IS 17786:2022 is India's national standard for medical textile underpads. Its scope includes requirements for construction, fluid handling properties, hygiene and labelling information. For a volume purchase, consult the relevant BIS licence scope in addition to test reports for the specific product and configuration being purchased. Always review the standard alongside applicable amendments, including Amendment No. 1 of February 2026. [1] , [2] , [3]
Two similar-looking medical textile underpads can be found in a single sample pack. Both can be described as highly absorbent. However, this description provides little information to a hospital buyer or private-label brand about which product actually fulfills the agreed specification, or if the supporting documentation pertains to the quoted pad.
This guide highlights the key areas to investigate and questions to ask prior to approving a medical underpad order.
What IS 17786 covers
The standard is named Medical Textiles — Underpad — Specification. It covers medical underpads used to protect beds, mattresses and other surfaces from soiling by body fluids, including both single-use and reusable underpads. [1]
This is why purchasing teams should be aware of the difference between the two. If a company buys a disposable pad, it is not enough to rely on the same manufacturer’s expertise in reusable pads. Check that the test evidence and licence scope apply to the type being purchased.
For background on disposable pad layers, see how absorbent pads are manufactured .
The 2026 amendment buyers should know about
BIS issued Amendment No. 1 to IS 17786:2022 on 27 February 2026. Gazette notification permitted the standard without that amendment to continue to apply until 26 August 2026. For procurement after that transition, ask for assessment against the amended standard rather than relying on the original 2022 text alone. [3]
Ask the supplier and testing laboratory to identify the amendment status used in their evaluation. The year “2022” is attached to the standard’s title; on its own, it does not indicate if a report includes subsequent amendments.
This article covers the purchasing implications and wide-ranging test areas. Specific acceptance limits, procedures and testing frequency shall be derived from the current BIS standard and applicable certification documents.
What the standard examines
Construction and workmanship
An underpad comprises a liquid-permeable top layer, an absorbent core and a protective backing. BIS also addresses how the product is manufactured and finished. [1] , [2]
When assessing samples, inspect both the pad and its supporting documents. Look out for exposed fillers, uneven distribution of the core material, damaged backing and poorly finished edges. Record the accepted dimensions and construction in order that production samples may be compared using the same agreed reference.
Absorption capacity and absorption time
Capacity describes how much liquid is absorbed under certain conditions. Absorption time indicates how fast the process happens. They are both included in BIS’s description of underpad requirements. [1]
An absorbency claim such as ‘1,000 ml absorbency’ needs the description of a test and what product specification it relates to. Ask if the result applies to the size and design of the pad you are offered, and if the value is an individual result, an average, or a minimum.
The July 2025 BIS product manual references ISO 11948 for minimum absorption capacity. ISO 11948-1 describes absorption testing of the core of body-worn urine-absorbing aids. For an underpad report, ask the laboratory to identify the applicable IS 17786 clause, referenced method and any relevant amendments; an ISO number alone does not explain how the quoted underpad was assessed. [4]
Compare reports from different suppliers only when the test methods and conditions match. A comparative test, such as a water-pouring demonstration, is not the same as laboratory measurements. Neither capacity claims nor a short presentation can tell you how many hours a particular patient can use the pad.
Retention and the backing barrier
Retention refers to the amount of liquid retained after uptake; the backing helps protect the surface beneath the pad. These are distinct from total absorption capacity. [1]
When evaluating a pad for your application, it is important to find out what the supplier has measured and under what conditions. If you need information regarding the amount of liquid which may flow back to the top surface on application of pressure, ask for the procedure and results. Do not assume that all data given concerning capacity or retention includes this type of measurement.
pH and microbiological hygiene
The standard's testing regime includes pH and hygienic checks. BIS specifies bacterial and fungal bioburden testing and a check for the absence of Staphylococcus aureus. [1] , [2]
Interpret these results with care since they are neither confirmation of sterility, an antibacterial treatment nor a guarantee that a product will not ever irritate skin. If a supplier makes a further claim, ask for evidence for the specific claim made.
Biocompatibility and product type
The BIS product manual of July 2025 records licence scope by single-use/reusable types, size category and whether biocompatibility evaluation is included. Since this manual predates the 2026 amendment, confirm the current requirement and scope with the supplier, rather than assuming biocompatibility evaluation is included. [2] , [3]
Raise any customer requirement for cytotoxicity, irritation or sensitisation documentation prior to the specification approval. This gives the supplier time to define what testing is applicable and the evidence available.
How to check a BIS licence and a test report
A licence and a laboratory report answer different questions. Review both before signing off a bulk order.
| Document | What to check |
|---|---|
| BIS licence and scope | Manufacturer and factory identity, IS number, current status, covered type and sizes, and any optional requirements. |
| Product test report | Sample identity, size, batch reference where available, test date, method, amendment status, results and acceptance criteria. |
| Purchase specification | The product you will receive: dimensions, construction, agreed performance, pack format and order acceptance conditions. |
BIS provides licence verification through BIS Care and its online licence services. Make sure the CM/L number corresponds to the manufacturer and the product, including the present status and the varieties covered. An image of a certificate with a future expiry date should not be used as a substitute. [5] , [6]
For private-label orders, make sure that your brand and pack artwork align to the manufacturer's authorised marking arrangements. An OEM agreement alone is not proof that any proposed label is fit for printing.
