BIS CRS Registration

Understanding: BIS CRS Registration

Using the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for Indian manufacturers of specified electronic and IT products, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified the Electronic and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 for obtaining a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration for selling or distributing these products in India. The intent is mainly to ensure that products conform to the necessary standard of safety as applicable in India so that consumers are protected from substandard and often hazardous products.

Importance of BIS CRS Registration

• Consumer Safety: The main objective for BIS CRS registration is consumer safety. The products included in this scheme are tested for compliance with relevant Indian standards to minimize hazards such as electric shock, overheating, and fire hazards. These safety regulations prevent manufacturers from increasing the possibility of such accidents by ensuring that those products can be used safely in our daily lives.

• Market Access: Monetarily speaking, Business Interruption Studies registration provides the gateway for manufacturers, especially for foreign brands, into the lucrative Indian market. In all other cases, the law prohibits these companies from selling or distributing any goods in India without this certification. Therefore, obtaining BIS registration is a ‘non-negotiable’ precondition for these foreign brands wishing to enter and operate in the rapidly growing electronics and IT sector in India.

• Brand Credibility: When crossing contaminated products in the market, the BIS certification stands as a hallmark of quality and trust. When consumers see the BIS Standard Mark on the product, their trust and satisfaction in the safety and dependability of that product are fostered. It is a certification that guarantees trust for the brands, especially the new or lesser-known brands, in building strong credibility and customer loyalty over time. 

• Legal Compliance: Noncompliance can entail winding up of businesses, hefty fines, product recalls, and severe punishment, a catch-all term for incarceration in extreme cases. Hence, we cannot say registration is the best practice; it is legally obligatory. Companies that follow BIS standards give a positive demonstration of a commitment to law and ethical practices, protect themselves against regulatory trouble, and, in turn, create goodwill with the industry.

Products Covered Under BIS CRS

The BIS CRS scheme takes in a much larger ambit of products that include most of the electronic and IT-related items. The primary objective is to ensure that all these products coming into the Indian territory are safe, reliable, and effective.

• Mobile Phone: This category consists of all forms of mobile phones, from basic-feature phones to advanced smartphones. Given the larger predominance of mobile devices in the country, ensuring their safety and quality is vital. 

• Laptop and Tablet: These portable computing devices form one critical backbone of the infrastructure of modern electronic society. DBS registration ensures the user has a reliable and safe-to-operate device, especially in an educational or professional setting.

• LED TVs: LED TVs are one of the most commonly found household items, and they must go through tests for energy efficiency and display safety standards. Registration ensures that these products render optimum performance to the consumer without putting the consumer at risk. 

• Printers and Scanners: Applications involving homes and offices require that printers and scanners meet electrical or electromagnetic compatibility standards. The issuance of a BIS certificate guarantees that such objects display safety during operation and do not interfere with any other electronic systems.

• Set-top Box: These are also known as digital boxes for digital TV broadcasting. Set-top boxes must meet safety and quality standards as well. Thus, the inclusion of set-top boxes in the CRS will increase confidence in their service delivery and durability. 

• Microwaves: Microwaves need to go through stringent tests since they are among the most common kitchen appliances. According to these checks, they would fail if they posed any radiation hazards or other electrical faults. The BIS certificate ensures that a microwave oven performs its work well and is safe for the user.

• Refrigerators and Air Conditioners: Natural beasts consume enormous amounts of power and run long-term in homes, like refrigerators and air conditioners. This means that BIS registration assures that these products are energy-efficient and safe to use for longer. 

To know more about the other products covered under CRS, please refer to the official BIS portal.

Criteria of eligibility for BIS CRS Registration

All the conditions mentioned below need to be fulfilled for BIS CRS registration: 

• Manufacturing Unit: The applicant must be the manufacturer of the product in India or abroad.
• Standard Compliance: The product must conform to the relevant Indian Standard (IS) specified by BIS.
• Testing Requirements: The product must be sent for testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory.
• Authorised Indian Representative (AIR): A foreign manufacturer appoints an AIR if it does not have any liaison or branch office in India.
• Self-Declaration: The manufacturer must provide self-declaration following the applicable standards.

Step-by-Step BIS CRS Registration Process

1. Product Testing: The very first step is to test product samples in a laboratory recognised by the BIS based on the relevant Indian Standard (IS). The tests verify safety performance and durability. Test reports should be current and not older than 90 days; otherwise, they create hurdles and may be rejected during processing.

1. Online Application: After obtaining the test report, the manufacturer or the authorized representative is to fill out Form VI in the online BIS CRS portal. This form contains essential information such as manufacturer data, product models, and relevant standards. Any deviation may cause an inadvertent delay in the application process. 

1. Document Submission: The applicants must upload supporting documents such as:
   1. Self-Declaration of Conformity
   2. BIS Lab Report
   3. Manufacturing Site Details
   4. Authorised Signatory Information
   5. Product Model Details

Documents must be intelligible and complete to avert interrogation issues.

1. Fee Payment: The relevant fees must be paid online and are as follows:
   1. ₹1,000 (Application Fee)
   2. ₹50,000 (Processing Fee for one test report)
   3. ₹1,000 (Annual License Fee)
   4. ₹20,000 (Per additional test report, if any)
   5. ₹50,000 (Renewal for 2 years)

The next step can be initiated once proof of payment is provided.

1. Hard Copy Submission: This requires physical copies to be submitted to the BIS office within 15 days from the date of online application. All documents, including test reports, forms, declarations, and receipts, should be submitted. This step is to confirm the online submission. 

1. Application Scrutiny: BIS shall scrutinise the application along with documents and test reports on compliance. Any issues would entail queries being raised. Quick responses with accurate answers will assist in preventing delays/rejection.

1. Registration Grant: Upon successful completion of all requirements, the BIS grants Compulsory Registration, allowing the manufacturer to apply the Standard Mark (ISI mark) for an indication of product compliance. Registration remains valid for a period of two years and needs renewal before the expiry date.

Validity and Renewal of BIS CRS Registration

• Initial Validity: The registration is valid for two years from the date of its issuance.
• Renewal: The renewal application must be made before the registration currently in force expires. The renewal involves
  • Submission of the renewal application.
  • Payment of the renewal fee.
  • Updating test reports where required.

• Consequences in Case of Non-Renewal: In case of non-renewal of registration, it would hinder the selling of the product in the Indian market.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Manufacturers not getting BIS CRS registration may face:

• Product Seizure: Destruction of non-compliant products.
• Legal Penalties: Up to ₹5 lakh in fines, with imprisonment for repeat offenders.
• Restrictions in Market: Cannot be sold and/or distributed in India.

These provisions prove the seriousness of complying with BIS CRS provisions.

Role of Induce India in BIS CRS Registration

Induce India is a premier consultancy company concerned with the BIS CRS registration services. The team comprises skilled persons who offer end-to-end support in getting BIS registration for electronic and IT products. The services offered include

• Consultation & Guidance: Consultation on BIS CRS requirements and procedures.
• Documentation Assistance: Help in preparing and submitting necessary documentation.
• Liaison Services: Foreign manufacturers using Induce India as their authorised Indian Representative.
• Application Management: The entire application process, from product testing to registration grant.
• Renewal Support for Timely renewal of BIS registration.

With Induce India, companies would be able to avoid the complexities of BIS CRS registration comfortably and seamlessly.