IS 3818 BIS Certification for Continuous (Piano) Hinges
Continuous (Piano) Hinges made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 3818 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 3818
| Standard | IS 3818:1992 |
|---|---|
| Title | Continuous (Piano) hinges |
| Product covered | Continuous (Piano) Hinges |
| Category | Hinges |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Hinges (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 5294(E), dated 08th December 2023 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 3818
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 3818:1992 Continuous (Piano) hinges -Specification | 31 May 1992 | Current, next review 31 Jan 2027 |
Amendments:First Amendment (1993), Second Amendment (2018). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 3818
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 3818, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹46,000 |
| Medium | ₹37,000 |
| Small | ₹23,000 |
| Micro | ₹9,200 |
Unit rate: ₹8.65 per 100 piece. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 3818
From the BIS product manual for IS 3818, which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:6 Pieces
ISI licences under IS 3818
BIS records 2 operative licences (2 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Uttarakhand (1), Uttar Pradesh (1).
Testing against IS 3818
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 3818 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 3818 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 3818
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 3818 cover?
IS 3818:1992: Continuous (Piano) hinges. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for continuous (Piano) hinges.
Is BIS certification under IS 3818 mandatory?
Yes, for continuous (Piano) hinges, under the Hinges (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 5294(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 3818?
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 3818 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 Hinges
- IS 205 Non-ferrous Metal Butt Hinges
- IS 206 Tee and Strap Hinges
- IS 362 Parliament Hinges
- IS 453 Double-acting Spring Hinges
- IS 1341 Steel Butt Hinges
- IS 3843 Steel Back Flap Hinges
- IS 12817 Stainless Steel Butt Hinges
- IS 18297 Cabinet Hinges
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.
Not sure which certification your product needs?
Talk to a team led by former BIS Directors. We'll map every approval your product needs before you spend on testing.