Ask the laboratory to state the tests actually carried out. A report covering absorption alone is not proof that all applicable requirements have been assessed.
Size and absorbency must be specified together
Write dimensions in a consistent order, for example length × width, and distinguish the overall dimensions of the pad from the dimensions of the absorbent area where relevant. Avoid approving a product on the basis of a label such as ‘large’ or ‘premium’.
For a custom size, specify how it complies with the applicable standard and licence scope according to the information provided by the manufacturer. Do not assume that a factory is certified to produce a certain size merely because it is capable of doing so.
The same principle applies to absorbency grades. A commercial grade defines an offered product; it does not establish compliance. The report, size classification and acceptance requirement must align.
Is BIS certification compulsory for medical underpads?
The very existence of an Indian Standard and a BIS certification scheme does not in itself create a compulsory certification. BIS makes a distinction between voluntary certification and products for which certification is made compulsory by virtue of government requirements. [7]
Check the relevant current legal requirement for a product separately from the tender’s requirements and conditions. For instance, the Ministry of Textiles’ January 2025 deadline announcement identifies sanitary napkins, baby diapers and reusable sanitary products. That announcement should not, on its own, be used to establish a compliance deadline for medical underpads. [8]
For a tender, domestic supply agreement or export order, have the relevant compliance team confirm the applicable product classification, notifications and destination requirements. BIS documentation does not cover every other approval that a particular market might require.
A simple checklist to use before approving a bulk order
Use the following checklist to assist with your purchasing, in addition to the relevant standard. Note that the following are not a reiteration of BIS clauses but rather things you might want to look out for during procurement.
- Confirm the intended application, whether the product is single-use or reusable, its dimensions and the agreed performance.
- Check the manufacturer's licence, and obtain the relevant scope details.
- Cross-reference the quoted product to its sample identification and test report.
- Ask which edition and amendments the assessment follows, including Amendment No. 1 of February 2026.
- Compare results using identical method, conditions and acceptance criteria.
- Review pack artwork, manufacturer details, batch coding and applicable care/disposal instructions.
- Agree documentation of production changes, sample approval and order acceptance.
- Confirm how a supplied batch can be tracked in the event of complaint/discrepancy.
Keep approved specification, report and artwork together - it will make resolving a discrepancy between a sales sample and subsequent delivery easier than any verbal description.
Medical underpad manufacturing at Clad Medical LLP
Clad Medical LLP manufactures disposable medical underpads in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, for institutional buyers, distributors, OEM partners and private-label brands. Our quality and certification page publishes BIS Licence No. CM/L-8700224814 for medical underpads under IS 17786:2022. [9]
Our quality processes include incoming material checks, in-line testing, finished-goods inspection and batch traceability. Certification documents and relevant product reports are available to qualified buyers on request. [9]
When contacting us, state your requirements in terms of the desired pad size, performance specification, packing format, target market, and order quantity. Ask our representatives for information on the necessary documentation for the chosen configuration before finalizing your order.
Explore medical underpads or discuss OEM and private-label manufacturing .
Frequently asked questions
What is IS 17786:2022?
Does a higher absorbency figure prove a better underpad?
A higher number alone does not indicate general suitability. Examine the size of the pad, the test procedure and its results against the specification you have agreed. Ask about the rate of absorption, retention and any other performance you require.
Does a BIS licence cover every underpad a supplier sells?
Does IS 17786 cover reusable underpads?
BIS covers both single-use and reusable underpads. Obtain the relevant washing, drying and life-cycle instructions with the product documentation when considering a reusable option. [1]
Does a medical underpad licence automatically cover pet pads or baby changing mats?
This should not be presumed. Ask for documentation relevant to the intended application and the product concerned. Similar materials or presentation are not sufficient for the same certification.
Does meeting hygiene requirements mean the pad is sterile?
Hygiene test results should not be assumed as proof of sterility. If you require a sterile product, request specific supporting documentation and confirm the label on the supplied product.
Sources and further reading
Sources reviewed for this guide on 24 October 2026. The current BIS standard and applicable amendments take precedence. The Gazette establishes amendment dates; it does not reproduce the technical changes.
- BIS overview of IS 17786
- BIS product manual PM/17786/1, July 2025
- BIS Gazette notification, 2 March 2026 (hosted copy)
- ISO 11948-1: Whole-product testing
- BIS Care: official guidance
- BIS online licence information
- BIS certification overview
- Ministry of Textiles announcement, 3 January 2025
- Clad Medical quality and certification