Both are product conformity marks — but entirely separate regulatory systems for entirely different markets. Holding one does not help you in the other's market.
CE = mandatory for EU/EEA marketBIS ISI = mandatory for regulated categories in IndiaSeparate systems — one does not substitute for the other
Export
CE Marking
Mandatory EU conformity mark. Required for regulated products in the EU, EEA, and Northern Ireland. Self-declared by manufacturer against applicable EU Directives. Technical file retained 10 years.
Quality & Ops
BIS / ISI Mark
India's mandatory product certification for 500+ regulated categories. Issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Annual licence renewal. Annual surveillance inspection.
Market
EU / EEA vs India
Issued by
Manufacturer self-declaration vs BIS government body
Annual requirement
Technical file only vs annual licence renewal + fee
Dimension
CE Marking
BIS / ISI Mark
Geographic scope
EU, EEA, Northern Ireland
India
Legal basis
EU Directives (multiple)
BIS Act 2016 + mandatory certification orders
Issued by
Manufacturer self-declaration (most cases)
Bureau of Indian Standards — direct government body
Notified Body?
Required for higher-risk products
Not applicable
Annual requirement
Technical file retention — no annual fee
Annual licence fee + BIS renewal inspection
Test standards
Harmonised EN standards
Indian IS standards
Does one cover the other?
No — entirely separate
No — entirely separate
Penalty for violation
Product withdrawal + fines in EU
Criminal penalties under BIS Act 2016
Which one do you actually need?
→ Choose CE Marking if
You are exporting to the EU, EEA, or Northern Ireland
Your product falls under one or more EU Directives
A European distributor has asked for CE marking
→ Choose BIS / ISI Mark if
You manufacture for the Indian domestic market
Your product falls under the BIS mandatory certification list
You import regulated products into India for domestic sale
Can you have both?
Yes — if you sell in both markets. An Indian manufacturer of electrical equipment needs BIS mark for India and CE marking for Europe. Different test standards, different issuing bodies, entirely separate processes run in parallel.
Clicarity tracks production batches with BIS licence number at job creation and safety test results at the inspection stage. When production splits into product variants, each is tested and labelled independently — complete batch records for both BIS surveillance visits and CE technical file documentation. See how it works →