IS 3854 BIS Certification for Switches for Domestic and Similar Purposes
Switches for Domestic and Similar Purposes made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 3854 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 3854
| Standard | IS 3854 |
|---|---|
| Title | Switches for domestic and similar purposes |
| Product covered | Switches for Domestic and Similar Purposes |
| Category | Household Electrical goods |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003, No. 189(E), dated 17 Feb 2003 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 3854
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 3854:2023 Switches for Domestic and Similar Purposes - Specification (Third Revision) Amendment - 1 | 6 Dec 2023 | Current, next review 21 May 2031 |
| IS 3854:1997 Switches for domestic and similar purposes - Specification (Second Revision) | 31 Jul 1997 | Withdrawn 9 Dec 2025 |
Amendments:First Amendment (2026). Test reports must reflect the standard with its amendments.
Marking fee for IS 3854
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 3854, set by unit size, plus a per-unit rate once production passes the minimum:
| Unit size | Minimum marking fee (per year) |
|---|---|
| Large | ₹69,000 |
| Medium | ₹56,000 |
| Small | ₹34,500 |
| Micro | ₹13,800 |
Unit rate: ₹3.5 per 100 piece. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
ISI licences under IS 3854
BIS records 299 operative licences (330 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Maharashtra (141), Delhi (70), Gujarat (21), Uttarakhand (16), Himachal Pradesh (12).
Testing against IS 3854
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 3854 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 3854 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 3854
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 3854 cover?
IS 3854: Switches for domestic and similar purposes. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for switches for domestic and similar purposes.
Is BIS certification under IS 3854 mandatory?
Yes, for switches for domestic and similar purposes, under the Electrical Wires, Cables, Appliances and Protection Devices and Accessories (Quality Control) Order, 2003, No. 189(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 3854?
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 3854 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 Household Electrical goods
- IS 302 20 products
- IS 418 Tungsten Filament General Service Electric Lamps (upto100 W )
- IS 694 PVC Insulated Cables for Working Voltages up to and Including 1100V
- IS 8828 Electrical Accessories-Circuit Breakers for Overcurrent Protection for Household and Similar Installations
- IS 9968 2 products
- IS 12640 2 products
- IS 13010 AC Watt-hour Meters, Class 0.5, 1 & 2
- IS 13779 AC Static Watt-hour Meters, Class 1 & 2
- IS 14697 AC Static Transformer Operated Watt-hour and VAR-hour Meters, Class 0.2S & 0.5S
- IS 15111 Self Ballasted Lamps for General Lighting Services – Part 1 : Safety Requirements & Part 2 : Performance Requirements
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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