Obtaining the quality standard certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for making and selling products in India constitutes BIS certification. Businesses in India maintain control through the voluntary nature of Indian BIS certification schemes that authorize them to pursue or forego certification. The Central Government requires specific product categories to obtain compulsory certifications for meeting Indian Standards requirements.
An Overview of BIS Registration:
BIS Registration is a form of Bureau of Indian Standards licensing under any applicable Indian Standard for product conformity. The Bureau of Indian Standards is India’s National Standards Body got up by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act-2016 under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Government of India. Major activities of BIS certification include standards formulation, product certification, testing, training services, hall-marking, laboratory service, calibration schemes, and so on. It is a third-party guarantee to products in terms of quality, safety, reliability, etc. Complete information on BIS Registration under the compulsory registration scheme shall be covered on this page. Now, let us look into the nature, structure, and history of the BIS License that prompts the importance of the BIS registration certificate.
The mandatory certification schemes establish multiple essential objectives that consist of securing public welfare as well as protecting people animals and vegetation in addition to sustaining environmental stewardship, blocking unfair business practices and defending national security.
When the central government requires it standard mark must be obtained by holding either a License or Certificate of Conformity provided by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The BIS maintains an essential responsibility for sustaining product quality standards throughout Indian markets which are explained completely in this blog.
Introduction to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) operates as the Indian Standard Organization from within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution under the Government of India. BIS operates to verify product sustainability along with product reliability and maintenance of excellent quality for consumers. The organization meets its objectives by distributing quality certificates and participating directly in product quality management and evaluation for establishing industry standards and product testing of distributed items across India.
The 1986 legislation awarded authority to BIS for establishing an optional certification procedure for product manufacturers. Manufacturers who demonstrate their products meet the Indian standards requirements can display the standard mark which represents their compliance with quality standards.
The domestic sale of BIS Mandatory Products demands compliance with Indian standards while requiring usage of a standard mark. The standards serve as prerequisites for which non-compliance leads to the prohibited release of selling such products within India.
Let’s dive deep into the activities that are undertaken by the BIS.
Activities of BIS
The activities of the Bureau of Indian Standards can be studied here.
- Standard Formulation
- Product Certification and Marking
- Testing Services
- Training Services
- System Certification
- Industrial Awareness
The previous section explored BIS together with its operational activities. The following section explores all certification schemes which BIS currently provides.
BIS Certification Scheme
BIS operates multiple certification schemes through which they provide quality certifications to different products. The scheme seeks to deliver to consumers risk-free products that meet high safety standards. BIS allows manufacturers to acquire licenses through the product certification scheme for using standard marks when selling their products in the Indian Market.
Despite being an optional scheme the Indian government requires BIS certification for several products such as aluminium foil, helmets, pressure cookers, toys, water heaters, and cables among others. Acquiring BIS licensing from the manufacturers enables products to display the BIS standard mark which allows sale in the Indian market. The following portion explains the multiple BIS certification programs.
Types of BIS Certification Schemes
The grant of license allows the manufacturer of certain specified products to affix the standard mark on their products listed within either of the BIS certification schemes against assured quality certification from the latter organisation. The manufacturer may put the standard mark on his product as specified in the license once he is granted the license. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) comprises several certification schemes directed at ensuring product quality, safety, and performance. The following are the major types of BIS certification schemes:
ISI Mark Certification is a voluntary scheme that can be issued to a product when it conforms to the Indian Standards. This ISI mark is awarded to those manufacturers who have been able to meet the prescribed Indian Standards for the product. To recommend for the ISI mark, a product has to be tested and evaluated through various processes, such as product testing, factory inspection, and quality systems evaluation. The ISI mark has national and international recognition for being the epitome of excellence in any product. A manufacturer has to show his worthy commitment to quality and safety; hail an image of a good brand reputation and competitiveness in a market.
It is a mandatory scheme for certain products, which include electrical appliances, cement, and steel. The manufacturers of these products need to be registered with BIS so that their products can be granted a unique registration number. This scheme of BIS CRS registration ensures the compliance of products with Indian Standards and provides a means to control the quality of products in the market by the government. The registration of a manufacturer product under the CRS scheme guarantees compliance with Indian Standards, reduces product liability risk to manufacturers, and increases brand image.
