ISI Certification for Electric Motors in India

What Testing and Factory Facilities Are Required for BIS Certification of Electric Motors? Understanding Efficiency, Temperature Rise, Locked-Rotor, Insulation, Vibration, Noise and Performance Tests

For manufacturers pursuing BIS Certification for Electric Motors, factory readiness is much more than having a few electrical instruments on the shop floor. The manufacturer needs a testing system capable of demonstrating that the motor consistently meets the applicable requirements for efficiency, performance, electrical safety, temperature rise and construction.

For IS 12615:2018, BIS's published product manual identifies specific testing controls and indicates which tests are required at the manufacturer's premises and where subcontracting may be permitted. The exact requirements depend on the applicable standard, product scope and current BIS certification documents.

What should a motor manufacturer's laboratory be able to handle?

A properly planned laboratory should be capable of supporting the tests relevant to the certified motor range. BIS's laboratory database for IS 12615 lists testing such as:

• Insulation resistance
• Stator winding resistance
• No-load testing
• Locked-rotor testing
• High-voltage testing
• Full-load performance
• Efficiency
• Power factor
• Slip
• Temperature rise
• Momentary overload
• Vibration
• Noise
• Degree of protection
• Overspeed
• Pull-up torque

The actual testing scope can vary according to the motor, applicable requirements and certification arrangement.

This is why manufacturers should first prepare a test-and-equipment matrix rather than purchasing equipment based on a generic checklist.

Efficiency and Full-Load Performance Testing

Efficiency is central to BIS Certification for Energy Efficient Motors under IS 12615.

The BIS Scheme of Testing and Inspection identifies a full-load test to determine efficiency, power factor and slip as a routine control, with one motor of each type and design manufactured in a month specified for testing under the published 2018 STI.

The laboratory therefore needs a suitable test arrangement for operating the motor under controlled load and accurately measuring the relevant electrical and mechanical parameters.

This typically means the manufacturer needs appropriate:

• Power measurement equipment
• Voltage and current measurement
• Speed measurement
• Load arrangement
• Torque measurement
• Data recording
• Motor test supply

The equipment should be appropriate for the power range of motors proposed under the certification scope.

Temperature Rise Testing

Temperature rise is another significant part of motor evaluation.

A motor can meet its rated output and still present a problem if its operating temperature exceeds the applicable limits. Temperature-rise testing helps establish the thermal behaviour of the motor under the specified operating conditions.

BIS's IS 12615 product manual identifies temperature rise testing as a required factory test, with one motor of each type and design manufactured in three months specified under the published STI.

The laboratory therefore needs a controlled arrangement for operating the motor and accurately determining temperature rise.

This becomes particularly important when manufacturers have different:

• Power ratings
• Pole counts
• Frame sizes
• Cooling arrangements
• Designs

A test setup suitable for a small motor may not automatically be suitable for a substantially larger motor.

Locked-Rotor and Starting Tests

Locked-rotor testing evaluates important starting characteristics of the motor.

BIS's laboratory information for IS 12615 identifies several locked-rotor measurements, including voltage, current and power input, as well as determination of starting characteristics and locked-rotor current.

The manufacturer therefore needs a test arrangement that can safely conduct these tests while accurately capturing the required electrical readings.

For larger motors, this can require substantial electrical infrastructure and careful safety controls.

A factory should consider the maximum motor rating within its proposed certification scope before finalizing its laboratory arrangement.

Insulation Resistance and High-Voltage Testing

Electrical insulation is another fundamental part of motor safety.

BIS laboratory records for IS 12615 include insulation resistance testing and high-voltage testing.

The manufacturer's testing setup should therefore provide suitable equipment for checking the insulation system and conducting the applicable dielectric-strength test safely.

These tests should not be treated as informal production-floor checks.

The manufacturer should have:

• Defined test procedures
• Appropriate safety precautions
• Suitable test instruments
• Calibrated equipment
• Trained personnel
• Test records
• Clear acceptance criteria

The actual test method should follow the applicable standard and current BIS testing requirements.

