BIS certification for storage units is now mandatory in India under the Furniture QCO. If you manufacture or import cabinets, cupboards, wardrobes or filing units, your products must meet Indian Standard IS 17634:2022 and carry the ISI Mark before they can be legally sold. This guide explains what IS 17634 covers, what BIS tests for, who needs to comply and how to get certified in 2026.
What does IS 17634 cover?
IS 17634:2022 is the Indian Standard for storage units — the free-standing and wall-hung furniture used to store items at home or in the workplace. BIS certification for storage units under this standard applies to:
- Wardrobes and almirahs
- Office storage cabinets and filing cabinets
- Cupboards, sideboards and dressers
- Bookcases and open or closed shelving units
- Drawer units and pedestals
If your product is designed to store things and falls into one of these groups, it needs the ISI Mark under IS 17634.
Why BIS certification for storage units is mandatory
Under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order, storage units are among the six notified categories. That makes BIS certification for storage units a legal requirement rather than an optional quality claim. Selling non-certified storage furniture is an offence under the BIS Act, 2016 and can bring fines, product seizure and halted sales. Certification also builds buyer trust and keeps you eligible for government and institutional tenders including the GeM portal, where ISI-marked furniture is expected.
What does BIS test under IS 17634?
Storage furniture must stay upright and hold weight safely, so testing focuses on stability and strength. For BIS certification for storage units, samples are evaluated for:
- Stability — resistance to tipping when drawers or doors are open or loaded
- Strength and durability of doors, drawers, hinges, runners and shelves under repeated use
- Load-bearing capacity of shelves and drawers
- Safety of edges, corners and mechanisms
Tip-over stability is a particular focus, since a loaded cabinet that topples is a real safety hazard.
Who needs BIS certification for storage units?
Anyone who makes, imports or sells storage furniture in India:
- Manufacturers apply for an ISI Mark license.
- Importers must sell only certified ISI-marked storage units — through a certified foreign manufacturer under FMCS or a certified supplier.
- Modular-furniture makers and office-furniture suppliers are squarely covered, since wardrobes and filing cabinets are high-volume categories.
How to get BIS certification for storage units
The process follows the standard BIS route:
- Confirm IS 17634 is the correct standard for your product.
- Prepare documentation — business papers, factory layout, machinery list and quality-control procedures.
- Apply on the BIS Manak Online portal and pay the fees.
- Test samples at a BIS-recognized lab against IS 17634.
- Pass the factory inspection.
- Receive your CM&L license and affix the ISI Mark.
The full journey usually takes two to four months depending on documentation quality and lab testing queues, so start early. For the wider picture see our BIS certification process for furniture, confirm whether BIS certification is mandatory for furniture or get end-to-end help via BIS certification for furniture in Guwahati.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BIS certification for storage units mandatory in India? Yes. Storage units are covered under IS 17634 and the Furniture QCO and must carry the ISI Mark before being sold.
Are cupboards and wardrobes covered under IS 17634? Yes. Cupboards, wardrobes, cabinets and shelving fall under IS 17634 and need the ISI Mark.
What is the main focus of IS 17634 testing? Stability against tipping plus the strength and durability of doors, drawers and shelves under everyday use.
Manufacture or import storage units? Caliber Management Solutions handles BIS certification for storage units under IS 17634 — from documentation and testing to the ISI Mark license — for businesses across Guwahati, Assam and Northeast India. Book a free consultation today.
