BIS Certification for Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs | IS 2507 – Qualitance India
BIS Certification for Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs
Cold-rolled steel strips are widely used in the manufacturing of springs and other engineering components that require controlled mechanical properties, dimensional accuracy and consistent material quality.
These strips are used in automotive components, industrial machinery, engineering equipment, furniture and various other applications where strength, hardness, elasticity and dimensional consistency are important.
The Indian Standard historically governing this product was IS 2507:1975 – Specification for Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs.
However, manufacturers should be aware of an important regulatory development: BIS withdrew IS 2507:1975 on 23 August 2026 and superseded it with IS 2507:2026, titled Cold-reduced carbon and alloy steel sheets and strips – Specification.
This article explains the earlier IS 2507:1975 requirements, its BIS product manual, testing and certification considerations, and the important changes manufacturers should verify before pursuing certification under the current standard.
1. What is IS 2507?
IS 2507:1975 was titled:
Specification for Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs (First Revision).
The standard prescribed requirements for cold-rolled steel strips intended for the manufacture of springs.
It covered important product characteristics, including:
- Chemical composition
- Mechanical properties
- Dimensional tolerances
- Decarburization
- Surface condition
- Edge condition
- Freedom from defects
- Testing and inspection requirements
The standard covered different steel grades and designations intended for spring manufacturing applications.
Cold-rolled steel strips may be supplied in different conditions, including:
- Cold-rolled
- Annealed
- Hardened and tempered
The applicable product grade, steel designation, thickness, width and supply condition determine the relevant technical requirements.
2. Important Update: IS 2507:1975 Withdrawn and Replaced by IS 2507:2026
The status of this standard has changed.
According to the BIS Standard Details portal:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Earlier standard | IS 2507:1975 |
| Earlier title | Specification for Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs |
| Earlier status | Withdrawn |
| Withdrawal date | 23 August 2026 |
| New standard | IS 2507:2026 |
| New title | Cold-reduced Carbon and Alloy Steel Sheets and Strips – Specification |
| Certification status shown for 1975 edition | Voluntary |
| Product category | Wrought Steel Products |
This is a significant change because the 2026 edition has a broader title and product description than the earlier spring-strip-specific standard.
What does this mean for manufacturers?
Manufacturers planning a new BIS certification application should not automatically rely on the withdrawn 1975 edition or its March 2021 product manual.
Before proceeding, they should:
- Obtain the current IS 2507:2026 standard.
- Confirm whether their product falls within its scope.
- Identify the applicable grades and technical requirements.
- Verify the current BIS certification status.
- Confirm whether a new product manual and testing arrangements have been published.
The earlier product manual and testing information discussed below relate specifically to IS 2507:1975. They should not be treated as confirmed requirements for IS 2507:2026.
3. Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs?
The BIS Standard Details portal currently identifies the withdrawn IS 2507:1975 edition as Voluntary Certification and does not show a Gazette document under its standard-specific QCO details.
Although IS 2507 appears in the BIS Scheme-I product listing, this listing by itself does not establish that certification is mandatory under a Quality Control Order.
The distinction is important:
- Voluntary certification: A manufacturer may seek BIS certification to demonstrate conformity and product quality.
- Mandatory certification: A valid government Quality Control Order requires compliance and the applicable BIS Standard Mark licence.
For manufacturers considering certification under the replacement IS 2507:2026, the current standard’s certification status and any applicable government notification should be checked separately.
Do not assume that the earlier QCO position, product manual or licence scope automatically carries forward to the replacement standard.
4. Grades and Steel Designations under IS 2507:1975
The earlier edition specified eleven grades of steel strips.
The March 2021 BIS Product Manual identifies the following grades and steel designations:
| Grade | Steel designation |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 45C8 |
| Grade 2 | 55C6 |
| Grade 3 | 65C6 |
| Grade 4 | 70C6 |
| Grade 5 | 75C6 |
| Grade 6 | 80C6 |
| Grade 7 | 85C6 |
| Grade 8 | 98C6 |
| Grade 9 | 55Si7 |
| Grade 10 | 50Cr4 |
| Grade 11 | 50Cr4V2 |
The product manual also provides grouping guidelines for these grades.
These designations are reproduced for reference to the earlier edition and must not be assumed to be the grade structure of IS 2507:2026.
