ISI and FSSAI are the two terminologies used for the authenticity of products sold and manufactured in India. In our everyday life, we consume many packaged items that contain FSSAI marks and whenever we buy some sturdy items like Refrigerators, Iron, etc., they contain ISI marks as ok tested.
Even the packaged water we drink also has FSSAI certification on it. Both the authorities have separate functions to perform.
Key Takeaways
- ISI mark is a certification given to products that conform to Indian standards, while FSSAI is a regulatory body that ensures the safety and quality of food products.
- ISI mark is mandatory for certain products, such as electrical appliances, whereas FSSAI registration is mandatory for all food business operators in India.
- While ISI and FSSAI are concerned with product quality, FSSAI has a wider regulatory ambit than ISI.
ISI vs FSSAI
ISI is an organizations in India that creates and maintains quality standards for industrial products, such as cement, steel, and food products. FSSAI is an organization which is responsible for setting standards for food products, ensuring their safety and quality, and enforcing regulations.
The term ISI is used as an abbreviation of Indian Standard Institution which was primarily formed to certify the products manufactured and traded in India.
Registration for ISI institutions was taken under the Society Registration Act, 1860. This body was reformed as BIS in October 2017 under the National Standard Body of India.
The term FSSAI is referred to the certificated and license issued under the Food Safety and Security Act, 2006. It handles issues related to all the edible items throughout India and frames regulatory guidelines to sell food items.
It follows the scientific fundamentals to store, sell, distribute, trade, and import edible items in India.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | ISI | FSSAI |
|---|---|---|
| Head Quarters | The headquarters of ISI is situated in New Delhi in FDA Bhawan. | The headquarters of FSSAI is situated in Old Delhi in Manak Bhawan. |
| Established | ISI was established in the year 1986 on 23rd December. | FSSAI was established in the year 2006. |
| The objective | The objective of ISI is to issue certification to quality goods and to set a standard for good products. | The objective to form FSSAI was to supply only quality food products in India. |
| Items Covered | The ISI certification covers all items manufactured and traded in India except Food products. | FSSAI license covers all edible food items manufactured, traded, and imported in India. |
| Regulatory Authority | Regulatory Authority for ISI in India is the National Standards Body of India. | The regulatory Authority for FSSAI in India is the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. |
What is ISI?
ISI is the abbreviation of Indian Standard Institution which acts as certifying authority for goods manufactured in India. Presently ISI is prominently known as BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards).
When we buy some electrical appliances like iron for clothes. It should be ISI certified to ensure that it has qualified the quality testing for electric shock and short circuits prevention.
The purpose behind forming the body for Indian Standard is to ensure that citizens of Indian countries do not face any bad consequences of products supplied and imported in India.
These standards are designed to ensure consumers’ safety and convenience. The parent agency for ISI certification is the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
It has four regional offices in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Chandigarh along with Headquarters in New Delhi. Apart from four regional offices, the Bureau of Indian Standard has 20 branches all over India.
Currently, ISI is governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 which came into existence on October 12, 2017. The primary function performed by the BIS is to promote the rules and regulations of BIS throughout India and make our country better in International Market.
These ISI standards are developed keeping in mind ISO certifications.
What is FSSAI?
FSSAI is an abbreviation for Food Safety and Standard Authority of India which is governed by the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. This authority is centered in New Delhi.
If you buy a packet of snack items or biscuits there is a license number mentioned behind it, that Food safety license is issued by the FSSAI department of India to ensure that Indian citizens do not consume any harmful substance.
Food manufacturing companies use many adultered products and harmful chemicals in their making process. To stop the usage of such non-edible and harmful substances, the Indian Government launched the concept of FSSAI license number on every edible item manufactured and imported in India except medicine.
Every Food stall or food serving hotel is required to obtain this license for consumer safety.
Not even manufacturing of Food items, also if someone trades any edible product by putting its label, in those cases as well the businessman is required to apply for FSSAI license.
The Authority issues registration certificates under FSSAI for firms having annual turnover up to 12 lacs and License if the turnover of a firm is more than 12 lacs.
Every branch of the food manufacturing unit is required to obtain a separate license under FSSAI.
Main Differences Between ISI and FSSAI
- Marking Structure: ISI issues certificates to quality-tested products in India whereas FSSAI issues certificates to small units and Food item selling licenses to big units.
- Logo: ISI marks appear to be in two colors only black and white on the flip side FSSI mark is in multi-colors namely red, orange, yellow, etc.
- Service sector: ISI regulations are not applicable to the service sector whereas FSSAI regulations are also applicable to food service sectors like restaurants, cafes, food stalls, etc.
- Formation: The ISI mark standards were formed earlier than Food safety standards.
- Chairperson: The Chairperson of ISI is Mr. Pramod Kumar Tiwari and on the other hand Chairperson of FSSAI is Mr. Rajesh Bhushan.
Last Updated : 17 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
