BIS Registration for Asbestos Cement Cable Conduits and Troughs IS 8870:1978

If you are manufacturing or importing asbestos cement cable conduits and troughs in India, you are not dealing with a voluntary compliance scheme. You are operating in a product category that is covered under a notified quality control order. That changes everything.

These products must meet IS 8870:1978 standards and have a valid license from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) by 2026. The Bureau of Indian Standards Act 2016 and the Quality Control Order that the Government of India sent out through the right ministry cover this requirement

If you ignore this, your goods can be stopped at customs, seized from the market or challenged during inspection

Read More BIS Registration for Silica-Asbestos-Cement Flat Sheets IS 13000:1990

Why This Product Falls Under Mandatory Certification

The government has issued a Quality Control Order (QCO) covering asbestos- or fiber cement-based products. Under that order, specific products, including asbestos cement cable conduits and troughs, must conform to the relevant Indian Standard.

For this product, the applicable standard is IS 8870:1978 – Asbestos Cement Cable Conduits and Troughs.

Once a QCO is notified and comes into force, you cannot legally manufacture, store, sell, import, or distribute the notified product without a BIS license and the standard mark (ISI mark). This is not optional. The only exception typically applies to goods meant strictly for export.

So the first thing you must confirm is simple: Is your product technically covered under IS 8870:1978? If yes BIS certification is mandatory

What IS 8870:1978 Actually Requires From You

Many manufacturers focus only on “getting the certificate.” That approach causes trouble.

IS 8870:1978 lays down specific requirements relating to:

• Dimensions and tolerances.
• Mechanical strength
• Water absorption limits
• Quality of raw materials
• Testing procedures and sampling

BIS does not certify a document. It certifies your manufacturing capability to consistently produce goods that meet the standard.

This means your internal quality control must align with the testing requirements in the standard. During inspection officers will check whether you can maintain conformity on an ongoing basis

Step 1: Prepare Your Factory Before You Apply

Do not rush to file the application before your factory is ready

You should first:

• Review IS 8870:1978 in full.
• Align your production process with the technical clauses
• Establish in-house quality control checks
• Identify required test parameters and equipment

BIS officers expect you to demonstrate control over production, not just show a lab report.

If your internal system is weak, inspection will become difficult

Step 2: Testing in a BIS-Recognised Laboratory

Your product must be tested as per IS 8870:1978 in a BIS-recognized laboratory.

The test report must:

• Cover all mandatory parameters under the standard.
• Clearly mention the product description and identification.
• Be issued in the name of the applicant manufacturer.

You cannot use outdated or partial reports. BIS cross-checks details carefully.

This is where many applications face delay either because the report does not match the standard fully, or because identification details are inconsistent.

Step 3: Online Application Through the BIS Portal

You must apply through the official BIS Manakonline portal.

The application includes:

• Factory details
• Manufacturing process description
• Machinery list
• Test reports
• Quality control personnel details
• Raw material control process
• Undertakings and declarations

Accuracy matters more than speed. One incorrect technical entry can trigger a query and push your file back.

If you are a foreign manufacturer, you must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) to file and manage the application

Step 4: Factory Inspection by BIS

Once your application and documents are reviewed, BIS schedules a factory inspection.

During inspection, officers typically:

• Verify raw material control.
• Check manufacturing processes.
• Review in-house testing facilities.
• Draw samples for independent testing.

This stage determines whether you receive the license.

You should treat inspection as a technical audit, not as a formality.

Step 5: Grant of License and Use of ISI Mark

If inspection and independent testing are satisfactory, BIS grants a license to use the standard mark.

Only after receiving the license can you affix the ISI mark on your asbestos-cement cable conduits and troughs.

The license is subject to surveillance. BIS may conduct periodic inspections and market sampling. Compliance does not end after approval.

Read More BIS Registration for Fibre Cement Flat Sheets IS 14862:2000

Risks of Non-Compliance.

You should clearly understand the consequences of ignoring mandatory certification:

• Customs clearance can be blocked for imported consignments
• State enforcement authorities may seize non-marked goods
• Legal action may be initiated under the BIS Act, 2016.
• Financial penalties and reputational damage may follow

In 2026, enforcement under QCO-covered products has become stricter. Random checks are no longer rare

Conclusion

Because of the quality control order, it will be required to register asbestos-cement cable conduits and troughs with BIS in 2026. This is required by law, not just a marketing choice.

You need to get your factory ready, do the right tests, fill out the right application, pass an inspection and keep following the rules

Agile Regulatory can help you with structured compliance support based on real-world regulatory experience if you want the process to go smoothly from start to finish. If you get the right help and do the right things, you can get your BIS license without any unnecessary delays and keep your business fully compliant in the Indian market