Water Heating System |
| Product covered | All Glass Evacuated Tubes Solar Water Heating System |
| Category | Solar Thermal Systems, Devices and Components |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Solar Thermal Systems, Devices and Components (Quality Control) Order, 2024, S.O. 4485(E), dated 14th October 2024 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 16544
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 16544:2016 All Glass Evacuated Tubes Solar Water Heating System | 30 Jun 2016 | Current, next review 29 May 2031 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2017), Second Amendment (2025), Third Amendment (2025). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 16544
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 16544, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹87,000 |
| Medium | ₹70,000 |
| Small | ₹43,500 |
| Micro | ₹17,400 |
Unit rate: ₹34 per piece. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 16544
From the BIS product manual for IS 16544, which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:1 No. (Also refer to Cl. 2.2 of IS 16368 for specific
Tests BIS can carry out in a day during factory inspection:
- External thermal shock test (cl. 6.2.4), Internal thermal
The full type test covers every clause of IS 16544; the list above is what can be checked on site.
ISI licences under IS 16544
BIS records 69 operative licences (71 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Gujarat (35), Karnataka (16), Maharashtra (15), Tamil Nadu (1), Haryana (1).
Testing against IS 16544
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 16544 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 16544 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 16544
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 16544 cover?
IS 16544: 2016: All Glass Evacuated Tubes Solar Water Heating System. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for all glass evacuated tubes solar water heating system.
Is BIS certification under IS 16544 mandatory?
Yes, for all glass evacuated tubes solar water heating system, under the Solar Thermal Systems, Devices and Components (Quality Control) Order, 2024, S.O. 4485(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 16544?
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 16544 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 Solar Thermal Systems, Devices and Components
- IS 12933 Solar Flat Plate Collector for Solar Water Heating Systems
- IS 16542 Storage Water Tank for All Glass Evacuated Tubes Solar Water Heating Systems
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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