5. Technical Requirements under IS 2507:1975
The earlier standard addressed several technical characteristics to ensure the suitability of steel strips for spring manufacturing.
5.1 Chemical Composition
Chemical composition plays an important role in determining the strength, hardness, elasticity and heat-treatment response of spring steel strips.
The earlier standard specified chemical composition requirements for the different steel grades.
The chemical parameters included:
- Carbon
- Manganese
- Silicon
- Sulphur
- Phosphorus
- Chromium, where applicable
- Vanadium, where applicable
The applicable composition limits depend on the steel designation.
5.2 Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties are important because spring strips must withstand repeated loading and deformation during their service life.
The earlier standard addressed physical properties such as:
- Tensile strength
- Yield stress
- Percentage elongation
- Hardness
The applicable requirements depend on the grade and supply condition.
5.3 Decarburization
Decarburization is an important characteristic for spring steel because it can influence surface hardness and mechanical performance.
The earlier standard prescribed requirements for controlling decarburization.
Manufacturers should maintain suitable process controls and inspection arrangements to ensure conformity.
5.4 Dimensions and Rolling Tolerances
Dimensional accuracy is essential for consistent spring production.
The earlier standard specified requirements relating to:
- Thickness
- Width
- Rolling tolerances
- Flatness
- Edge camber
- Other applicable dimensional characteristics
The product manual specifically highlights factory-level checking of tolerances because transporting bulky strip samples to a laboratory may be difficult.
5.5 Surface Condition and Freedom from Defects
Steel strips should have an acceptable surface condition and should be free from harmful defects that could affect their performance.
The earlier standard included requirements for freedom from defects and surface condition.
5.6 Edge Condition
The earlier standard’s product manual identifies mill edges and sheared edges as supply options.
Any other edge condition was subject to mutual agreement between the manufacturer and purchaser.
6. Testing Requirements under IS 2507:1975
The earlier BIS product manual and laboratory information identify the following testing and inspection parameters.
| Test / Inspection | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Freedom from defects | Checking for harmful defects |
| Decarburization | Verification of decarburization requirements |
| Edge condition | Verification of supplied edge condition |
| Chemical composition | Checking grade-wise chemical requirements |
| Dimensions and tolerances | Verification of dimensional conformity |
| Tensile strength | Evaluation of tensile strength |
| Yield stress | Verification of yield properties |
| Percentage elongation | Evaluation of ductility |
| Hardness test | Verification of hardness |
| Surface condition | Assessment of surface quality |
The exact test requirements and acceptance limits must be established from the applicable edition of the standard.
Important: This table describes the earlier IS 2507:1975 testing framework. The test programme for IS 2507:2026 must be verified independently.
7. BIS Product Manual for IS 2507:1975
BIS published Product Manual PM/2507/1 in March 2021 for Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs.
The manual provided guidance on:
- Product scope
- Raw material requirements
- Grouping guidelines
- Sample size
- Test equipment
- Scheme of Inspection and Testing
- Scope of licence
The document was intended as reference material for BIS regional and branch offices, existing licensees and prospective applicants.
7.1 Sample Size
The March 2021 product manual specified the following sample requirements:
| Testing purpose | Sample requirement |
|---|---|
| Chemical testing | Five test pieces of 50 mm × 50 mm or 50 g drillings |
| Physical testing | Two pieces of 500 mm × 500 mm |
The manual also indicated that all tests could be carried out in one day.
These sample requirements relate to the earlier edition only and should not be applied to IS 2507:2026 without confirmation.
7.2 Grouping Guidelines
The earlier product manual divided the eleven grades into three groups.
| Group | Grades / Designations |
|---|---|
| Group 1 | Grade 1 to Grade 8 – 45C8 to 98C6 |
| Group 2 | Grade 9 – 55Si7 |
| Group 3 | Grade 10 and Grade 11 – 50Cr4 and 50Cr4V2 |
The manual provided the following sample selection approach:
- Group 1: One sample of any grade, designation, size, supply condition and edge condition could be drawn. Testing a higher designation could support recommendations for lower designations within the group.
- Group 2: One sample of any size and supply condition could be drawn.
- Group 3: One sample of any grade, designation, size, supply condition and edge condition could be drawn, with the manual’s specified higher-to-lower designation grouping provision.
During preliminary inspection, dimensional tolerance checks were to be conducted at the factory before drawing samples for independent testing.
