What Is the Impact of BIS's Latest Standards Update on Paints, Soil Testing, Oils, and Traditional Medicine?

Introduction

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified 17 Indian Standards through Notification Ref. HQ-PUB013/1/2020-PUB-BIS (1548), effective from 2 June 2026. Of these 9 are revisions of existing standards and 8 are newly introduced standards. BIS has provided a six-month transition period, allowing the previous versions of revised standards to remain valid until 2 December 2026. The notification impacts manufacturers, testing laboratories, exporters and other businesses operating in the affected sectors.

Complete Schedule of All 17 Standards

Implementation Timeline

• Establishment date: 2 June 2026 (all 17 standards)
• Gazette notification: 3 June 2026
• Concurrent validity of old IS versions: Until 2 December 2026.
• Old IS withdrawal: 2 December 2026 after which only the 2026 versions are valid.
• New standards (no predecessor): Operative from 2 June 2026 immediately applicable.

Group 1: Linseed (Flaxseed) Oil- IS 75: 2026

The revision of IS 75 marks an important step towards improving the quality, safety, and testing requirements for linseed oil used across multiple industries.

What Has Changed?

BIS has revised the Indian Standard for linseed (flaxseed) oil by introducing IS 75: 2026, replacing the older IS 75: 1973 standard. Linseed oil is widely used in paints and coatings, edible oil products, Ayurveda, nutraceuticals, and leather treatment applications.

The revised standard is expected to modernize quality and safety requirements by introducing:

• Updated physicochemical parameters such as acid value, iodine value, and saponification value.
• Stricter limits for contaminants including heavy metals and pesticide residues.
• Modern testing methods aligned with current national and international practices.
• Clearer classification of industrial-grade, food-grade, and pharmaceutical-grade linseed oil.

Who Will Be Affected?

The revision will impact several stakeholders across industries, including:

• Edible oil and nutraceutical manufacturers.
• Paint and coating manufacturers using linseed oil as a raw material.
• Ayurvedic and traditional medicine manufacturers.
• Leather treatment product manufacturers.
• Testing laboratories and importers of linseed oil.

Why Did BIS Revise the Standard?

The previous version of the standard was issued more than 50 years ago and no longer reflected current industry requirements. BIS has updated the standard to improve product quality, strengthen consumer safety, and align with modern manufacturing practices.

The revision is also driven by:

• Growing demand for flaxseed oil in the nutraceutical sector.
• Increased focus on contaminant control and food safety.
• The need for better raw material quality standards for paint and coating manufacturers.

Impact on Businesses

Companies that deal with linseed oil might need to examine their current offerings and quality control procedures. Manufacturers might have to update standards, carry out new testing and make sure suppliers follow the updated guidelines.

Key areas requiring attention include:

• Product testing and quality verification.
• Supplier compliance assessments.
• Updates to technical documentation and quality records.
• BIS certification and license amendments, where applicable.

How to Comply?

To prepare for the transition, businesses should:

• Obtain and review IS 75: 2026.
• Compare current specifications with the revised requirements.
• Conduct testing through NABL-accredited laboratories.
• Update supplier agreements and inspection procedures.
• Revise BIS certification applications and compliance documents.

Group 2: Paint Products

The paint industry has received two important updates under the latest BIS notification. These revisions aim to modernise paint testing methods, improve product performance standards, and simplify compliance requirements for manufacturers and testing laboratories.

IS 101 (Part 5/Sec 1): 2026- Paint Hardness Testing: What Has Changed?

IS 101 (Part 5/Sec 1): 2026 updates the methodology used to measure the hardness of paint films, a key parameter for evaluating the durability and scratch resistance of coatings.

The revised standard introduces several improvements, including:

• Additional testing methods such as instrumented indentation testing, and updated pencil hardness testing.
• Alignment of Konig and Persoz pendulum hardness tests with current ISO standards.
• Updated temperature, and humidity requirements for testing conditions.
• Clear guidance on referee test methods for dispute resolution.
• Recognition of modern digital and computer controlled testing equipment.

Who Will Be Affected?

The revised testing standard will impact:

• Decorative, industrial, automotive, marine and wood-finish paint manufacturers.
• Independent paint testing laboratories.
• Certification bodies and regulatory authorities involved in quality assessments.