No-Load and Winding-Resistance Tests

The laboratory should also be prepared for basic electrical characterization.

BIS's published IS 12615 testing information includes:

Measurement of stator winding resistance

and

No-load test at rated voltage.

These tests provide important information about the motor's electrical characteristics and performance.

The manufacturer should maintain a consistent method for:

1. Identifying the motor sample
2. Recording its specifications
3. Conducting the test
4. Recording measurements
5. Comparing results against applicable requirements
6. Maintaining the test record

This becomes especially important when multiple models are produced on the same production line.

Vibration and Noise Testing

Vibration and noise are often overlooked when manufacturers think about BIS testing.

BIS's laboratory database specifically lists test for vibration severity of motor and test for noise levels of motor for IS 12615.

These tests can require more specialized facilities than routine electrical measurements.

The laboratory may need appropriate:

• Vibration measurement equipment
• Noise measurement equipment
• Controlled test environment
• Suitable motor mounting arrangement
• Data-recording system

However, manufacturers should verify whether these tests are mandatory for their specific certification arrangement. The current BIS laboratory records and published certification documents should be checked before deciding whether to establish these facilities internally.

Degree of Protection and Other Tests

Depending on the applicable scope, testing can also address the motor enclosure's degree of protection, overspeed performance and temperature rise under limiting voltage and frequency conditions.

BIS's LIMS records list all of these testing areas for IS 12615 laboratories.

The published BIS product manual also distinguishes between required testing and tests where subcontracting is permitted. This means a manufacturer should not assume that every possible test must necessarily be performed inside its own factory laboratory.

The appropriate arrangement is test-specific and scope-dependent.

Calibration Is a Critical Part of Laboratory Readiness

Having testing equipment is only one part of the requirement.

The manufacturer should also maintain confidence in the accuracy of its measurements through appropriate calibration, equipment identification and records.

A practical laboratory system should maintain:

• Equipment register
• Calibration certificates
• Calibration due dates
• Test procedures
• Equipment operating instructions
• Test formats
• Sample identification
• Test results
• Corrective-action records

This creates traceability between the product tested and the result recorded.

For a manufacturer preparing for BIS ISI Certification for Electric Motors, weak laboratory documentation can become just as problematic as missing equipment.

Competent Personnel Matter Too

A laboratory does not become compliant simply because instruments have been purchased.

Personnel should understand:

• How the equipment operates
• Which test method applies
• How the motor should be connected
• What parameters must be recorded
• How to identify abnormal results
• How to maintain test records
• What safety precautions apply

This is particularly important for high-voltage, locked-rotor and high-power motor testing.

A manufacturer should be able to demonstrate that testing is performed through a controlled and repeatable process rather than depending entirely on one individual's informal knowledge.

What Does BIS Routine Testing Expect?

The published IS 12615:2018 Scheme of Testing and Inspection provides useful insight into the ongoing testing philosophy.

For example, it specifies:

• Dimensions — one motor of each type and design at first manufacture or when dimensions change
• Temperature rise — one motor of each type and design manufactured in three months
• Full-load efficiency, power factor and slip — one motor of each type and design manufactured in a month
• Momentary overload — one motor
• Locked-rotor test — one motor

The STI also specifies corrective actions and increased testing following failures in certain tests.

Therefore, manufacturers should plan their laboratory capacity around ongoing production, not just the initial BIS assessment.

Can Testing Be Outsourced?

In some cases, yes.

The BIS product manual identifies certain tests where subcontracting is permitted, while other tests are identified as required at the manufacturer's premises.

This creates two possible approaches:

In-house testing

The manufacturer establishes the necessary laboratory equipment and personnel.

External testing

Specific permitted tests are conducted through an appropriate external laboratory.

The correct combination depends on the applicable BIS requirements and certification scope.