The manual also required grades, designations and sizes covered by the licence to be drawn for independent testing on a rotational basis during licence operation.
8. Testing Laboratory and Equipment Requirements
Manufacturers should establish suitable testing arrangements for the product characteristics covered by the applicable standard.
For the earlier edition, the BIS product manual included a dedicated list of test equipment.
The testing arrangements covered:
- Chemical analysis equipment
- Dimensional measuring instruments
- Tensile testing equipment
- Hardness testing equipment
- Equipment for relevant physical and metallurgical examinations
- Inspection arrangements for surface condition and defects
The manufacturer should maintain appropriate calibration records and ensure that the testing equipment is suitable for the applicable test methods.
Where testing facilities are not available in-house, the manufacturer should verify the testing arrangements permitted under the current BIS certification procedure.
9. Documents Required for BIS Certification
The following documents are generally useful when preparing a product certification application for steel strips.
A. Company Documents
- Company registration certificate
- GST registration certificate
- PAN card
- Factory address proof
- Authorised signatory details
- Identity and address proof of authorised signatory
- Factory layout plan
B. Manufacturing Documents
- Manufacturing process flow chart
- List of manufacturing machinery
- Machinery details
- Production capacity details
- Product specifications
- Grade and steel designation details
- Thickness and width range
- Supply condition details
- Edge condition details
- Raw material specifications
C. Quality Control and Testing Documents
- Quality control plan
- Inspection and testing plan
- Laboratory equipment list
- Calibration certificates
- Testing procedures
- Raw material inspection records
- In-process inspection records
- Finished product inspection records
- Chemical analysis reports
- Mechanical testing records
- Non-conformity and corrective action records
D. BIS Application Documents
- Application and supporting information
- Product description and proposed scope
- Trademark ownership or authorisation documents, where applicable
- Factory and laboratory details
- Applicable declarations and undertakings
- Relevant fee payment details
The final document list depends on the applicable certification procedure and the requirements of the current edition of the standard.
10. BIS Certification Process
For a manufacturer seeking BIS certification, the process generally involves the following stages.
Step 1 – Standard and Product Applicability Review
Identify the applicable Indian Standard and verify whether the product falls within its scope.
For applications after the withdrawal of IS 2507:1975, the replacement IS 2507:2026 must be reviewed.
Step 2 – Product Scope Finalisation
Identify the proposed grades, designations, dimensions, supply conditions and edge conditions.
Step 3 – Factory Assessment
Review manufacturing machinery, production arrangements, testing infrastructure and quality-control procedures.
Step 4 – Documentation Preparation
Prepare the application documents, manufacturing details, testing records and quality-control documentation.
Step 5 – Product Testing
Arrange testing as required under the current standard and applicable BIS certification procedure.
Step 6 – BIS Factory Inspection
Where required, BIS assesses the manufacturing and quality-control arrangements, including product testing and sample selection.
Step 7 – Grant of Licence
If all applicable requirements are satisfactorily fulfilled, BIS may grant the licence under the relevant certification scheme.
Step 8 – Post-Licence Compliance
The manufacturer must maintain product conformity, quality records, testing arrangements and marking compliance.
11. BIS Certification Cost
The total cost depends on the applicable standard, certification route, manufacturing facility and testing requirements.
Potential cost components include:
- BIS application fee
- Licence fee
- Annual marking fee, where applicable
- Product testing charges
- Sample preparation and transportation
- Laboratory charges
- Inspection-related expenses
- Professional consultancy charges, if engaged
The BIS LIMS portal has displayed a laboratory-specific testing charge of ₹6,500 for the earlier IS 2507:1975 scope at one listed laboratory. Other laboratories have displayed different charges and scope limitations.
This historical laboratory figure should not be treated as a current quotation or as the testing fee for IS 2507:2026.
A reliable estimate should be prepared after confirming the current standard, product scope, testing facilities and applicable BIS fee structure.
12. Common Challenges for Steel Strip Manufacturers
Manufacturers may encounter the following issues during product certification:
1. Incorrect standard selection: Continuing to refer to the withdrawn IS 2507:1975 without checking its replacement can result in an incorrect application.
