IS 16655 BIS Certification for Protective Clothing for Use in Welding and Allied Processes
Protective Clothing for Use in Welding and Allied Processes made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 16655 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 16655
| Standard | IS 16655 : 2017 |
|---|---|
| Title | Protective Clothing for use in welding and allied processes |
| Product covered | Protective Clothing for Use in Welding and Allied Processes |
| Category | Protective Textiles |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022, S.O. 1707(E), dated 10th April, 2023 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 16655
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 16655:2017 Textiles - Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes | 30 Apr 2017 | Current, next review 30 Apr 2027 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2022), Second Amendment (2024). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 16655
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 16655, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹1,53,000 |
| Medium | ₹1,23,000 |
| Small | ₹76,500 |
| Micro | ₹30,600 |
Unit rate: ₹12 per piece. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
ISI licences under IS 16655
BIS records 2 operative licences (3 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Tamil Nadu (1), West Bengal (1).
Testing against IS 16655
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 16655 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 16655 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 16655
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 16655 cover?
IS 16655 : 2017: Protective Clothing for use in welding and allied processes. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes.
Is BIS certification under IS 16655 mandatory?
Yes, for protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes, under the Protective Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022, S.O. 1707(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 16655?
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 16655 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 Protective Textiles
- IS 15741 Curtains and Drapes
- IS 15742 Clothing Made of Limited Flame Spread Materials and Material Assemblies Affording Protection Against Heat and Flame
- IS 15748 Protective Clothing for Industrial Workers Exposed to Heat
- IS 15809 High Visibility Warning Clothes
- IS 16725 Tactical 3 Point Sling
- IS 16726 Pouch for Ammunition and Grenades Made of Disruptive Pattern nylon-66
- IS 16874 Protective Gloves for Firefighters
- IS 16890 Protective Clothing for Firefighters
- IS 17051 Bullet Resistant Jackets
- IS 17286 Water-proof Multipurpose Rain Poncho
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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