Manufacturers should therefore map every test as:

Required in-house / Subcontracting permitted / Not applicable

before finalizing the laboratory investment.

A Practical Factory Readiness Checklist

Before BIS assessment, an electric-motor manufacturer should review:

For BIS Certification for Electric Motors, factory testing should be treated as an ongoing quality system rather than a one-time formality.

BIS's current laboratory information for IS 12615 demonstrates the breadth of testing that may be involved, including efficiency and full-load performance, temperature rise, locked-rotor testing, insulation resistance, high-voltage testing, vibration, noise, enclosure protection and overspeed testing.

At the same time, the published Scheme of Testing and Inspection shows that routine factory controls continue after certification, with defined testing frequencies for important characteristics.

The right laboratory setup therefore depends on the motor range, power rating, product configuration, applicable Indian Standard, current BIS product manual and certification scope.

Before purchasing equipment or finalizing an application, manufacturers should map their complete motor portfolio against the applicable testing requirements and determine which tests must be performed internally and which may be subcontracted. This approach helps create a more realistic certification plan and reduces the risk of discovering laboratory gaps during the BIS assessment.

What Determines the Cost and Timeline of BIS ISI Certification for Electric Motors? Understanding Motor Capacity, Pole Count, Frame Size, Variants, Testing Scope and Factory Readiness

For manufacturers planning BIS ISI Certification for Electric Motors, cost and timeline are rarely determined by a single government fee or one laboratory test. The overall effort depends on the motor range being certified, the number of technically different models, applicable testing, factory preparedness, documentation, inspection requirements and whether the proposed certification scope can be covered efficiently through the applicable grouping provisions.

For motors covered by IS 12615, BIS provides product-specific information, including a product manual, Scheme of Inspection and Testing and grouping guidance. BIS currently lists IS 12615:2018 under its product-specific certification information.

Why There Is No Single “BIS Certification Cost for Electric Motors”

Manufacturers often search for a fixed BIS Certification Cost for Electric Motors, but a meaningful estimate requires understanding the proposed product scope first.

A manufacturer applying for one technically consistent motor family may have a different testing requirement from a manufacturer offering dozens of models across different:

• Power ratings
• Pole counts
• Frame sizes
• Efficiency classes
• Designs
• Ratings
• Protection characteristics

Laboratory charges themselves can vary significantly with motor capacity and test scope. For example, BIS's laboratory database currently shows different charges for several IS 12615 tests across motor power ranges. Vibration testing, temperature-rise testing, degree-of-protection testing and other tests can have substantially different charges depending on the laboratory and motor rating.

So the correct question is not simply “How much does BIS certification cost?”

It is:

“What certification scope do I need, what testing does that scope require, and how ready is my factory?”

Motor Capacity Can Directly Affect Testing Effort

Motor capacity is one of the most obvious cost variables.

A manufacturer producing 5.5 kW motors does not necessarily require the same testing arrangement as one producing 75 kW or 110 kW motors.

BIS laboratory listings for IS 12615 demonstrate this difference. For example, charges for certain tests such as vibration, overspeed, pull-up torque and temperature rise at limiting voltage/frequency conditions increase across higher motor-power ranges.

Higher-rated motors can also require more substantial:

• Electrical supply capacity
• Loading arrangements
• Torque measurement
• Temperature measurement
• Safety controls
• Test-room infrastructure
• Handling equipment

Therefore, when estimating certification expenditure, manufacturers should identify the highest motor rating proposed for certification rather than considering only the smallest or most popular model.

Pole Count Can Influence the Certification Scope

Pole count is another important technical characteristic.

A manufacturer may have:

• 2-pole motors
• 4-pole motors
• 6-pole motors
• 8-pole motors

Even when these motors share the same general commercial description, they should be mapped individually against the applicable grouping and testing requirements.

This becomes particularly important when a company is trying to include a wide range of motors within one certification plan.

A useful internal table should therefore record:

This technical mapping should be completed before deciding how many samples need to be tested.

