Looking for BIS licensed GFRP rebar manufacturers in India? As of 1 October 2026, only five companies hold a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) licence to apply the ISI mark to GFRP rebar under IS 18256:2023. Below is the complete list, taken straight from the official BIS register, and a simple way to verify any supplier yourself.
Why does this matter? "IS 18256 compliant." "BIS approved." "ISI certified." Almost every GFRP rebar seller uses some version of these phrases. But being compliant with a standard and holding a BIS licence for it are two very different things — and only one of them can be checked on a government register.
The complete list: BIS licence holders for IS 18256:2023
Source: BIS Manak Online — List of Licences, Standard No. IS 18256, Technical Division CED, all states, checked 1 October 2026.
| # | Company | Licence No. (CM/L) | Location | Valid till | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FRP Anchor Rebars LLP | 8530168919 | Sonipat, Haryana | 29 Apr 2031 | Operative |
| 2 | ARC Insulation & Insulators Ltd | 5100284390 | South 24 Parganas, West Bengal | 11 Apr 2031 | Operative |
| 3 | RN Elements LLP | 7100164905 | Surat, Gujarat | 15 Sep 2031 | Operative |
| 4 | MRG Composites India Pvt Ltd | 7600217414 | Rajkot, Gujarat | 25 Dec 2026 | Operative |
| 5 | Infratek Composite | 7900158615 | Morbi, Gujarat | 10 May 2031 | Operative |
Three of the five licensed manufacturers are in Gujarat. There are no licence holders yet in South India, Maharashtra or the North-East.
This list will change as BIS grants new licences. Always check the live register before you place an order — the steps are below.
Why the BIS licence matters
IS 18256:2023 is the Indian specification for solid round GFRP bars used as concrete reinforcement. BIS certification for GFRP rebar is currently voluntary — no manufacturer is legally required to hold a licence, and unlicensed bars can still be sold. That is exactly why the licence is a useful signal: a manufacturer has chosen to put its factory and product under government oversight.
Any manufacturer can claim their bars meet IS 18256. A BIS licence means something more specific:
- BIS has inspected the factory and its quality control system.
- Samples were independently tested against IS 18256 at a BIS-recognised laboratory.
- The manufacturer is under ongoing surveillance — BIS can draw market and factory samples at any time, and can suspend the licence.
- Only a licence holder can legally put the ISI mark on GFRP bars under this standard.
For government work, PWD and NHAI-linked contractors, and any consultant who has to sign off on a material, the licence is the difference between "the seller says so" and "the Government of India has a record of it."
Licence scope: check the diameters, not just the name
A BIS licence is not a blanket approval for everything a company makes. Each licence covers specific varieties — for GFRP rebar, that means specific bar diameters.
On the BIS register, the Show Variety button next to each licence shows exactly which sizes are covered. A manufacturer may produce a wider range than its licence covers.
We'll be direct about our own licence: RN Elements' BIS licence currently covers 4 mm to 16 mm diameters. We manufacture larger sizes too, but only bars within the licensed range carry the ISI mark. If your project needs ISI-marked 20 mm or 25 mm bars, ask any supplier — including us — to show you the variety list.
How to verify any GFRP supplier in two minutes
You don't need to take anyone's word for it, including ours.
- Ask for the CM/L licence number. A genuine licence holder will give it immediately. It's a 10-digit number (for example, ours is CM/L-7100164905).
- Go to the BIS register. Open manakonline.in → Product Certification → Application/Licence Related → List of Licences.
- Search by standard. Enter IS 18256, set State to All, complete the captcha and click Generate Report.
- Match the details. The company name, licence number and factory address should all match what the supplier told you.
- Check status and validity. Status should read Operative, and the validity date should be in the future. Licences can also be listed under Licences Cancelled/Expired or Licences Under Stop Marking — check those tabs if something looks off.
- Click Show Variety. Confirm that the diameters you're ordering are covered.
- Check the bars on delivery. Licensed bars and bundle tags should carry the ISI mark with IS 18256 and the licence number. Ask for the test certificate for the lot.
If a supplier can't give you a CM/L number, or the number doesn't appear against IS 18256 on the register, the bars are not BIS-licensed — whatever the brochure says.
"Compliant" vs "licensed": the phrases to watch for
| What the seller says | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| "BIS licensed" / "ISI marked" + CM/L number | Verifiable on the BIS register |
| "IS 18256 compliant" / "as per IS 18256" | The seller's own claim; may be backed by a lab test report, but not a BIS licence |
| "Tested at NABL lab" | A test was done on some sample; check the report date, lab, and which bars were tested |
| "BIS approved" with no licence number | Ask for the CM/L number before you go further |
Test reports still have value — read our guide on how to read a GFRP rebar test report and what each IS 18256 test actually measures. But a single test report is a snapshot of one sample. A licence is continuous oversight of the factory.
Related standards you'll see alongside IS 18256
- IS 18255:2023 — the test methods for FRP bars. IS 18256 tells you what the bar must achieve; IS 18255 tells the lab how to test it.
- IRC 137:2022 — the Indian Roads Congress guideline for using GFRP in road and bridge structures, relevant for highway and PWD work.
- ACI 440 — the American Concrete Institute design guides, widely used by structural engineers for GFRP design.
You'll find all of these, with links to the official sources, on our technical resources page. Structural engineers can also see our GFRP specification guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many companies are BIS licensed for GFRP rebar in India? Five, as of 1 October 2026: FRP Anchor Rebars LLP, ARC Insulation & Insulators Ltd, RN Elements LLP, MRG Composites India Pvt Ltd, and Infratek Composite. Check the BIS register for the latest list.
Is BIS certification mandatory for GFRP rebar? No. BIS certification for GFRP rebar under IS 18256:2023 is currently voluntary. Manufacturers choose to apply, and unlicensed GFRP bars can still be sold legally.
Should I still insist on BIS licensed GFRP rebar? If your project is a government tender, a PWD or highway job, or needs a consultant's sign-off, check the specification first — some ask for ISI-marked material or a valid CM/L number. Even where it isn't required, a licence is the easiest way to know the factory is independently inspected and under ongoing surveillance.
Which BIS licensed GFRP manufacturers are in Gujarat? Three: RN Elements LLP (Surat), MRG Composites India Pvt Ltd (Rajkot) and Infratek Composite (Morbi).
Does a BIS licence cover all bar sizes? No. Each licence covers specific varieties (diameters). Use Show Variety on the BIS register to check.
Where can I see the ISI mark on GFRP bars? On the bars and/or bundle tags, together with the standard number (IS 18256) and the manufacturer's licence number.
Buying for a project?
RN Elements manufactures GFRP rebar in Surat, Gujarat, under BIS licence CM/L-7100164905. If you're specifying or buying GFRP, talk to our team — we'll share our licence details, variety list and lot test certificates up front, so you can verify everything before you order.
New to GFRP? Start with why engineers are switching from steel, or compare costs for your project.
Licence data taken from the Bureau of Indian Standards Manak Online register on 1 October 2026. Licence details can change; always verify on the official register before purchase. Company names are listed for information only and do not imply endorsement.