IS 252 BIS Certification for Caustic Soda
Caustic Soda made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 252 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 252
| Standard | IS 252:2013 |
|---|---|
| Title | Caustic Soda |
| Product covered | Caustic Soda |
| Category | Chemicals, Fertilizers, Polymers & Textiles |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Bureau of Indian Standard (Caustic Soda) Order, 2018, dated 3rd April 2018 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 252
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 252:2013 Caustic soda - Specification (Fourth Revision) | Current, next review 31 Mar 2028 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2015), Second Amendment (2018). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 252
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 252, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹58,000 |
| Medium | ₹47,000 |
| Small | ₹29,000 |
| Micro | ₹11,600 |
Unit rate: ₹15.9 per tonne. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 252
From the BIS product manual for IS 252, which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:500 gms each for Lye and/or solid.
ISI licences under IS 252
BIS records 38 operative licences (38 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Gujarat (15), Andhra Pradesh (4), Maharashtra (3), Tamil Nadu (3), Pondichery (2).
Testing against IS 252
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 252 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 252 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 252
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 252 cover?
IS 252:2013: Caustic Soda. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for caustic soda.
Is BIS certification under IS 252 mandatory?
Yes, for caustic soda, under the Bureau of Indian Standard (Caustic Soda) Order, 2018. 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 252?
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 252 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 Chemicals, Fertilizers, Polymers & Textiles
- IS 170 Acetone
- IS 297 Sodium Sulphide, Technical
- IS 336 Ether
- IS 2012 Red Phosphorus
- IS 2080 Stabilized Hydrogen Peroxide
- IS 3205 Precipitated Barium Carbonate, Technical
- IS 4505 Sodium Formaldehyde Sulphoxylate
- IS 4566 Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)
- IS 4581 Phosphorous Trichloride, Pure and Analytical Reagent
- IS 5158 Phthalic Anhydride, Technical
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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