Frame Size and Motor Design Matter

Frame size is not simply a dimensional specification.

Changes in frame size can accompany changes in:

• Shaft dimensions
• Housing dimensions
• Cooling arrangement
• Mounting
• Rotor construction
• Stator construction
• Thermal characteristics

For certification planning, manufacturers should therefore avoid assuming that motors with similar power ratings automatically represent the same technical design.

The applicable BIS grouping provisions should determine whether particular models can be considered together.

This is one reason BIS ISI Certification for Electric Motors should begin with a technical product matrix rather than a list of model names copied from a sales catalogue.

The Number of Variants Can Increase the Work

Consider a manufacturer producing 20 motor models.

If those models are technically similar and can be appropriately grouped under the applicable BIS requirements, the certification exercise may be more manageable.

But suppose the 20 models differ substantially in:

• Power
• Poles
• Efficiency
• Frame
• Construction
• Ratings

The testing and documentation strategy may become considerably more complicated.

The manufacturer may need to evaluate which models can be represented by particular samples and which require separate consideration.

This is where model grouping becomes one of the most important factors influencing both cost and practical workload.

The exact grouping treatment is product-specific and subject to the current BIS grouping guidelines.

Testing Scope Is a Major Cost Driver

Testing is often the most visible variable in the certification budget.

BIS's IS 12615 laboratory database identifies testing areas such as:

• Insulation resistance
• Stator winding resistance
• No-load testing
• Locked-rotor testing
• High-voltage testing
• Full-load efficiency, power factor and slip
• Temperature rise
• Momentary overload
• Vibration
• Noise
• Degree of protection
• Overspeed
• Pull-up torque

The applicable tests depend on the product and certification requirements.

The laboratory database also shows that individual test charges can vary by motor rating. This means a certification estimate based only on a generic “testing package” may not accurately represent the actual expenditure.

Manufacturers should request a test-wise and model-wise assessment before finalizing the certification budget.

Factory Readiness Can Reduce Unnecessary Delays

A technically prepared factory is in a much stronger position than one that starts arranging testing infrastructure after beginning the certification process.

BIS's IS 12615 product manual identifies tests for which equipment is required at the manufacturer's premises and tests where subcontracting is permitted. It also establishes routine control requirements for important characteristics such as dimensions, temperature rise, full-load efficiency, power factor, slip, momentary overload and locked-rotor testing.

Before applying, manufacturers should verify:

• Testing equipment availability
• Calibration status
• Laboratory personnel
• Test procedures
• Manufacturing controls
• Quality records
• Sample identification
• External laboratory arrangements
• Corrective-action procedures

If these areas are incomplete, the certification process may require additional preparation.

Documentation Quality Also Affects the Timeline

A manufacturer may have technically good motors but still face avoidable questions if the documentation is inconsistent.

The following should match the actual product:

• Model numbers
• Rated power
• Voltage
• Frequency
• Pole count
• Frame size
• Efficiency class
• Drawings
• Product specifications
• Manufacturing details
• Testing records

BIS states that licence processing can be affected by factors such as responses to queries, organization of inspections, sample deposition and outstanding fees.

This is why documentation quality is not merely administrative.

It can influence how smoothly the certification application progresses.

How Factory Inspection Readiness Affects the Timeline

Where inspection is applicable, the factory should be ready to demonstrate its manufacturing and testing capabilities.

An assessment may require the manufacturer to demonstrate:

Product → Manufacturing process → Quality control → Testing → Records

If the factory has equipment but cannot demonstrate how it is used, calibrated or documented, additional clarification may be required.

Manufacturers should therefore conduct an internal readiness review before the formal assessment.

What About BIS Government Fees?

The overall expenditure should distinguish between different components.

BIS-related fees

These can include applicable application, processing, inspection, marking and licence-related charges under the relevant BIS framework.

Laboratory charges

These depend on the tests, motor rating, laboratory and scope.

