IS 1659 BIS Certification for Block Boards
Block Boards made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 1659 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 1659
| Standard | IS 1659:2004 |
|---|---|
| Title | Block Boards |
| Product covered | Block Boards |
| 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 1659
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 1659:2004 Block boards - Specification (Fourth Revision) Amendment No - 3 | 31 Aug 2004 | Current, next review 15 Oct 2029 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2009), Second Amendment (2011), Third Amendment (2026). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 1659
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 1659, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹73,000 |
| Medium | ₹59,000 |
| Small | ₹36,500 |
| Micro | ₹14,600 |
Unit rate: ₹0.36 per sq. m. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 1659
From the BIS product manual for IS 1659, which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:One Block Board
Raw material requirements:
- Adhesive – IS 848
ISI licences under IS 1659
BIS records 561 operative licences (598 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Haryana (123), Gujarat (121), Uttar Pradesh (78), Punjab (44), West Bengal (42).
Testing against IS 1659
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 1659 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 1659 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 1659
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 1659 cover?
IS 1659:2004: Block Boards. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for block boards.
Is BIS certification under IS 1659 mandatory?
Yes, for block boards, 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 1659?
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 1659 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 3087 Particle Boards of Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Materials (medium Density) for General Purpose
- IS 3097 Veneered Particle Boards
- IS 12406 Medium Density Fibre Boards for General Purpose
- 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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