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India’s food safety regulator has removed the long-standing requirement for mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for packaged drinking water and mineral water, while introducing a far more stringent testing and compliance framework that will kick in from January 1, 2026.

In an order dated December 17, 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has gazette-notified the omission of provisions that mandated BIS certification under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction of Sales) Regulations, 2011. The move follows an earlier notification issued on October 17, 2024.

With this change, bottled water manufacturers will no longer be required to carry the BIS certification mark. However, the regulator underlined that the removal of certification does not mean a relaxation of standards.

Instead, FSSAI has rolled out a compulsory and detailed “Scheme of Testing” for packaged drinking water, excluding packaged natural mineral water, and for mineral water. All food business operators will be required to strictly follow this framework.

Under the new regime, manufacturers must maintain detailed testing records to establish product conformity. Packaging must comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, and the entire production process must remain aligned with Schedule IV of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, which lays down hygiene and good manufacturing practices.

Microbiological safety is a key focus of the new rules.

FSSAI has mandated monthly testing for a wide range of microbiological contaminants. These include coliform bacteria, faecal streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, yeast and mould, Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrio species.

Any microbiological failure will trigger immediate corrective action. This will include a full investigation, retesting of stock and proof of compliance across five consecutive batches before production and dispatch can resume. Records of such incidents will need to be preserved for at least five years for regulatory scrutiny.

Controls on source water have also been tightened.

Manufacturers will be required to test raw water for all prescribed parameters through FSSAI-notified, NABL-accredited laboratories before use. Any change in the water source will require fresh testing and regulatory clearance before commercial production restarts.

In cases where radioactive residues are detected, the source must be abandoned immediately. The affected water will need to be recalled, and the food authority informed without delay.

Packaging materials, including plastic bottles, jars, pouches, glass bottles, cartons and aluminium cans, must meet existing food packaging regulations. These will face enhanced scrutiny during inspections. Reused containers of five litres and above will be allowed only if they are durable, hygienic and free from damage.

The regulatory shift marks a move away from certification-led oversight to continuous compliance and testing. While the removal of mandatory BIS certification may reduce one layer of compliance, the expanded testing, documentation and audit requirements are expected to raise operational discipline across India’s highly competitive packaged water market.