Factory preparation

Costs can arise from testing equipment, calibration, personnel and infrastructure.

Consultancy and documentation

Professional support, where used, varies according to scope and complexity.

BIS states that marking fees are specified under the applicable BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, while the exact certification fees depend on the applicable scheme and product.

Therefore, manufacturers should avoid comparing consultants solely on a quoted “certificate price.”

What Actually Determines the Timeline?

The timeline is influenced by several connected stages:

Product classification

↓

Model and grouping assessment

↓

Documentation preparation

↓

Factory readiness

↓

Testing

↓

Application

↓

Factory assessment/inspection, where applicable

↓

Sample and test-result review

↓

Resolution of queries

↓

Licence decision

BIS's current FAQ states that, as a general reference, the average time for grant of a product-certification licence can be around one month under option 2 and four months under option 1 from receipt and recording of a complete application, but it also explicitly notes that the time can vary because of queries, inspection arrangements, sample deposition and fee-related matters.

These figures should therefore not be treated as a guaranteed timeline for an electric-motor certification project.

A Practical Cost and Timeline Planning Framework

Before starting BIS Certification for Electric Motors, prepare this matrix:

This exercise usually gives a much more realistic picture than asking for a flat certification price.

Common Mistakes That Increase Cost or Delay

Applying before defining the product scope

This can lead to inefficient sample and testing decisions.

Including too many variants without technical grouping

A large catalogue does not automatically mean every model should be included in one initial scope.

Ignoring the highest-rated motor

Testing capability may need to accommodate the largest motor proposed for certification.

Using outdated BIS documents

BIS maintains product manuals, grouping guidelines and implementation guidance, which should be checked for the current requirements.

Poor laboratory records

Missing calibration or test records can weaken factory readiness.

Treating consultancy as a shortcut

A BIS certification consultant can assist with planning and documentation, but technical conformity still depends on the manufacturer's product, factory, testing and applicable BIS requirements.

The cost and timeline of ISI Certification for Electric Motors are primarily driven by what you are certifying and how prepared the factory is.

Motor capacity, pole count, frame size and product variants determine how the product portfolio needs to be assessed. Testing requirements then influence laboratory expenditure, while factory readiness, documentation quality and inspection preparedness can affect how smoothly the certification process progresses.

BIS's own laboratory database demonstrates that testing charges can vary significantly according to motor rating and test type. Its product manual also establishes specific testing controls and distinguishes between tests requiring factory equipment and tests where subcontracting is permitted.

The most practical approach is therefore:

Define the motor range → map technical variants → assess grouping → identify testing → check factory readiness → prepare documentation → then estimate cost and timeline.

There is no responsible one-size-fits-all figure for BIS Certification Cost for Electric Motors. The final requirement depends on the motor configuration, certification scope, applicable BIS standard and current product-specific requirements, while processing time can vary based on application completeness, testing, inspection, queries and other case-specific factors.

What Happens After BIS Certification for Electric Motors? Understanding Routine Testing, ISI Marking, Model Changes, Energy-Efficiency Compliance, Surveillance and Licence Renewal

Obtaining BIS ISI Certification for Electric Motors is not the final compliance step. Once a manufacturer receives the licence, the responsibility shifts from proving conformity once to maintaining it consistently during production.

For electric motors covered under the relevant BIS framework, this means maintaining the approved product scope, conducting applicable routine tests, preserving testing records, using the BIS Standard Mark correctly and reviewing any new model or design change before treating it as part of the certified range.

There is also an important current-standard consideration: BIS published IS 12615:2026, the fourth revision of the standard for line-operated three-phase AC motors, in May 2026. The new revision includes updates relating to references, certification and testing explanations, customer-specific tests and extrapolation methods. Manufacturers should therefore verify the current implementation requirements applicable to their licence rather than relying indefinitely on older IS 12615:2018 documentation.

Routine Testing Continues After the Licence Is Granted

One of the biggest misconceptions is that testing is mainly an activity performed before obtaining the BIS licence.

