Electric toys introduce a hazard profile that purely mechanical toys don't have — batteries, motors, wiring, and in some cases mains-adjacent chargers, all in a product designed to be handled by children. BIS addresses this with a dedicated standard, IS 15644:2006 (Safety of Electric Toys), sitting alongside but separate from the IS 9873 series that governs non-electric toys under the same overarching Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 (S.O. 853(E), dated 25 February 2020).
If your product range spans both electric and non-electric toys, note that our companion guide on Non-Electric Toys covers IS 9873 (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9) — these are two distinct certification requirements even though both fall under the same Toys QCO. This guide focuses specifically on IS 15644 for electric toys.
🎯 What Is BIS ISI (Scheme-I) Certification?
BIS Scheme-I is the classical Indian Standards Institution (ISI) mark scheme — India's original and most rigorous product certification route. Unlike the self-declaration model used under CRS for electronics, Scheme-I certification requires the manufacturer to hold a BIS licence granted only after laboratory testing and a physical BIS audit of the factory's manufacturing process and quality control system. The ISI mark on a product is a direct assurance that both the product and the process producing it meet the notified Indian Standard.
📌 Distinct from non-electric toys: IS 15644 (electric toys) and IS 9873 (non-electric toys) are separate standards under the same Toys QCO — a product range spanning both needs certification under each.
📄 The Governing Quality Control Order
This category is notified under the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 (S.O. 853(E), dated 25 February 2020). Amended by two Amendment Orders in 2020, a Second Amendment Order in 2020 (also issued in two parts), the Amendment Order, 2024 (S.O. 4277(E), dated 1 October 2024), and most recently the Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 (S.O. 3417(E), dated 25 June 2026).
📜 All 1 IS Standard Covered Under This QCO
The Toys (Quality Control) Order notifies the following Indian Standard specifically for electric toys:
| Sr. | IS Number | Product / Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IS 15644:2006 | Safety of Electric Toys |
⚙ What BIS ISI Certification Verifies
BIS testing for electric toys under IS 15644 evaluates electrical insulation and shock protection, battery compartment safety (including short-circuit and overheating protection), motor and moving-part safety guards, and thermal limits during normal and single-fault operating conditions — hazard categories that don't apply to purely mechanical toys and are absent from the IS 9873 non-electric toy series.
📋 Step-by-Step: BIS ISI (Scheme-I) Licensing Process
Scheme-I is a test-and-audit certification, more rigorous than the self-declaration route used for CRS-scheme electronics. The sequence is:
- Identify the applicable IS standard(s)Confirm which of the notified Indian Standards under this QCO apply to your exact product variant and specification.
- Test at a BIS-recognised laboratorySubmit representative samples for testing against the applicable IS standard. The test report is the foundation of the ISI licence application.
- Prepare documentationCompile factory details, quality control records, product technical data, and — for foreign manufacturers — the Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) nomination under FMCS.
- File the online applicationSubmit the application on the BIS Manak Online portal with the test report, factory details, and supporting documents.
- Factory auditUnlike the CRS self-declaration route, Scheme-I (ISI) certification involves a physical BIS assessment of the manufacturing unit and its quality control system.
- Grant of licence and ISI markBIS reviews the application and audit findings and grants the licence with a unique licence number, allowing use of the ISI mark on the product.
- Surveillance, renewal and market samplingLicensees remain under periodic BIS surveillance, including market sample testing, and must renew the licence on schedule.
📂 Documents Required
A complete file at the outset shortens both the review and audit stages. You will typically need:
- Test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory against the applicable IS standard
- Factory registration, business incorporation and address proof
- Product technical specifications, drawings and bill of materials
- In-house quality control and testing facility details
- Manufacturing process flow chart and machinery list
- Trademark / brand authorisation documents
- For foreign manufacturers: Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) nomination under FMCS
- Marking / label artwork showing the IS standard and ISI licence number
- Authorised signatory details and application declarations
⏱ Timeline & Renewal
Because Scheme-I combines laboratory testing with a factory audit, timelines run longer than the self-declaration CRS route. Once granted, the BIS ISI licence remains subject to ongoing surveillance, including unannounced market sampling, and must be renewed on schedule to stay valid.
⚠ Common Mistakes That Delay ISI Licensing
- Certifying electric toys under IS 9873 instead of IS 15644 — the non-electric toy standard does not cover electrical hazards; electric toys need their own IS 15644 test report.
- Missing the June 2026 Transition Facilitation Order — this is a very recent amendment; confirm its impact on your application timeline directly with BIS.
- Treating it like CRS self-declaration — Scheme-I requires a factory audit in addition to testing; manufacturers who plan only for lab testing are caught off guard by the audit stage.
- Foreign manufacturers skipping AIR appointment — an Authorised Indian Representative is required under FMCS before a foreign manufacturer's application can proceed.
- Letting surveillance and renewal lapse — an expired or surveillance-failed licence stops the ISI mark from being used, even mid-production run.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is BIS ISI certification mandatory for electric toys?
Yes. IS 15644:2006 is mandatory under the Toys QCO — a covered electric toy cannot be manufactured, imported or sold in India without the corresponding BIS ISI licence.
Is IS 15644 the same as the non-electric toy standard IS 9873?
No. They are separate standards under the same Toys QCO — IS 15644 covers electrical hazards specific to electric toys, while IS 9873 (in 6 parts) covers mechanical, flammability and chemical hazards for all toys.
Does a product need both certifications if it has electrical and mechanical elements?
Yes. An electric toy typically needs to satisfy both IS 15644 (electrical safety) and the relevant parts of IS 9873 (mechanical/physical safety) that also apply.
How often has the Toys QCO been amended?
Multiple times since 2020, most recently with a Transition Facilitation Order in June 2026 — always confirm the current in-force requirements.
How long does ISI certification take for electric toy manufacturers?
Timelines vary by product complexity; budget several months including electrical safety testing and factory audit scheduling.
Do foreign electric toy manufacturers need an Indian representative?
Yes. Foreign manufacturers must obtain certification via the applicable FMCS route and appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) resident in India.
⭐ Why Choose Global Approbation
- Standard mapping — we identify exactly which notified IS standard(s) apply to your product variant.
- Lab & factory-audit coordination — testing at BIS-recognised laboratories and audit readiness, managed end to end.
- AIR for foreign manufacturers — we act as your Authorised Indian Representative under FMCS and hold the India compliance interface.
- Complete documentation — quality control manuals, process charts and application filing handled for you.
- Surveillance & renewal tracking — so your ISI licence stays valid and market-sample-ready.
- One compliance partner — ISI/Scheme-I alongside CRS, BEE, WPC, TEC and EPR where your product needs them.
Electric Toys BIS ISI Partner
Global Approbation manages BIS ISI (Scheme-I) certification for electric toys under IS 15644, coordinated alongside non-electric toy certification under IS 9873 where your product range needs both.
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