Certifications do two things: they reduce the friction of selling (buyers trust certified businesses) and they unlock government contracts. In 2026, GeM portal tenders increasingly require ISO or BIS certification. Here are the 5 certifications our clients get the highest ROI from.
1. ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management System
ISO 9001 is the world's most widely adopted quality standard. For MSMEs, it signals to corporate buyers and government tendering authorities that your processes are reliable and audited. It's often a mandatory criterion in rate contracts.
- Cost: ₹25,000–₹60,000 (depending on company size)
- Timeline: 45–60 days
- Validity: 3 years (annual surveillance audit)
- Best for: Manufacturing, services, IT companies, consultancies
2. FSSAI License — Food Safety
Mandatory for any business handling, manufacturing, storing, or distributing food products. The FSSAI license is a legal requirement — without it, food businesses face closure orders. There are 3 levels: Basic (turnover < ₹12L), State (₹12L–₹20Cr), Central (> ₹20Cr or multi-state).
3. BIS Certification — Bureau of Indian Standards
BIS (ISI mark) is mandatory for 370+ product categories as of 2026 — including electronics, electrical goods, packaged water, cement, and steel. Selling regulated products without BIS certification is a criminal offence with fines up to ₹2 lakh.
4. IEC — Import Export Code
If your business imports or exports anything — goods, services, or intellectual property — an IEC code is mandatory. It's issued by DGFT and is a lifetime code with no renewal. It's also required to receive foreign payments via SWIFT and to avail export incentives like RoDTEP.
5. ZED Certification — Zero Defect Zero Effect
The government's ZED scheme gives MSMEs access to subsidized certification (50–80% subsidy) for quality and sustainability practices. ZED-certified businesses get preference in government procurement and can access ₹5 lakh performance-linked incentives.
2026 Trend
The GeM portal now displays certification badges on vendor profiles. Buyers filter by ISO/BIS/ZED-certified vendors. Not having at least ISO 9001 means you're invisible to 40% of government buyers on GeM.
Which Certification Should You Get First?
| Your Business Type | Priority Certification | Recommended Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Food / Beverage | FSSAI → ISO 22000 → HACCP | 1 – 3 Months |
| Manufacturing (regulated products) | BIS (ISI Mark) → ISO 9001 | 2 – 4 Months |
| Any Exporter | IEC → ISO 9001 → APEDA (if agri) | 1 – 2 Months |
| IT / Services | ISO 9001 → ISO 27001 | 1 – 3 Months |
| Any MSME Targeting Government | ISO 9001 → ZED Certification | 2 – 5 Months |
Vikram Nair
Certification Specialist · DreamMore
Vikram has helped 500+ MSMEs navigate certifications and compliance. Book a free consultation to get personalized advice.