IS 5405 BIS Certification for Sanitary Napkins
Sanitary Napkins made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 5405 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 5405
| Standard | IS 5405 : 2019 |
|---|---|
| Title | Sanitary napkins |
| Product covered | Sanitary Napkins |
| Category | Medical Textiles |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 4247(E), dated 27th September 2023 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 5405
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 5405:2025 Disposable Sanitary Napkin/Panty Liner/Maternity Pad/Period Panty - Specification ( Third Revision ) | 13 Feb 2025 | Current, next review 28 Feb 2030 |
| IS 5405:2019 Sanitary napkins – Specification (second revision) | 31 Oct 2019 | Withdrawn 14 Aug 2025 |
| IS 5405:1980 Sanitary Napkins | Withdrawn 17 Feb 2025 |
No amendments to the current edition are listed by BIS.
Marking fee for IS 5405
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 5405, 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: ₹10 per 1000 piece. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 5405
From the BIS product manual for IS 5405 (July 2025), which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Tests BIS can carry out in a day during factory inspection:
- Type & shapes
- Size
- Manufacture, workmanship and finish
- pH Value
- Ability to withstand pressure after absorption
The full type test covers every clause of IS 5405; the list above is what can be checked on site.
ISI licences under IS 5405
BIS records 134 operative licences (140 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Gujarat (30), Uttar Pradesh (15), Haryana (13), Madhya Pradesh (12), Tamil Nadu (12).
Testing against IS 5405
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 5405 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 5405 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 5405
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 5405 cover?
IS 5405 : 2019: Sanitary napkins. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for sanitary napkins.
Is BIS certification under IS 5405 mandatory?
Yes, for sanitary napkins, under the Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 4247(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 5405?
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 5405 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 Medical Textiles
- IS 17349 Shoe Covers
- IS 17354 Dental Bib or Napkins
- IS 17509 Disposable Baby Diaper
- IS 17514 Reusable Sanitary Pad/ Sanitary Napkin/ Period Panties
- IS 17630 Bed Sheet and Pillow Cover
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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