Quality certification in India may soon become more affordable for small businesses. The Bureau of Indian Standards has proposed extending fee concessions for micro, small, and medium enterprises beyond the current mid-2026 deadline. 

The extension will keep the existing fee structure in place for another three years. Micro enterprises will continue to receive an 80 percent reduction in certification fees. Small enterprises will get a 50 percent concession, while medium-sized units will receive a 20 percent reduction.

Shift from Compliance to Quality Culture

Officials believe the manufacturing sector needs to move beyond a compliance-only mindset. Quality is increasingly being seen as a growth tool rather than a regulatory burden. Strong quality standards help businesses enter new markets and build consumer trust over time.

India has developed more than 23,000 product and process standards so far. Nearly 95 percent of these are aligned with international benchmarks. This alignment enhances global acceptance of domestically manufactured goods. MSMEs play a key role in this ecosystem and account for close to 80 percent of all BIS licence holders.

Certification Trends and Faster Approvals

BIS has issued around 55,000 certification licences to date. Almost half of these licences were issued voluntarily, even in sectors where certification is not required. This points to rising awareness among manufacturers about the long-term value of quality certification.

Mandatory quality control orders currently cover more than 700 products. Another 900 products fall under voluntary certification. Over the years, the scope of quality regulation has expanded across several industries.

The certification process has been fully digitised. Most manufacturers are now able to get licences within 30 to 90 days. Compliance levels have remained constantly high at over 96 percent during the past two years.

Testing Infrastructure and MSME-Friendly Reforms

BIS has recognised around 700 testing laboratories nationwide, though gaps remain in specialised sectors like medical devices. Authorities are assessing cluster-level needs and may introduce publicly funded facilities where private investment is limited.

To ease compliance, shared and cluster-based laboratories are now allowed. Quality assurance plans have been made advisory, and most Indian standards are available online for free. MSMEs are also encouraged to shape standards through the Manak Manthan consultation programme.

Conclusion

The proposed extension of BIS fee concessions provides timely support to MSMEs and startups. It reinforces the shift towards quality-led manufacturing while making certification simpler, affordable, and more accessible for small businesses.