Mulch mats, conforming to IS 16202

Mulch mats and agro-textile ground covers for horticulture

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 16202

HSN 5911 90 40 (mulch mats conforming to IS 16202) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 16202:2014 for woven ground covers and IS 17731:2021 for orchard protection covers is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 01 July 2024 under the Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023. A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate for absence of prohibited hazardous dyes, administered by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

5911 90 40

Chapter

59 · Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles for industrial use

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 16202:2014 · effective 01-07-2024

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

Compliance steps

1
Verify the foreign manufacturer's BIS CM/L licence on the BIS online register against IS 16202:2014 for woven ground covers or IS 17731:2021 for orchard protection covers before placing the purchase order. Confirm the licence covers the specific product type, specification, and manufacturing facility.
Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 4248(E) dated 27-09-2023 · S.O. 1579(E) dated 28-03-2024
2
Ensure every mulch mat or ground cover bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product or permanently attached label, not on outer packaging alone.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023
3
Obtain a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate from an accredited laboratory of the exporting country, or a valid test report from TC or CSRTI, certifying absence of prohibited hazardous azo dyes. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo dye testing.
General Note 10 of the ITC (HS) Import Policy · DGFT Public Notice 14/2023 dated 14-06-2023
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the relevant IS standard (IS 16202:2014 or IS 17731:2021) on the bill of entry, accompanied by the PSIC. Customs verifies the CM/L in real time against the BIS register; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L triggers consignment detention.
Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023 · S.O. 4248(E) dated 27-09-2023 · BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is treating IS 16202:2014 and IS 17731:2021 as interchangeable across all agro-textile product types: IS 16202:2014 governs woven ground covers for horticulture, while IS 17731:2021 governs orchard protection covers — each with distinct construction, coating, and performance parameters. Importing an orchard protection cover under a CM/L scoped only to IS 16202:2014, or vice versa, constitutes an unlicensed import regardless of ISI mark presence, and exposes the consignment to detention and monetary penalty under the BIS Act, 2016.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 5911 90 40 require BIS certification?

Yes. Mulch mats and agro-textile ground covers under this tariff line require Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L licensing under the ISI Mark Scheme against IS 16202:2014 or IS 17731:2021, with effect from 01 July 2024 under the Agro Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023.

Is a Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate required in addition to BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. The PSIC from an accredited laboratory certifying absence of prohibited hazardous dyes is required under the textile import policy framework, independently of the BIS QCO. Imports from the EU, Serbia, Poland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are exempt from azo dye testing only.

Do both IS 16202:2014 and IS 17731:2021 apply to the same consignment?

Not necessarily. IS 16202:2014 applies to woven ground covers for horticulture and IS 17731:2021 applies to orchard protection covers; the applicable standard is determined by the product type, and the CM/L must be scoped to the correct standard for the goods being imported.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all product variants and manufacturing facilities?

No. A CM/L licence is specific to the IS standard, product specification, and licensed manufacturing facility; goods outside the licensed product scope or produced at an unlicensed facility are not covered and will be detained at port.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / DGFT / Indian Customs CUSDATA.