Certification Marks in India: Quality Standards Trademarks Under Sections 69–78 (2026)

📅 May 2, 2026 • 🕐 9 min read • ✍ IP India Research Desk

✅ Quick Answer: A certification mark is a trademark owned by a body that certifies that goods/services meet its standards — but the body does NOT use the mark itself commercially. Examples: ISI (BIS), AGMARK, Woolmark, Ecomark. Registered under Sections 69–78 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

What Is a Certification Mark?

A certification mark indicates that the goods or services bearing it conform to standards established by the mark's owner. Unlike an individual or collective trademark, the certifying body does NOT use the mark in its own commercial activity — it only certifies that others' goods/services meet its defined standards.

Famous certification marks in India:

ISI Mark (BIS): Bureau of Indian Standards — certifies products meet Indian Standards
AGMARK: Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority — certifies agricultural product quality
Ecomark: Ministry of Environment — certifies environment-friendly products
Woolmark: International Wool Textile Organisation — certifies pure new wool products

Certification Mark vs Individual Trademark vs Collective Mark

Feature	Certification Mark	Individual TM	Collective Mark
Owner uses mark?	No — only certifies	Yes	No — members use
Purpose	Standards certification	Brand identity	Group membership
Who can use?	Anyone meeting the standards	Owner only	Association members
Governed by	Sections 69–78 TM Act	Sections 6–60 TM Act	Sections 61–68 TM Act

How to Register a Certification Mark in India

The certifying body (not a commercial entity selling the certified goods) files Form TM-A
Select 'certification mark' as the mark type
Submit the Draft Regulations specifying: the standards being certified, who may apply for certification, how the mark may be used, and the certifying body's monitoring/enforcement mechanism
The Registrar must be satisfied that the applicant is competent to certify the goods/services
The Registrar publishes the application and Regulations for objections
If approved, the certification mark is registered and the certifying body can license its use to qualifying businesses

Private Certification Marks for Industry Bodies

Indian industry associations can establish private certification marks:

A textile industry body certifying handloom products as 'Handloom Mark'
An organic industry body certifying organic products beyond government standards
A professional body certifying that service providers meet their quality standards

Private certification marks build consumer trust beyond mandatory government standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a certification mark in India?

A trademark registered by a body that certifies goods/services meet its standards — but the body itself does not trade in those goods/services. Governed by Sections 69–78 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

Can a private company register a certification mark?

A company that engages in the production, provision, or trade of the goods/services cannot register a certification mark for those goods/services — conflict of interest. The certifying body must be independent of commercial production of the certified goods.

Is AGMARK a certification mark?

Yes — AGMARK is a certification mark for agricultural products certifying they meet specified quality standards. It is registered and controlled by the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection under the Ministry of Agriculture.

What is the difference between ISI mark and a trademark?

The ISI mark is a certification mark owned by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) — it certifies product quality. A trademark is owned by a business and identifies the source of their products. A product can have both: an ISI certification (proving quality) and a brand trademark (identifying the manufacturer).

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