With the rapid urban lifestyle, the demand for safe, hygienic, and ready-to-consume beverages like bottled water and packaged juice is at an all-time high. However, to enter this competitive industry legally, bottling units must comply with stringent regulatory requirements laid out by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).

This article dives deep into the licensing requirements, compliance steps, application processes, and must-have documents for Water and Juice Bottling License: BIS & FSSAI Compliance.

Overview of BIS and FSSAI

- What is BIS?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national body responsible for certifying the safety, quality, and performance of products in India. For water bottling, BIS compliance is mandatory under IS standards.

- What is FSSAI?

The FSSAI regulates food safety across the country. It issues licenses to food business operators (FBOs), ensuring all consumable products meet safety and hygiene standards.

- Why Both Are Needed?

For bottled water and juices, BIS ensures product quality and safety, while FSSAI governs labeling, hygiene, and safety in processing and distribution. Without either, your product can't legally enter the market.

Types of Licenses for Bottling Units

• BIS Certification (for bottled water under IS 14543 or IS 13428)

• FSSAI License

  • Central License – for bottling plants exporting or producing >20 crores turnover

  • State License – for smaller operations within one state

Mandatory Compliance for Bottled Water Plants

• IS 14543: For packaged drinking water

• IS 13428: For natural mineral water

• Testing for TDS, heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contamination is mandatory.

Compliance for Juice Bottling Units

• Must follow FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations

• Adhere to limits on preservatives, acidity, and sugar content

• Use food-grade packaging materials

Eligibility Criteria for Bottling License

• A registered business entity (LLP, Pvt. Ltd., etc.)

• Proper plant setup with drainage, clean water source, and pest control

• Availability of in-house or NABL-certified lab for product testing

Detailed Application Process (FSSAI)

• Register on FoSCoS

• Submit Form B and supporting documents

• Pay license fee

• Await inspection (if required)

• License issuance

Detailed Application Process (BIS)

• Apply under relevant IS standard (IS 14543/IS 13428)

• Submit layout, water source details, and test reports

• Undergo factory inspection

• On approval, receive the ISI Mark License

Required Documents for FSSAI License

• Plant layout and blueprint

• NOC from municipal authority

• Water test report

• MOA/AOA of the company

• Identity and address proof

Required Documents for BIS Certification

• Application Form

• Test results from BIS-approved labs

• Factory equipment list

• Manufacturing process flowchart

• Quality control manual

Cost and Validity of Licenses

Lab Testing and Infrastructure Requirements

• Mandatory in-house testing facilities or third-party NABL-accredited labs

• Regular microbiological and chemical analysis

• Equipment for RO, UV, Ozonation (for water) or pasteurization (for juice)

Labeling Guidelines Under FSSAI and BIS

• Must include:

  • FSSAI License Number

  • BIS Certification Mark (ISI logo)

  • Nutritional Information

  • Batch number, MRP, manufacturing & expiry dates

Inspection and Quality Audits

• BIS conducts scheduled and unscheduled audits

• FSSAI conducts hygiene audits, especially after complaints or inspection triggers

Common Bottling License Mistakes

• Using non-food-grade packaging

• Submitting expired test reports

• Not clearly mentioning preservatives on labels

• Operating without in-house lab support

Infographic: Licensing Process Overview

Here is a simplified visual to help you understand the entire BIS & FSSAI licensing workflow.