In reality, ongoing production needs continuing quality control.

BIS's published information for IS 12615 includes tests and controls covering areas such as:

• Insulation resistance
• Stator winding resistance
• No-load performance
• Locked-rotor testing
• High-voltage testing
• Full-load performance
• Efficiency
• Power factor
• Slip
• Temperature rise
• Momentary overload
• Vibration
• Noise
• Degree of protection
• Overspeed
• Pull-up torque

The exact tests and frequency depend on the applicable standard, Scheme of Testing and Inspection, product scope and current BIS requirements.

For manufacturers, the practical lesson is simple: the factory laboratory should remain operational after certification, not just during the initial assessment.

Energy-Efficiency Compliance Must Be Maintained

For BIS Certification for Energy Efficient Motors, efficiency is not merely a specification printed on a motor nameplate.

It needs to remain consistent with the applicable certification requirements.

BIS's current material describes IS 12615 as covering efficiency classes and performance specifications for line-operated three-phase AC motors. The 2026 revision also continues to focus on energy-efficient motor performance and updates testing-related provisions.

A manufacturer should therefore maintain controls over factors that can affect motor efficiency, including:

• Electrical design
• Stator and rotor construction
• Winding characteristics
• Material specifications
• Manufacturing tolerances
• Assembly
• Cooling arrangement
• Rated operating conditions

If a production change affects the motor's efficiency or performance characteristics, it should not be treated as an ordinary cosmetic modification.

The potential certification impact should be assessed before commercial production of the changed model.

ISI Marking Must Match the Certified Product

The ISI Mark is connected to the manufacturer's BIS licence and the certified product scope. It should not be treated as a general quality logo that can be applied to any motor produced by the company.

BIS's IS 12615 testing information specifically includes BIS Certification Marking, as well as marking and labelling requirements.

Manufacturers should ensure that:

• The motor model is covered by the licence
• Required product information is correctly displayed
• Marking corresponds to the certified specifications
• The BIS Standard Mark is used according to applicable requirements
• Production and marking records remain traceable

This becomes particularly important when a company has several motor ranges with different ratings, poles or efficiency classes.

A manufacturer should not assume that certification of one motor automatically permits ISI marking of another motor simply because both products are sold under the same brand.

What Happens When a New Motor Model Is Introduced?

Product development rarely stops after certification.

A manufacturer may initially certify:

15 kW → 4-pole → IE3

and later introduce:

18.5 kW → 4-pole → IE3

or a new frame, efficiency class, enclosure configuration or design.

The new model should be reviewed against the applicable BIS grouping and certification requirements before it is treated as covered by the existing licence.

This is particularly important because certification scope is based on technical characteristics—not simply the manufacturer's commercial product family.

The review should consider:

• Model number
• Rated output
• Number of poles
• Frame size
• Voltage
• Frequency
• Efficiency class
• Construction
• Degree of protection
• Other applicable technical characteristics

The exact treatment of a new model is case-specific and subject to the current BIS product manual and applicable grouping requirements.

Design Changes Should Be Reviewed Before Production

Even an existing certified model can become a compliance concern if its design changes substantially.

For example, a manufacturer may change:

• Rotor design
• Stator winding
• Core material
• Shaft dimensions
• Cooling system
• Enclosure
• Insulation system
• Rated output
• Efficiency characteristics

A purchasing team may view the change as a cost-saving modification.

From a certification perspective, however, the question is different:

Does the modified product still conform to the certified configuration and applicable requirements?

The manufacturer should document significant changes and assess their impact before incorporating them into production.

Do not wait for a surveillance assessment to discover that a production modification should have been reviewed earlier.

Maintain Testing Equipment and Calibration

After certification, factory testing facilities remain an important part of the compliance system.

BIS laboratory records for IS 12615 demonstrate the breadth of technical testing associated with the standard, including efficiency, temperature rise, locked-rotor testing, vibration, noise, high-voltage testing and other characteristics.