IS 13213: 2026- Solvent-Borne Polyurethane Enamel Paint (Two Pack)

IS 13213: 2026 is one of the most significant revisions in this notification. The standard combines the earlier gloss and matt polyurethane paint standards into a single framework while introducing updated technical requirements.

What Has Changed?

The revised standard introduces three major changes:

• Consolidation of Standards: Manufacturers now have a single standard covering both gloss and matt finish PU paints, reducing confusion, and simplifying compliance requirements.
• Updated Chemical Requirements: The standard introduces revised quality and safety parameters including:
  • Updated VOC limits to support environmental and workplace safety objectives.
  • Revised restrictions on heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and cadmium.
  • Updated requirements for binders and hardeners based on current PU coating technologies.
• Performance Enhancements: The revision also strengthens performance requirements through:
  • Higher weather resistance testing standards.
  • Updated gloss retention requirements.
  • Revised adhesion criteria.
  • Expanded chemical resistance testing.

Who Will Be Affected?

The revised standard will affect:

• Polyurethane paint manufacturers.
• Industrial coating applicators and fabricators.
• Furniture and wood-finish manufacturers.
• Automotive coating companies.
• Importers and distributors of PU paints.

Why Did BIS Revise IS 13213?

The polyurethane coatings market has evolved significantly over the past few years, creating a need for updated technical requirements. BIS has revised the standard to reflect modern coating technologies, align with international practices, and simplify compliance by replacing two separate standards with a single comprehensive framework.

The update also supports environmental goals through stricter VOC and heavy metal requirements.

Impact on Paint Businesses

Manufacturers producing BIS-certified PU paints will need to:

• Update BIS licence references to IS 13213: 2026.
• Obtain fresh test reports based on the revised requirements.
• Complete the transition before the withdrawal of the previous standards.

Industrial users and procurement teams should also update tender specifications and technical documents to reference the new standard.

Group 3: Soil Testing Standards

The latest BIS notification introduces important updates for soil testing and land reclamation standards. These revisions are intended to align soil analysis methods with modern scientific practices while supporting India's agricultural productivity, environmental monitoring, and land restoration initiatives.

IS 12410: 2026: Soil Reclamation Terminology: What Has Changed?

IS 12410: 2026 updates the terminology used in soil reclamation activities, replacing the earlier 1988 version. Soil reclamation plays a vital role in restoring degraded, saline, waterlogged, and polluted land for productive use.

The revised standard updates definitions and terminology to reflect modern practices, including:

• Phytoremediation and bioremediation techniques.
• Soil carbon sequestration and climate-related initiatives.
• Precision soil amendment methods.
• Advanced approaches for reclaiming sodic and acidic soils.

The update also aligns Indian terminology with internationally recognised soil science frameworks and environmental programmes.

IS 14684: 2026, Determination of Total Nitrogen and Nitrogen Compounds in Soil: What Has Changed?

The revised standard modernises the methods used to measure nitrogen content in soil, replacing testing procedures that have been in place since 1999.

Key updates include:

• Improved Kjeldahl digestion procedures.
• Introduction of automated nitrogen analysers and combustion-based testing methods.
• Updated methods for measuring ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite levels.
• Lower detection limits for improved testing accuracy.
• Enhanced quality assurance and calibration requirements.

IS 14685: 2026- Determination of Total Sulphur and Sulphur Compounds in Soil: What Has Changed?

This revision updates the analytical methods used to determine sulphur content in soil and incorporates modern laboratory technologies. Major changes include:

• Advanced combustion-based sulphur analysis methods.
• Revised sulphate determination procedures.
• Introduction of ICP-OES and ICP-MS testing techniques.
• Improved detection capabilities for low sulphur concentrations.

Who Will Be Affected?

The revised soil standards will impact a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• Government and private soil testing laboratories.
• NABL-accredited testing facilities.
• Agricultural universities and research institutions.
• Fertiliser manufacturers and agribusiness companies.
• Environmental consultants and EIA professionals.
• Mining companies conducting land rehabilitation studies.
• Infrastructure developers involved in land reclamation projects.
• State agriculture departments operating soil testing programmes.

Why Did BIS Revise These Standards?

The revisions support India's growing focus on soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management. Modern testing methods provide more accurate data for fertiliser recommendations, land restoration projects and environmental assessments.