It certifies that foreign manufacturers could have their products BIS-certified. FMCS being an important scheme allows multinationals across the world to enter the Indian market potentially a high and growing market for their products. Now to get the certification through FMCS, the foreign manufacturer has to follow the respective Indian Standards. The FMCS scheme comes into play for foreign manufacturers whose products meet Indian standards and reduce the risk of product liability as well as enhance the reputation of a brand in India when it forms an Indian connection.
Consumers have a method to check the purity of their purchased gold, silver and precious metals through the Hallmarking Scheme which operates following Indian Standards. Under the Hallmarking Scheme, both manufacturers and jewellers operating in the fields of gold silver and precious metals must participate. Jewellers along with manufacturers may show their commitment to quality and purity through Hallmarking Scheme certification which enhances reputation and provides competitive advantages. By participating in the Hallmarking Scheme buyers can verify both the purity standards and quality of precious metals sold as jewellery and other products.
Foreign manufacturer certification scheme:
An explanation of BIS’ foreign manufacturer certification scheme for those working outside India begins here. The Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme began operations at The Bureau of Indian Standards as per the requirements of the BIS Act 2016 in 2000. The plan enables foreign makers to display the standard ISI mark on their products to sell within Indian markets. The FMCS scheme enables BIS to issue licenses to foreign manufacturers for placing the ISI mark on their products which meet applicable Indian standards.
FMCD functions as the single body that can provide foreign manufacturers with the right to produce products. The main reason BIS provides quality certification to foreign manufacturers is to deliver secure high-quality products to the public. A certification mark license may be granted under FMCS to all non-electronics and IT products but not Electronics. An imported product which is not electronics or IT goods demands BIS certification from the manufacturer under the FMCS scheme.
Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme:
The ISI mark certification scheme operates under BIS as a product certification program which grants manufacturers access to licensing through conformity assessment scheme I of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulation, 2018. Through this scheme, BIS provides manufacturers permission to display ISI marks on finished products meeting appropriate Indian standards.
ISI Mark:
ISI Mark represents a product approval label issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards in addition to product packaging. A product showing the ISI mark verifies it fulfils every requirement contained within applicable Indian standards. ISI marks affirm product quality in the eyes of customers.
A manufacturer needs to obtain a BIS license from the Bureau of Indian Standards before using the ISI Mark on their product. A manufacturer needs to obtain a BIS license by proving their product conforms to the applicable standards set by India. BIS issues licenses to manufacturers only after their products pass all required Indian standards tests.
Compulsory Registration Scheme:
BIS runs a Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for Electronics and Information Technology Goods through the product categories which the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified. BIS launched this certification plan in 2012 under joint leadership of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology and the Bureau of Indian Standards to protect Indian consumers from fraudulent and substandard goods.
Products which do not align with specified Indian standards in the order must obtain a standard mark with a unique registration number from BIS for distribution according to Compulsory Registration Scheme Orders.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) allows Electronics and IT Product Certification through its BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (BIS CRS) / BIS Registration Scheme. BIS registration becomes necessary for the market release of electronic and information technology items. Companies that develop products under Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) need to seek BIS Registration following testing at BIS-approved laboratories. The use of electronic and IT goods Standard Mark with unique R-number requires a license from BIS for manufacturer applications. The BIS Registration process relies on your declaration regarding compliance of goods and articles with Indian Standards.
Hallmarking Registration:
Information about purity has been protected for customers through BIS’s introduction of gold hallmarking in 2000 and silver hallmarking in 2005 as mandatory programs. Precise determination and official recording of precious metals in metallic goods receive the name hallmarking. Lawmakers established hallmarks as official marks to verify the purity or fineness of precious metal items throughout multiple nations.
