Other

Water filtering and purifying machinery, other than household RO purifiers

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 16240 · CPCB OVERLAY

HSN 8421 21 90 (water filtering and purifying machinery for liquids) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 16240:2015 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 05 April 2023, pursuant to the Environment (Protection) 115th Amendment Rules, 2021. Extended Producer Responsibility obligations administered by the Central Pollution Control Board apply as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8421 21 90

Chapter

84 · Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 16240:2015 · effective 05-04-2023

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

CPCBCPCB·Central Pollution Control Board

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 16240:2015. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope (domestic water purification system or other-than-domestic), and licensed manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
IS 16240:2015 · Scheme-I, Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · G.S.R. 724(E) dated 04-10-2021
2
Ensure every unit bears the ISI standard mark and the supplier's CM/L number, as required under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. The mark must appear on the product itself, not packaging alone.
Scheme-I, Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · G.S.R. 724(E) dated 04-10-2021
3
Obtain Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board before import. Discarded elements (plastic, electronic, and electrical waste from the purification system) must be covered under EPR. MSMED-registered micro enterprises are exempt from EPR.
G.S.R. 724(E) dated 04-10-2021 · Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 · E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016
4
Ensure compliance with the Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023 for packaging and discarded elements generated by the imported units. Verify that the EPR plan covers plastic waste obligations under the amended rules.
G.S.R. 807(E) dated 30-10-2023
5
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the CPCB EPR authorisation reference on the bill of entry. Customs verifies the CM/L against the BIS register in real time; an absent, expired, or scope-mismatched CM/L triggers consignment detention.
BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962 · G.S.R. 724(E) dated 04-10-2021

A word of counsel

The most common error on this tariff line is assuming that any water-filtration apparatus under HSN 8421 21 90 falls uniformly within IS 16240:2015. The standard's primary scope is reverse-osmosis-based point-of-use domestic and other-than-domestic water purification systems; industrial or non-RO filtration equipment at this HSN may sit outside the QCO's product scope, yet importers routinely seek a CM/L licence for out-of-scope units or, conversely, present an out-of-scope unit without a CM/L and face detention. Confirm with the supplier in writing that the imported product matches the precise product type (DWPS or ODWPS) notified under G.S.R. 724(E) before filing the purchase order.

Need a regulatory steer on this product?

Speak to a regulatory counsel about your specific HSN, IS, and supplier situation.

Speak to an Expert

Frequently asked

Does HSN 8421 21 90 require BIS certification?

Yes. Reverse-osmosis-based point-of-use water purification systems within this tariff line require conformity to IS 16240:2015 under the ISI Mark Scheme, with effect from 05 April 2023; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence.

Is Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. EPR authorisation is administered by the Central Pollution Control Board and is independent of the BIS CM/L licence. Micro enterprises as defined in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 are exempt from the EPR requirement.

Do both domestic and other-than-domestic water purification systems require IS 16240:2015 certification?

Yes. G.S.R. 724(E) covers both domestic water purification systems (DWPS) and other-than-domestic water purification systems (ODWPS) under IS 16240:2015, though ODWPS are additionally regulated under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and rules under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all product variants from the same manufacturer?

No. The CM/L is scope-specific by product type, model, and licensed manufacturing facility; variants outside the licensed scope or from an unlicensed plant are not covered, and customs will detain consignments where the declared product falls outside the CM/L scope.

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