IS 916 BIS Certification for Square Tins for Solid Products
Square Tins for Solid Products made, imported or sold in India must be certified against IS 916 under an ISI mark licence (Scheme-I). What the standard covers, how testing works and how to get the licence.
About IS 916
| Standard | IS 916:2000 |
|---|---|
| Title | Square Tins for Solid Products |
| Product covered | Square Tins for Solid Products |
| Category | Drums and Tins |
| Scheme | ISI mark licence (Scheme-I) |
| Notified under | Drums and Tins (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 4596(E), dated 17th October 2023 · Order PDF |
Editions and amendments of IS 916
| Edition | Published | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IS 916:2000 Square tins for solid products -- Specification (Fourth Revision) | 30 Apr 2000 | Current, next review 31 Jan 2027 |
No amendments to the current edition are listed by BIS.
Marking fee for IS 916
BIS charges an annual minimum marking fee for the ISI mark under IS 916, 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: ₹8.7 per 100 tins. Source: BIS marking fee schedule for Scheme-I products, September 2026.
Sampling and key tests for IS 916
From the BIS product manual for IS 916, which BIS officers and applicants follow for certification:
Sample quantity:Three Square Tins
Tests BIS can carry out in a day during factory inspection:
- All Tests
The full type test covers every clause of IS 916; the list above is what can be checked on site.
ISI licences under IS 916
BIS records 4 operative licences (4 including deferred, cancelled or under stop marking). Most licensed factories are in Punjab (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (1).
Testing against IS 916
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 916 that applies to the product, in the edition current on the date of testing. When BIS revises IS 916 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 916
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 916 cover?
IS 916:2000: Square Tins for Solid Products. BIS has made certification against it compulsory for square tins for solid products.
Is BIS certification under IS 916 mandatory?
Yes, for square tins for solid products, under the Drums and Tins (Quality Control) Order, 2023, S.O. 4596(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 916?
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 916 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 Drums and Tins
- IS 1783 2 products
- IS 2552 Steel Drums (Galvanized and Ungalvanized)
- IS 3575 Bitumen Drums
- IS 10325 Square Tins – 15 Kilograms or Litre for Ghee, Vanaspati, Edible Oils and Bakery
- IS 13997 Drums, Large Open Top
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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