The mandatory BIS Certification Mark is no longer required for Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water.

The FSSAI issued a directive on December 17, 2025, regarding the new Scheme of Testing for Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) and Mineral Water (MW). This follows the removal of mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification, which was officially omitted on October 17, 2024.
Key Compliance Dates and Enforcement
Effective Date: All Food Business Operators (FBOs) must strictly comply with the new testing scheme starting January 1, 2026.
BIS Mark: The mandatory BIS Certification Mark is no longer required for these products.
Core Testing Requirements
The scheme mandates rigorous testing of source water, final products, and packaging materials to ensure safety and quality.
Source Water: Must be tested for all parameters from an FSSAI-notified, NABL-accredited laboratory before use. If radioactive residues are found, the source must be abandoned and water recalled immediately.
Microbiological Standards:
Parameters like Coliform Bacteria, Salmonella, and Vibrio cholerae must be tested once a month.
If non-compliance occurs, production can only restart after five consecutive batches show satisfactory results.
Chemical and Pesticide Testing:
Substances like Barium, Copper, and Nitrates must be tested once every three months.
Pesticide residues must be tested once every six months.
Non-compliance in these tests increases the frequency to monthly until three consecutive batches pass.
Packaging and Hygiene
Materials: All packaging—including plastic jars, glass bottles, and aluminum cans—must conform to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, 2018.
Migration Testing: Plastic and metal containers generally require migration testing once every six months.
Sanitation: Reused containers (5 liters and above) must be durable and easily disinfected. Facilities must prominently display schedules for hygienic practices and maintain these records for FSSAI scrutiny.
Records and Reporting
Record Keeping: FBOs must maintain detailed test records for at least five years.
Risk Inspection: Plants showing consecutive non-compliance in six-month reports will be subject to risk-based inspections by FSSAI.