The updates also align Indian standards with current international practices and scientific advancements, helping laboratories generate more reliable and globally comparable results.

Impact on Businesses and Laboratories

The revised standards may require organisations involved in soil testing, agriculture, environmental consulting, and land reclamation to take several compliance-related actions, including:

• Updating laboratory testing methods to align with the revised BIS standards. 
• Validating and calibrating analytical equipment based on the new testing requirements. 
• Revising quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures. 
• Updating NABL accreditation scopes and technical documentation where applicable. 
• Training laboratory personnel on the revised testing methodologies and terminology. 
• Reviewing soil analysis reports, fertiliser recommendation systems, and environmental assessment protocols.

Why BIS Revised All Three Soil Standards

The Soil Health Card Scheme has created a national network of thousands of soil testing labs, generating data that drives fertilizer recommendations for millions of Indian farmers. Using 1999 and 1988-era analytical methods creates:

• Inaccurate nitrogen and sulphur data
• Incorrect fertilizer recommendations
• Suboptimal crop yields and input wastage

Updating IS 14684 and IS 14685 ensures that every lab in the national network is using scientifically current methods.

Soil Degradation Policy

India's National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and its soil health components require rigorous, updated methodology for:

• Monitoring soil carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur across the agricultural landscape.
• Tracking changes over time (critical for climate reporting).
• Evaluating the impact of soil reclamation interventions.

International Harmonisation

Global soil science has moved to combustion-based, automated CNS analysis (Dumas method) and ICP-based methods for most elements. The 1999 IS versions were based on older wet chemistry methods. Updating aligns India with:

• ISO soil testing standards
• FAO's recommended soil analytical methods
• EU's soil monitoring framework methods (relevant for Indian agricultural exports).

Food and Export Safety

Soil nitrogen and sulphur data underpin:

• Food safety assessments (nitrate levels in produce depend on soil nitrate supply).
• Export compliance for vegetables and grains where nitrate content is regulated by EU/USA importers.

Impact on Soil Testing Businesses

All NABL-accredited soil testing laboratories will need to align their systems with the revised standards:

• SOP Updates 
  • Laboratories must update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reference IS 14684: 2026 and IS 14685: 2026 by 2 December 2026.
  • Method documentation and reporting formats must reflect revised standards.
• Method Validation 
  • Labs switching from older analytical methods must re-validate updated procedures.
  • Ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with revised testing protocols.
• NABL Accreditation Scope 
  • Update testing scope in the NABL online portal to include revised methods and standards.
  • Maintain alignment with accreditation requirements during transition.
• Equipment Upgrades 
  • Labs without advanced instruments like combustion CNS analysers or ICP-OES may need to: 
    • Plan capital expenditure for equipment procurement.
    • Or establish referral arrangements with equipped laboratories for specialized testing.
• Government Laboratory Compliance 
  • State agriculture departments must issue updated technical orders.
  • Ensure all government soil testing labs adopt revised method references before 2 December 2026.

Standard 10: IS 19809: 2026- Vegetable Oils (MOSH & MOAH Testing): What It Is?

This is a new Indian Standard introducing the testing framework for Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) in vegetable oils.

• Based on ISO 20122: 2024 
• Uses advanced analytical method: HPLC–GC–FID (High Performance Liquid Chromatography + Gas Chromatography + Flame Ionization Detection) 

Why It Is Important?

MOSH and MOAH are hazardous contaminants that can enter vegetable oils through:

• Lubricating oils used in food processing machinery 
• Printing inks and adhesives in food packaging (especially recycled materials) 
• Environmental contamination during production and storage 
• Mineral oil-based agricultural sprays 

Health and Safety Concerns

• MOAH: Potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• MOSH: Accumulates in human tissues (fatty tissue and lymph nodes) with uncertain long-term effects.
• Increasing regulatory scrutiny globally, including EU food safety limits under Regulation (EU) 2023/2419.

Who Is Affected?

This standard has wide industry impact across the food and export ecosystem:

• Edible oil manufacturers such as Adani Wilmar (Fortune), Ruchi Soya/Patanjali, Marico, Godrej Agrovet, Cargill India, and Bunge India.
• Importers and exporters of vegetable oils
• Food manufacturers using edible oils in:
  • Snack foods 
  • Bakery products 
  • Ready-to-eat meals 
  • Confectionery items 
• Food testing and analytical laboratories 
• Export-oriented food businesses targeting EU and other regulated markets

Why BIS Created This Standard Now

Concerns around food safety, export requirements, and rising global scrutiny have made it necessary to introduce a clear testing framework at this stage.