BIS registration stands as an obligatory requirement that applies to jewellers who work with gold or silver jewellery either for manufacture or sale. The hallmarking scheme allows BIS to provide manufacturing and selling registration to jewellers who want to work with hallmark jewellery. BIS provides hallmarking scheme registration to jewellers who request the specified location service. Submit a mark of approval from the BIS before both jewellers and their hallmarking and assaying centres can continue operations.
Eco mark:
The Bureau of Indian Standards supervises ECO Mark Scheme operations which provide environmental factor labels for green products. The Bureau of Indian Standards conducts ECO Mark Scheme evaluation of Soaps and Detergents, Paints, Food Items, Lubricating Oils, Packaging Materials, and other product categories comprising Architectural Paints and Powder Coatings, Batteries, Electrical and Electronic Goods, Food Additives, Wood Substitutes, Cosmetics, Aerosols and Propellants, Plastic Products, Textiles, Fire-extinguisher, Leather and Coir & Coir Products. A product that displays the ECO Logo next to the ISI Mark demonstrates fulfilment of Environmental standards as well as the Quality measures described in relevant Indian Standards.
The BIS department executes the Scheme through licensing operations and conducts inspections as well as tests materials and substances with active ECO Marks on them.
Benefits of Obtaining BIS certification:
- BIS certification establishes trust in consumers with manufacturers.
- Consumers will easily understand that their products are both secure and consistent with standards. They will learn the products are dependable and maintain quality levels.
- BIS certification gives manufacturers an advantage to outperform their business competitors.
- The manufacturer offers an assurance that their products follow all relevant standards in India.
Manufacturers need to follow this process for BIS Certification:
- Documentation
- Application Submission
- Scrutiny of application
- Audit of manufacturing Premises
- Sample collection and testing
- Grant of Licence
Documents required for BIS Certification:
- Business licence
- Trademark licence
- Application form
- Air details
- Authorization letter
- The manufacturing procedure follows this flow chart template
- Product Literature
- List of testing equipment & machinery
- Technical specifications
- Any additional documents, if necessary
Read complete guide how to apply for BIS certificate in India
AIR Roles:
To obtain BIS certification through either BIS FMCS or BIS registration scheme all foreign manufacturing entities need to partner with Authorized Indian Representatives (AIR). The domestic manufacturer should file its applications online at the BIS login portal independently from requiring an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). AIR shall fulfil all requirements set by the BIS Act and Rules as well as Regulations and terms mentioned in BIS Licence guidelines.
AIR functions will vary according to the following protocol:
The manufacturer should register their representative entity in India as the AIR through their existing branch office.
The proprietor/registered user of a brand/trademark appearing on the object will take on the role of AIR when the manufacturer lacks Ian ndian liaison or branch office presence.
The third organization operating in India without a proprietor or registered user of the brand/trademark appearing in the article will become the responsible institution.
The manufacturer needed BIS Certification to use the standard mark. All your queries regarding BIS certification have received sufficient attention from me.
List of Products That Require BIS Certification
Certain product obligations are made by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to obtain BIS certification for sale in India. Below are some goods which need their BIS certification:
- The BIS certification must be acquired by laptops, tablets and smartphones as electronic items along with routers that serve as IT products and switches and servers.
- Washers along with refrigerators, air conditioners, and microwaves must receive BIS certification. The list consists of fundamental components such as toasters together with kettles and irons.
- Chemicals and Foods with examples include milk powder, infant formula, and packaged drinking water, which needs BIS approval.
- Cement & Building Materials: Cement, concrete and other materials used for construction: steel rebars, pipes and fittings will need BIS approval.
- Automobile Components: These components include helmets, seat belts, and tyres, all of which need to be certified by the BIS along with electrical and electronic components used in vehicles.
Why is BIS Certification Required?
BIS certification is necessary in the case of products that are now available in the Indian market with safety, quality, and performance standards to protect consumers from substandard products and create a level playing field among the competitors.
How to Obtain BIS Certification?
For BIS certifications, the manufacturers have to go through a series of tests and evaluations to prove their products’ compliance with Indian Standards. The product will be tested through the inspection of the factory and the evaluation of the quality system in place. After acquiring certification, a demonstration of the BIS certification mark will be mandatory for the manufacturers of their products and the packaging as per the BIS compulsory registration scheme.