2. Incomplete product scope: Grades, designations, dimensions and supply conditions should be clearly identified.
3. Inadequate testing infrastructure: The factory may not have suitable equipment for all applicable tests.
4. Chemical composition failures: The material may fail to meet the specified grade-wise chemical requirements.
5. Dimensional non-conformities: Thickness, width and other tolerances must be controlled.
6. Inadequate traceability: Raw material, heat numbers, production batches and finished coils should be properly identified.
7. Outdated certification documentation: Earlier product manuals and testing requirements should not be assumed to remain valid after a standard revision.
13. How Qualitance India Can Help
Qualitance India provides professional consultancy and regulatory compliance support for manufacturers seeking BIS product certification in India.
For cold-rolled steel strips and other steel products, our assistance can include:
- Indian Standard applicability review
- Product scope assessment
- BIS certification feasibility
- Grade and designation review
- Manufacturing process assessment
- Quality control documentation
- Laboratory and product testing coordination
- BIS application preparation
- Factory inspection preparation
- Support in addressing non-conformities
- Post-licence compliance guidance
We help manufacturers understand applicable regulatory requirements and prepare their facilities and documentation for the certification process.
Qualitance India – Improving Quality & Competence
Website: https://qualitanceindia.com
Email: info@qualitanceindia.com
Phone / WhatsApp: +91 93106 15170
14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which Indian Standard was previously applicable to Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs?
The earlier standard was IS 2507:1975 – Specification for Cold-Rolled Steel Strips for Springs.
Q2. Is IS 2507:1975 still valid?
No. BIS lists IS 2507:1975 as withdrawn from 23 August 2026.
Q3. Which standard replaced IS 2507:1975?
IS 2507:2026, titled Cold-reduced Carbon and Alloy Steel Sheets and Strips – Specification, is listed as its replacement.
Q4. Is BIS certification mandatory for IS 2507:1975?
The BIS Standard Details portal identifies the withdrawn 1975 edition as voluntary certification. A separate review of the current edition and applicable government notifications is necessary before determining the present regulatory position.
Q5. How many grades were covered under IS 2507:1975?
The earlier edition covered eleven grades, from Grade 1 to Grade 11.
Q6. What were the major tests under IS 2507:1975?
The earlier testing framework included chemical composition, freedom from defects, decarburization, edge condition, dimensions, tensile strength, yield stress, elongation, hardness and surface condition.
Q7. What was the sample size under the earlier BIS product manual?
The March 2021 product manual specified five 50 mm × 50 mm test pieces or 50 g drillings for chemical testing and two 500 mm × 500 mm pieces for physical testing.
Q8. Can the old IS 2507:1975 product manual be used for a new application?
It should be used only as historical reference material. Manufacturers should confirm the requirements of IS 2507:2026 and the current BIS product manual before applying.
Q9. Does appearance in the BIS Scheme-I list automatically mean certification is mandatory?
No. Inclusion in a certification scheme listing should not be confused with a government Quality Control Order. Mandatory status must be established through the applicable government notification.
15. Conclusion
Cold-rolled steel strips play an important role in spring manufacturing and engineering applications where material strength, dimensional consistency and mechanical performance are critical.
IS 2507:1975 historically prescribed the requirements for these products, including chemical composition, physical properties, dimensional tolerances, decarburization and surface quality.
However, following its withdrawal on 23 August 2026 and replacement by IS 2507:2026, manufacturers must review the current edition before initiating a new certification project.
A proper standard applicability assessment, product scope review, testing plan and factory readiness evaluation can help manufacturers avoid delays and prepare for the applicable BIS certification requirements.
Contact Qualitance India for professional assistance with BIS certification, steel product compliance and regulatory documentation.
Official References
- BIS Standard Details – IS 2507:1975: https://standards.bis.gov.in/website/standard-details
- BIS Product Manual PM/2507/1, March 2021: https://www.bis.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PM_IS_2507_09042021.pdf
- BIS Scheme-I Product Listing: https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/products-under-compulsory-certification/scheme-i-mark-scheme/
- BIS Laboratory Information Management System: https://lims.bis.gov.in/
- BIS Products under Compulsory Certification: https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/products-under-compulsory-certification/
Need help with BIS certification for this product?
Get a free consultation from our compliance experts — we handle testing, documentation and the complete BIS process for you.
BIS Certification Readiness Checklist 2026
- Documents, testing & factory requirements in one place
- Covers ISI Mark, CRS, FMCS & Hallmarking
- Tick-box format — share it with your team