How to File RTI with BIS for Standards Certification, Hallmarking and Product Licence Verification

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body, established under the BIS Act, 2016 (which replaced the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986). Operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, BIS sets Indian Standards (IS documents), certifies products under the ISI Mark and the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), runs the mandatory hallmarking programme for gold jewellery, and enforces Quality Control Orders (QCOs) that make BIS certification compulsory for specific product categories. BIS is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005.

For consumers who suspect counterfeit BIS marks, jewellers disputing hallmarking assay results, businesses seeking clarity on mandatory certification obligations, and researchers needing IS standard details, RTI is a precise and legally binding tool to obtain certified information from BIS.

What BIS Does — and Why RTI Is Relevant

BIS operates several distinct programmes, each generating records accessible through RTI:

The BIS Act, 2016 significantly expanded BIS's enforcement powers compared to the 1986 Act — including the power to seize goods, compound offences, and initiate prosecution. This means BIS now generates enforcement records (inspection reports, seizure lists, FIRs, prosecution status) that citizens and businesses can access through RTI.

Key RTI Uses for BIS

Licence validity verification: The most common RTI use — asking BIS to confirm on the record whether a specific CM/L or FMCS licence number is valid. A counterfeit ISI mark is a criminal offence under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016 and an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. A certified RTI response confirming that a licence is invalid or was cancelled is admissible evidence.

Hallmarking and HUID queries: Mandatory gold hallmarking with HUID was rolled out in phases from June 2021 under the BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018. BIS maintains a central HUID database and registers all Assay and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs). If an AHC has been issuing marks without proper assaying, or if a HUID does not match BIS records, RTI can surface the AHC's inspection and complaint history.

IS standard information: While BIS sells IS document text commercially, administrative metadata — the adoption date, revision history, Technical Committee composition, whether a standard underpins a mandatory QCO — is disclosable under RTI.

Mandatory certification (QCO) records: If you need the exact text of a Quality Control Order, the implementation timeline prescribed, or the list of products for which certification has been made mandatory under a given QCO, RTI is the direct route. QCOs are gazetted, but RTI ensures you get a certified copy with the correct gazette reference.

Enforcement actions: BIS conducts market surveillance, raids, and joint enforcement drives with state police. Enforcement records — the number of raids, products seized, FIRs registered, prosecutions, and compounding orders — are disclosable public authority information under RTI.

Where to File

File on rtionline.gov.in:

1. Select Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
2. Select Bureau of Indian Standards
3. For matters handled by a BIS Regional or Branch Office (hallmarking inspections, local enforcement), you may also address the CPIO at the relevant BIS Regional Office — but routing through HQ on rtionline.gov.in is the most reliable approach

BIS has Regional Offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Chandigarh, and other cities, and Branch Offices across India. The CPIO at BIS HQ can transfer your application to the concerned office under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act if needed.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

Licence and product certification:

1. Whether BIS product licence No. CM/L-XXXXXXX / FMCS-XXXXX granted to Manufacturer Name for Product under IS Standard No. is currently valid, suspended, or cancelled — and the period of validity
2. Copy of the suspension / cancellation order and the BIS Act, 2016 provision cited, if the licence has been revoked
3. Whether Manufacturer Name / Brand holds any valid BIS licence for Product Category / IS Standard No. as of the date of this application

Hallmarking and AHC records: 4. Current registration status of Assay and Hallmarking Centre bearing registration No. AHC-XXXXX — whether active, suspended, or cancelled 5. All complaints received by BIS against AHC name / number in the last two years — number of complaints, nature of alleged violation, and action taken 6. BIS inspection reports for AHC name / number conducted in the last two years

IS standard details: 7. Title, scope, date of first adoption, date of last revision, and current status of Indian Standard IS Standard Number 8. Whether IS Standard Number is currently under revision — if yes, the stage of revision and the expected completion date 9. Name and composition of the Technical Committee responsible for IS Standard Number

QCO and mandatory certification: 10. A copy of the Quality Control Order / mandatory certification notification making BIS certification compulsory for Product Category, including the gazette reference and implementation date 11. Whether the mandatory certification requirement under QCO No. reference has been extended, amended, or stayed by any court or government order

Enforcement: 12. Number of raids / market surveillance operations conducted by BIS for Product Category in City/Region during period — products seized, FIRs registered, and status of prosecutions

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): File with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at BIS within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable.

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): File with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days. BIS is a Central Government statutory body — the second appeal always goes to the CIC, not any State Information Commission.