1. EU Market Access

India exports significant quantities of edible oils and oil-containing foods to the EU. The EU's 2023 MOSH/MOAH Regulation requires exporters to demonstrate compliance through validated test methods. IS 19809: 2026 (adopting ISO 20122: 2024) gives Indian labs a recognised national standard for conducting these tests.

2. FSSAI Pre-emptive Alignment

FSSAI is expected to introduce MOSH/MOAH limits for edible oils in India (following international precedent). Having IS 19809: 2026 as the recognized test method standard ensures Indian labs are ready to test against these future limits.

3. Consumer Protection

Even without mandatory limits today, sophisticated Indian consumers and retailers are beginning to ask about MOSH/MOAH in premium and organic oil brands. IS 19809: 2026 enables credible, IS-backed testing.

Standards 11-17: Traditional Medicine Standards

BIS notified seven new Indian Standards for traditional medicinal materials and herbal formulations all entirely new (no predecessor):

Who Is Affected

• Ayurvedic medicine manufacturers (Dabur, Himalaya, Hamdard, Baidyanath, Zandu/Emami, Patanjali Ayurved, thousands of smaller units).
• AYUSH raw material suppliers and herb traders
• Cattu tablet manufacturers traditional preparation specific to South India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Kerala
• Herbal extract manufacturers supplying Ayurveda and traditional medicine companies
• NABL-accredited labs testing herbal/AYUSH raw materials

Why BIS Created These Standards?

As the AYUSH sector continues to expand in India and international markets, the need for consistent quality standards has become increasingly important.

1. AYUSH Sector Standardisation Priority

Since 2021, the Ministry of AYUSH has been actively working with BIS to strengthen standardisation across traditional medicine supply chains. Developing individual Indian Standards for medicinal plant materials helps establish a common standard for quality, and authenticity. These standards help define:

• Identity requirements- ensuring the correct botanical species and plant part are used
• Purity requirements- preventing adulteration and ensuring the correct variety is supplied
• Quality parameters- including ash values, extractive values, and marker compound specifications
• Contaminant limits- covering heavy metals, pesticide residues, aflatoxins, and other impurities

By setting clear specifications, BIS aims to improve consistency across cultivation, processing, testing, and manufacturing activities.

2. Export Market Access

India's AYUSH exports now exceed Rs18,000 crore annually, making quality assurance a critical trade requirement. Importers and regulatory authorities in markets such as the EU, USA, Japan and the Middle East increasingly require:

• National or internationally recognised specification standards.
• NABL-accredited laboratory test reports.
• Evidence of consistent quality and traceability throughout the supply chain.

These BIS standards provide a recognised framework that supports export documentation and enhances the credibility of Indian AYUSH products globally.

2. Preventing Adulteration and Misidentification

Many medicinal plant materials are traded in dried or processed forms, making accurate identification difficult. This creates a risk of substitution, adulteration or use of incorrect plant parts.

The risk is particularly significant for botanicals such as ‘Strychnos nux-vomica’ where improper identification can have serious safety implications. The new standards address these concerns by including:

• Botanical and microscopic identification criteria
• Chemical profiling requirements
• Purity specifications
• Defined quality benchmarks

These measures help reduce the risk of adulteration while improving consumer safety and product reliability.

Animal Tallow and Light Basic Magnesium Carbonate

These revisions modernise long-standing industrial standards, bringing them in line with current manufacturing practices, safety expectations, and international quality requirements.

Standard 3: IS 887: 2026- Animal Tallow (Third Revision): What Changed

This standard replaces IS 887:1977, updating a specification that had remained largely unchanged for nearly five decades.

Animal tallow continues to be an important industrial raw material used in:

• Soap and detergent manufacturing
• Candle production
• Leather processing and treatment
• Rubber and polymer processing
• Industrial lubricants and specialty chemicals

The 2026 revision introduces several important updates:

• Revised fatty acid composition requirements using modern FAME analysis methods.
• Updated limits for free fatty acids (FFA) and peroxide value.
• Improved moisture and impurity specifications.
• New contaminant requirements covering substances such as pesticides and dioxins.
• Traceability provisions relating to animal origin and BSE-risk management for cattle-derived tallow.

