BIS Certification for Steel roller chains

In India’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, steel roller chains serve as the backbone of countless machines – from automotive engines and conveyor systems to agricultural equipment and material-handling lines. But with performance also comes responsibility.

To ensure that these chains consistently meet the quality, safety and reliability standards, the Government of India has made BIS certification mandatory for steel roller chains under the latest Quality Control Orders (QCO).

If you are a manufacturer, importer, or supplier of roller chains, this guide will help you understand what BIS certification is, why it is needed, and how to achieve it efficiently.

What is BIS Certification?

BIS Certification is a symbol of quality and reliability issued by Bureau of Standards (BIS) under BIS Act, 2016. Products with ISI mark guarantee to correspond to Indian standards (IS), which ensures frequent quality, safety and performance.

For steel roller chains, BIS certification verifies that chain relevant Indian standard IS 2403: 1991 – Short Pitch transmission procedure procedure roller and Bush chain (or its updated version) meet the requirements.

Read More: Introduction To Bureau Of Indian Standards

Why is BIS Certification for Steel Roller Chains Important?

Getting BIS Certificate for Steel Roller Chains provides many advantages:

1. Legal Compliance: BIS certification is mandatory for some industrial products under the Quality Control Order (QCO).
2. Promoted protection: It ensures that the chain can work safely under stress, weight and high speed conditions.
3. Market Access: Products cannot be sold in India without BIS certification if they are listed under compulsory certification.
4. Customer Trust: ISI Mark creates customer trust and displays manufacturing excellence.
5. Export Benefits: BIS-certified products are globally recognized, supporting international trade.

Applicable Indian Standard

The primary standard for steel roller chain is:

IS 2403:1991 – Short pitch transmission precision roller and bush chains, attachments, and associated chain sprockets – Specification.

This standard defines the dimensions, materials, mechanical properties and test methods of roller and bush chains used in mechanical transmissions.

Products Covered Under BIS Certification

BIS Certification applies to various categories of steel roller chains, including:

• Transmission roller chain
• Conveyor chain
• Leaf chain
• Agricultural roller chains
• Industrial drive chain

Each product type must be the dimensions set by BIS and conform to the performance requirements.

Who Needs BIS Certification?

BIS is required for certification:

• Domestic manufacturer: Roller chain production in India for sale in the domestic market.
• Foreign Manufacturer: Exporting steel roller chain to India under Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS).

Without BIS license, it is illegal to manufacture, store, sell, import or distribute steel roller chains in India.

Step-by-Step Process for BIS Certification for Steel roller chains

Below mentioned steps to obtain BIS Certificate for Steel roller chains:

Step 1: Product Identification and Standard Selection: Determine the relevant Indian Standard – in this case, it is 2403:1991 – and identify the exact type, size and version of your roller chain.

Step 2: Online Application Submission: Manufacturers have to apply online on MANAK online portal (www.manakonline.in.in

) By filling a BIS account and Form VI with product description, manufacturing site information, and test equipment list.

Step 3: Documentation and Payment: Submit the required documents and pay the applicable fees (application, test and inspection fees).

Step 4: Sample Testing: A sample of Steel Roller Chain is prepared and tested in a BIS-accredited laboratory for all the parameters defined in IS 2403.

Step 5: Factory Inspection

BIS officials visit the manufacturing unit to assess:

• production process flow
• quality control system
• In-house testing facilities
• Batch traceability and labeling practices

Step 6: Grant of BIS License: If the product passes testing and inspection, BIS issues an ISI license for the product, allowing the manufacturer to use the ISI mark on roller chains.

Read More: Process for getting BIS for Certification

Documents Required for BIS Certification for Steel roller chains

Below we mentioned required documents BIS certificate for steel roller chains

Category	Documents Required
Legal	Factory License, MSME/Company Registration, Authorization Letter
Technical	Product Drawing, Process Flow Chart, Testing Equipment List
Quality	Quality Control Manual, Calibration Certificates, Test Reports
Trademark	Brand Registration Certificate
Others	Undertaking of Compliance, Authorized Signatory ID Proof

Read More: Documents Required For BIS Registration

Key Testing Parameters for Roller Chains

BIS-Approved Labs Test Roller Chains for:

• tensile strength
• fatigue resistance
• hardness and surface finish
• Pitch accuracy and link alignment
• corrosion resistance
• dimensional tolerance

These tests ensure durability and performance in demanding industrial environments.

Timeline and Validity

• Processing time: usually 30-45 working days (based on documentation and laboratory reports).
• Validity: The BIS license is valid for 2 years and can be renewed on compliance verification.

Cost of BIS Certification

BIS certification costs are included:

• Application Fee: ₹ 1,000 – ₹ 5,000
• Testing fees: may vary depending on the product and laboratory
• Inspection Fee: Actual Expenditure + ₹ 7,000 per Human Day
• License Fee: ₹ 1,000 per Product
• Marking fee: Based on the amount of production

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The construction or sale of steel roller chains without BIS certification, when it is mandatory, is a punishable offense under the BIS Act, 2016, which leads to fines, seizure of goods, or prosecution.

Conclusion

Receiving BIS certification for steel roller chains is not just a compliance formality – it is a symbol of quality, safety and reliability. Whether you are a domestic manufacturer or an importer, ensuring that your product is IS 2403:1991 compliant enhances your market reputation and aligns your business with India’s quality-driven industrial ecosystem.