The manufacturer should maintain:

• Test equipment
• Calibration records
• Equipment identification
• Test procedures
• Test registers
• Competent personnel
• Sample traceability
• Corrective-action records

Calibration should not be allowed to lapse simply because the equipment was accepted during the original certification process.

A laboratory that was ready two years ago may not be ready today if equipment has deteriorated, calibration has expired or testing personnel have changed.

Keep Production and Test Records Traceable

Good documentation becomes especially valuable when several motor models are produced simultaneously.

A practical traceability chain is:

Raw materials → Production → Motor model → Testing → Quality approval → Marking → Dispatch

Records should allow the manufacturer to identify what was produced, what was tested and whether the applicable requirements were met.

For example, if a particular motor model fails an internal efficiency or temperature-rise check, the manufacturer should be able to identify the relevant production batch and investigate the cause.

This is much more useful than maintaining isolated test reports with no connection to production records.

What About BIS Surveillance?

Certification does not mean the manufacturer will never again be assessed.

BIS conformity-assessment systems include mechanisms for monitoring continued conformity, and product-specific requirements can involve surveillance, factory records, testing and market-related assessment.

For a manufacturer, the safest approach is to maintain the factory in a state of continuous readiness.

That means:

Do not prepare for surveillance only when surveillance is announced.

Instead, maintain the same quality controls throughout production.

The factory should be able to demonstrate:

• What products are being manufactured
• Which models are licensed
• What testing has been performed
• Whether equipment is calibrated
• How failures are handled
• How product changes are controlled
• How the ISI Mark is being applied

What Happens If a Routine Test Fails?

A failed test should not simply be removed from the records.

The appropriate response depends on the applicable Scheme of Testing and Inspection and the nature of the failure.

The manufacturer may need to:

1. Identify the affected production
2. Investigate the cause
3. Take corrective action
4. Repeat applicable testing where required
5. Document the result
6. Review whether previously produced stock is affected

The published IS 12615 certification documentation includes defined testing controls and provisions associated with failures and corrective actions.

This is why production quality teams should have a documented procedure for handling non-conforming test results.

Licence Renewal Should Be Planned as a Compliance Review

Licence renewal should not be treated as simply paying a fee and continuing production.

Before renewal, the manufacturer should review:

• Current licence scope
• Certified models
• Applicable standard edition
• Current BIS product manual
• Testing records
• Calibration status
• Factory testing capability
• Product changes
• New models
• Discontinued models
• Marking practices
• Previous surveillance observations

This becomes even more important now that BIS has published IS 12615:2026. The fourth revision includes changes to technical references, certification and testing explanations and extrapolation methods.

Existing licence holders should therefore verify whether any transition or implementation action applies to their particular certification status.

A Practical Post-Certification Checklist

BIS Certification for Electric Motors is an ongoing compliance responsibility, not a one-time certificate.

After certification, manufacturers need to maintain the product within its approved scope, continue applicable testing, preserve laboratory capability, use the ISI Mark correctly and review new models or design changes before assuming they are covered.

BIS's current laboratory database confirms that IS 12615-related testing continues to cover a broad range of technical characteristics, including efficiency, full-load performance, temperature rise, locked-rotor testing, insulation, vibration, noise, degree of protection and marking.

At the same time, the publication of IS 12615:2026 makes it particularly important for manufacturers to keep their compliance system aligned with the current BIS position rather than relying solely on older IS 12615:2018 documentation.

The practical approach is:

Maintain the licence scope → test production → control changes → maintain laboratory readiness → use ISI marking correctly → retain records → address surveillance → review renewal and standard updates.

The exact testing frequency, model coverage, marking requirements, surveillance arrangements and treatment of product changes depend on the applicable BIS standard, current product manual, Scheme of Testing and Inspection, licence conditions and certification scope. Manufacturers should verify the latest BIS requirements whenever they introduce a new model, modify an existing motor or renew their certification.