Who Is Affected?

The revised standard impacts:

• Soap and detergent manufacturers
• Candle manufacturers
• Leather processing companies
• Tallow rendering and processing businesses
• Rubber and polymer manufacturers
• Importers and traders dealing in animal-derived industrial fats

Standard 4: IS 1420: 2026:-Light Basic Magnesium Carbonate (Third Revision): What Changed

This standard replaces IS 1420:1989 and updates quality requirements for light basic magnesium carbonate to reflect current industrial, pharmaceutical, and food-grade applications.

The material is widely used in:

• Rubber manufacturing as a reinforcing filler
• Paints and coatings as a filler and pigment extender
• Pharmaceutical formulations as an antacid excipient and flow aid
• Food products as an anti-caking agent (E504) and acidity regulator
• Cosmetics and personal care products as an alternative to talc

The 2026 revision includes:

• Updated purity specifications based on magnesium carbonate content.
• Revised heavy metal limits for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
• Particle size distribution requirements for improved performance consistency.
• Updated moisture content and loss-on-ignition limits.
• Modernised test methods aligned with current international laboratory practices.

Who Is Affected?

The revised standard will primarily affect:

• Rubber manufacturers
• Paint and coating companies
• Pharmaceutical excipient manufacturers and suppliers
• Food additive manufacturers and distributors
• Cosmetic and personal care product manufacturers
• Testing laboratories responsible for quality verification

Why These Revisions Matter

Both standards replace specifications that were several decades old. By updating quality requirements, testing methods, contaminant controls, and traceability provisions, BIS is ensuring that Indian manufacturers can meet modern regulatory expectations while maintaining product quality, safety and competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

Benefits for All Affected Businesses

The latest BIS standards provide businesses with clearer compliance requirements, improved market credibility, and stronger regulatory support across industries.

Immediate Compliance Benefits

Sector-Specific Benefits

Is This the Right Decision?

All 17 standards in this notification represent necessary, well-calibrated, and overdue regulatory modernization:

• Several standards were 50+ years old (IS 75 from 1973, IS 887 from 1977) entirely inadequate for modern industry.
• The 6-month concurrent validity period gives businesses time to transition without operational disruption.
• The new traditional medicine standards fill a genuine gap India's AYUSH sector had been operating without national IS for many of its key raw materials.
• IS 19809 (MOSH/MOAH) is forward-looking and directly protects India's edible oil export competitiveness with the EU.

The only reasonable concern is lab capacity BIS-designated labs and NABL-accredited facilities may face a surge in testing requests as multiple sectors simultaneously need to validate products against revised IS. This is a genuine transition management challenge, but one that BIS's own technical infrastructure must support.

Corpseed's Compliance Support Services

The revised BIS standards may require businesses to update certifications, testing procedures, and documentation. Corpseed can assist throughout the compliance process.

1. BIS Certification and License Upgrade Services

2. MOSH/MOAH Compliance Advisory (IS 19809)

• Help edible oil manufacturers:
  • Find NABL labs equipped with HPLC-GC-FID for IS 19809-compliant testing.
  • Build MOSH/MOAH compliance documentation for EU export buyers.
  • Assess packaging material suppliers' mineral oil risk.

3. Soil Testing Lab Compliance Advisory

• Help state and private soil labs:
  • Update NABL accreditation scope to IS 14684: 2026 and IS 14685: 2026.
  • Develop revised SOPs for updated methods.
  • Source reference materials and equipment for new analytical methods.

4. AYUSH and Traditional Medicine Compliance

• Coordinate BIS certification for:
  • AYUSH raw material suppliers seeking IS 19851–19861 compliance.
  • Cattu tablet manufacturers seeking IS 19858 Code of Practice compliance.
• Bundle with:
  • AYUSH manufacturer licence compliance
  • GMP certification support
  • Heavy metal and pesticide testing coordination for herbal raw materials.

5. Paint Industry Consolidated Compliance Packages

• For paint companies managing both IS 13213 and hardness testing (IS 101 Part 5/Sec 1):
  • Full BIS licence migration + testing coordination + documentation update.
  • Presented as a single "Paint IS 2026 Upgrade Pack".