IS 17483 BIS Certification for Geocells
Geocells made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 17483 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 17483
| Standard | IS 17483 (Part 1): 2020, IS 17483 (Part 2): 2020 |
|---|---|
| Title | Geocells |
| Product covered | Geocells |
| Category | Geo Textiles |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Geo Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022, S.O. 1706 (E), dated 10th April, 2023 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 17483 (Part 1): 2020
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 17483 (Part 1):2020 Geosynthetics - Geocells - Specification (Part 1) Load Bearing Application | 31 Oct 2020 | Current, next review 31 Mar 2030 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2023), Second Amendment (2024). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 17483 (Part 1): 2020
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 17483 (Part 1): 2020, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹1,42,000 |
| Medium | ₹1,14,000 |
| Small | ₹71,000 |
| Micro | ₹28,400 |
Unit rate: ₹0.65 per 100 sq m.. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
ISI licences under IS 17483 (Part 1): 2020
BIS records 7 operative licences (7 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Gujarat (3), Dadra & Nagar Haveli (1), Haryana (1), Chhattisgarh (1), Uttar Pradesh (1).
Editions and amendments of IS 17483 (Part 2): 2020
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 17483 (Part 2):2020 Geosynthetics - Geocells - Specification (Part 2) Slope Erosion Protection Application, Amendment - 3 | 31 Oct 2020 | Current, next review 29 Dec 2030 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2023), Second Amendment (2024), Third Amendment (2026). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 17483 (Part 2): 2020
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 17483 (Part 2): 2020, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹1,42,000 |
| Medium | ₹1,14,000 |
| Small | ₹71,000 |
| Micro | ₹28,400 |
Unit rate: ₹0.65 per 100 sq m.. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
ISI licences under IS 17483 (Part 2): 2020
BIS records 8 operative licences (8 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Gujarat (3), Haryana (2), Dadra & Nagar Haveli (1), Chhattisgarh (1), Uttar Pradesh (1).
Testing against IS 17483
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 17483 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 17483 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 17483
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 17483 cover?
IS 17483 (Part 1): 2020, IS 17483 (Part 2): 2020: Geocells. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for geocells.
Is BIS certification under IS 17483 mandatory?
Yes, for geocells, under the Geo Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2022, S.O. 1706 (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 17483?
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 17483 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 Geo Textiles
- IS 14715 Jute Geotextiles
- IS 15351 Laminated High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Woven Geomembrane for Water Proof Lining
- IS 15869 Open Weave Coir Bhoovastra
- IS 15909 Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Geomembranes
- IS 16090 Geotextiles Used as Protection (or Cushioning) Materials
- IS 16352 High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Geomembranes for Lining
- IS 16362 Geotextiles Used in Sub-grade Stabilisation in Pavement Structures
- IS 16391 Geotextiles Used in Sub-grade Separation in Pavement Structures
- IS 16392 Geotextiles for Permanent Erosion Control in Hard Armor Systems
- IS 16393 Geotextiles Used in Subsurface Drainage Application
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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