Step-by-Step BIS Certification Process
The several steps in a BIS certification process need to be followed by the manufacturers to have their products certified. Here is a stepwise guide to the BIS certification process:
Step 1: Identifying Applicable Certification Scheme
The first step under the BIS certification process is identifying the applicable certification scheme for the product. Manufacturers need to assess whether their product shall cover either ISI Marking, BIS CRS Registration Scheme or any other kind of scheme. This step then can be checked either by referring to the BIS website or contacting a BIS-approved agency.
Step 2: Submission of Application and Documents
After identifying the applicable certification scheme, the manufacturer will have to submit an application to BIS with relevant documents. The documents may include:
- Product details and specifications
- Manufacturing process and quality control measures
- Test reports and certifications from accredited laboratories
- Company: profile and registration documents
Step 3: Product Testing and Inspection
Now after that application and document submission, the product shall be put through testing and inspection by the BIS CRS registration to ensure that it meets the Indian Standards. This could be having the following:
- Testing of sample products at accredited laboratories
- Inspection of the facility where the product was manufactured to ascertain compliance with quality control measures
- Verification of test reports and/or certifications
Step 4: Issuance of BIS Certification
Once the product is found to meet the required standards, the certification mark will be issued by the BIS itself and needs to be pasted on the product and packaging. The validity of the certification mark will be for a specified duration which normally varies from 1 to 5 years depending on the certification scheme.
Step 5: Renewal and Compliance Maintenance
To continue with the BIS certification, manufacturers must ensure that they continue to be compliant with all Indian Standards and requirements for certification. This could include:
- Regular testing and inspection of products periodical
- Maintenance of measures and processes related to quality control and manufacturing
- Renewal applications along with fees, payment of this fee
- Understanding and complying with all changes in certification requirements or Indian Standards
Through this entire process, the manufacturers can have and maintain BIS certification regarding their products with the specific purpose of conforming to the Indian Standards and also improving the market image.
Required Documents for BIS Certification
The documents that manufacturers will have to submit to get their products certified under BIS are presented below:
- Manufacturer Details and Business Registration:
There should be a lot of documentation that can verify the physical identity and business credentials of the manufacturers, such as:
- Company profile and registration documents
- Business license and tax registration certificates
- Proof of manufacturing capability and capacity
- Product Technical Details:
All technical technical aspects need to be provided as to the manufacturing details of the product in detail including:
- Product specifications and design documents
- Materials safety data sheets (MSDS)
- Product labelling and packaging information
- Test Reports from BIS-Accredited Labs:
They must submit test reports from BIS-accredited laboratories proving compliance with Indian Standards. They should include:
- Test results and certifications
- Testing procedures details and equipment used
- Laboratory accreditation certificates
- Factory Inspection Reports:
These include inspection reports and possibly factory inspection reports. Manufacturers must have the following:
- Inspection and audit results of the factory
- Quality control measures and manufacturing processes verified
- Certification and report by inspector
Many other documents will vary, depending on what certification scheme is in question, and what product category is concerned. Manufacturers must make certain that all documents required are complete, perfect, and up to date if the documents fail to have that, it may delay the process of certification along with mentioning the BIS application fee.
Conclusion:
Manufacturers need BIS Certification through different Schemes to maintain an unbroken exporting and sale system of their products within the Indian market. Obtaining BIS certification for the first time often requires an understanding of the complete procedure. The best solution is to request expert guidance and assistance because they will manage the complete BIS certification process to help you obtain your BIS certificate.
The international product manufacturers receive consultation services from Induce India. Through Induce India staff assistance your product will receive an ISI mark from BIS in a fast timeframe. Through its tested quality assurance system based on international standards, Induce India provides industry empowerment that helps companies reach better production levels and quality benchmarks.
Induce India operates with a mission to deliver top-tier auditing and quality control assurance services to its clients. The manufacturing unit and its processes at Induce India ensure compliance with international business standards which create effortless business conditions.
