Marketing electronic products in India presents thrilling opportunities- and it is accompanied by some legalities. First among them is to receive a BIS certification as per the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). Failure to acquire a valid BIS certificate or registration for Electronic and IT products may result in the blockage of imports, fines by local authorities, and a massive rejection by large e-commerce platforms to put your product on listings.
At Induce India, we make this process a breeze for businesses. This guide breaks the whole preparation down into small, manageable stages- so that you are well prepared even before you start.
Why BIS Certification is Important
BIS or Bureau of Indian Standards is the national organisation in India that is in charge of product quality and safety. In some devices, such as mobile phones, adapters, laptops, power banks, and LED bulbs, the Indian government compels registration of BIS, after which the devices can legally be imported into India and traded.
The said rule is supposed to safeguard the consumer because safety, electromagnetic compliance, and performance will be ensured that the products can be used in India.
Besides legality, the certificate also creates a form of trust between end users and partners.
Step 1: Find out the CRS Registration Requirements of Your Product
Electronic devices do not all need the BIS certification. Step one, and the most important one, is to check whether your product is applicable under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. To do that, you consult the official CRS product list at BIS.
Types of products which generally need to be registered are:
- Mobile phones
- Chargers and mouth-adapters
- Tablets, laptops
- UPS/ battery back-up
- Satellite phones
- Some types of routers, switches and networking equipment
Notably, this list is not permanent and therefore needs to be checked against the latest CRS notification.
Step 2: Going to the right IS the Standard of your product
After ensuring that you are dealing with a device that needs to undergo certification, you must determine which Indian Standards (IS) apply to your device. For instance:
Does it happen to be a power adapter? Then there is IS 13252-1, which it could fall under
IS 616 or similar may be applied to portable electronic products
It is crucial to match the right national standard, as it will determine the tests that your product will be subjected to. At Induce India, we help the industry identify and find the specific standard for its device segment.
Step 3: Tests in a BIS Recognised Lab
In a BIS-accredited lab, your equipment has to be tested to be compliant with the Indian standard. These tests normally involve:
- Protection against electric shocks (e.g. over-voltage, short-circuit, insulation)
- Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), electromagnetic interference (EMI)
- The limits of energy efficiency or radiation, when it exists
BIS usually recognises/accepts equivalent test reports, especially when the device already complies with international standards (IEC, CE, or FCC, etc). However, tests are still to be conducted on Indian mains voltage, frequency, and environmental conditions. Adapted test reports of such types should be issued by a BIS-recognised lab.
Step 4: Employ Your Application Documentation
When you have the test reports, you will have to prepare and gather a packet of documents, consisting of:
- Form BIS-R Application form
- Test report(s)
- Bill of entry or invoice (on foreign goods)
- Indian language (English/Hindi) product manual/ user instruction
- Name, model, rating, and CRS logo on a label or insert (packet)
- ISO 9001 certificate (if having, but not mandatory)
Precision is extremely important at this point. Minorly wrong matches (e.g. typos in the model number) would cost you time. Induce India assists in the review and preparation of all sets of documents to be submitted to be compliant.
Step 5: Send in your Application to BIS
The application can be done on the BIS portal online. It includes registration of account, completion of product-related information, uploading documents and payment of CRS registration fee (mostly INR 10,000 service charges).
Once you submit, you are given a transaction ID that allows you to check the status of your application at BIS. In the process, BIS could demand clarifications or corrections, and these should be answered quickly.
Step 6: Audit of Factory (where necessary)
In some product lines, BIS might arrange inspection of a factory, particularly when it is manufactured in India. The audit confirms:
- The process of manufacturing the products
- Quality control systems
- Components traceability and test reports traceability
- Furnishing of the facility and employee training
Induce India assists in training your team for this audit-ensuring that you do not encounter any issue of non-conformance to hold up your certification in the eyes of the inspector.
Step 7: Have the CRS Registration Certificate
After what BIS believes should be adequate documentation and testing (and, optionally, auditing of your factory), they provide the CRS Registration Certificate. The validity of this certificate is for one year, after which he should renew again.
It bears a distinctive registration or CRS number that you have to print on the product, the packaging and the user manual, as well. Your business will also be made to exhibit the CRS mark.
Induce India provides an assurance that your business will apply the appropriate design, font and location of labels and digital listing.
Step 8: Labelling & Market Deployment
So, now, with a certificate in hand, it is time to affix the CRS label appropriately. The label normally has to display:
- Your CRS number
- Model and name of the product
- Rated frequency/voltage
- Name and address of manufacturer/ importer
You should have the label on the product or the packaging- visible to consumers- and also reflected back on the promotional images and the e-commerce web pages. Otherwise, do not display the mark of the CRS without certification- false use may lead to penalties.
Step 9: Build Compliance into Your Sales & Support
The compliance is maintained even after the certificate has been attained. This means:
- Re-certification is to be done annually with revised test reports
- Make sure that new versions of the products go through re-testing in case of a specification change
- Respond to either consumer complaints or market non-compliance notices
Once you are certified, you will have continuous support for your certification needs. Induce India provides through renewal, updates and internal compliance trainings so that you do not go out of line.
Some Common Traps and Their Prevention
Missing or hurrying as you move through any step may jeopardise your registration. Typical problems are:
- Utilising uncertified labs or reports of tests
- Mistakes in the description of the product or typing mistakes in the application
- Lacking adaptation of the test to the local voltage/frequency
- Bad label design or lack of CRS logo
- Not renewing in time (when your certificate has expired, it is lost)
By using Induce India to manage your process, all these mistakes will be reduced as it will be taking place under the watchful eye of quality control.
The Reasons to choose Induce India to achieve BIS Certification
Induce India specialises in product compliance of manufacturers, exporters as well and importers. Our full-service program involves:
- Deciding whether your product should be placed under the BIS CRS
- Selecting a relevant IS standard
- Organisation of the testing with BIS-recognised laboratories
- Filing applications free of errorPreparation and submission
- Handling factory audit preparedness
- Compliant label and CRS markings design
- Offers of regular renewal and updates
The bottom line is that we want you and your certification process to be stress-free, and that way, you can easily continue with your business at its core and also at the same time comply with Indian regulations without a lot of worry.
Conclusion
The BIS certification does not only represent a legal formality: it is a quality and trust symbol. Valid CRS registration is required for anyone bringing electronics into the Indian market.
Makes sure imports are made at customs. This establishes confidence between the Indian consumers and distributors. Complies with the compliance requirements of large e-commerce sites. Minimises the chances of being involved in legal problems and fines
Through care in every step that you take, beginning with deciding the area of applicability to renewing certification, you not only protect your business but also the reputation of your product.
Induce India will see your business through the entire process of BIS certification, including paperwork, labelling your product and filing renewals, to ensure your electronic devices get the chance to enter the Indian market. We have what it takes to start. Get in touch with us to make your journey of compliance faster and easier.
