India Mandates Stricter BIS Standards for Sanitary Napkins

New regulatory measures by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will enforce mandatory quality certification for sanitary pads and diapers sold in India, marking a significant step toward safeguarding women's health. The policy requires all manufacturers—domestic and international—to obtain BIS certification for their products, with compliance deadlines set for April 1, 2024 (large manufacturers) and October 1, 2024 (small/micro enterprises).

The BIS certification serves as a rigorous quality assurance mechanism, ensuring sanitary pads meet the IS 5405:2019 standard across critical parameters. This includes:

• Material Safety: Strict controls on pH levels and biocompatibility to prevent skin irritation
• Performance: Standardized absorption capacity and anti-leakage structural integrity
• Environmental Impact: Enhanced biodegradability requirements
• Hygiene Standards: Sterile manufacturing conditions

The IS 5405:2019 specification applies to disposable sanitary pads of all designs (including winged and non-winged variants). Key testing criteria include:

The phased enforcement affects multiple hygiene product categories:

Manufacturers must undergo a multi-stage evaluation:

• Factory inspection and quality system audit
• Product sampling for laboratory testing
• Ongoing market surveillance post-certification

The policy aligns with India's broader effort to standardize medical textiles and personal hygiene products, building upon existing BIS-ISI certification frameworks for industrial goods.