BIS Certification

1. What is BIS Certification?

BIS certification is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India, serving as a symbol of assurance to customers regarding product quality, reliability, and safety. BIS takes on multiple responsibilities, including product certification, standards formulation, testing, hallmarking, calibration schemes, and more.

When it comes to product certification, BIS follows a voluntary approach, allowing manufacturers to opt for certification voluntarily. However, the Government of India has recognized the significance of public health and safety, and as a result, has mandated BIS certification for certain products. Currently, 380 products fall under this mandatory certification requirement. Acquiring the BIS certification grants license holders the privilege of affixing the prestigious ISI mark (‘standard mark’) on their products, a symbol synonymous with quality in the eyes of consumers.

2. BIS Certification benefits

BIS Certification ensures that products meet stringent quality and safety standards, providing consumers with confidence in the reliability and performance of the certified items.
BIS Certification opens doors to wider markets, as many governments and private tenders require products to be BIS-certified. The certification enhances a product’s credibility and acceptance in both domestic and international markets.
The presence of the BIS mark on products instills trust and assurance among consumers, leading to increased loyalty and repeat purchases. Consumers associate the mark with superior quality, which fosters positive brand perceptions.
BIS Certification helps manufacturers meet mandatory compliance requirements set by the Government of India for certain products. This ensures adherence to legal obligations and protects against potential penalties or market exclusions.
BIS Certification mitigates the risks associated with substandard or hazardous products. Manufacturers undergo rigorous testing and surveillance, reducing the likelihood of product recalls and safeguarding their reputation in the market.

3. Types of BIS Registration Schemes

Listed below are the different types of schemes under which the BIS certification is provided for the products:
BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme
ISI Mark registration scheme for a domestic manufacturer
Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme
ECO Mark Scheme Registration

3.1. BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) by enacting the ‘Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012.’ This initial order encompassed 15 categories of electronics items, setting the foundation for a robust quality assurance framework. As part of a dynamic regulatory evolution, the CRS scope expanded to include additional electronic and information technology goods, magnifying its impact.

The CRS mandates that manufacturers of products listed under its purview obtain mandatory BIS certification. Under the 2012 MeitY order, goods must adhere to Indian Standards specified in the order and bear the standard mark, coupled with a unique BIS registration number. This imperative ensures that products conform to established quality benchmarks and instills consumer confidence.

Manufacturers seeking BIS certification within the CRS framework are granted the license to use the standard mark alongside a distinctive R-number. The BIS certification process, facilitated through smart registration, entails manufacturers filing Form-I, accompanied by a self-declaration of conformity for each product.

BIS/CRS Registration Process

The process for obtaining BIS CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) Registration involves several key steps, ensuring compliance with the mandatory standards for specific products. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the registration procedure:

Step 1: Product Identification

Initially, you need to identify your product and determine its corresponding Indian Standard (IS) number, as specified in the table provided above. Understanding the relevant IS number is crucial for the registration process.

Step 2: Sample Testing

You are required to provide a representative sample of your product to a BIS-certified laboratory for testing. The laboratory conducts comprehensive tests to assess whether your product meets the prescribed safety and quality standards.

Step 3: Application Submission

Once you have obtained the test reports and gathered all the necessary documents, the application for BIS CRS registration is filed. The application is submitted along with the relevant supporting documents and the test reports generated during Step 2.

Step 4: Application Examination

The Bureau of Indian Standards examines the application and thoroughly reviews the submitted documents. This meticulous scrutiny ensures that all the information provided is accurate, complete, and in accordance with the regulatory requirements.

CRS Registration Certificate: After a thorough evaluation of the application and documents, if BIS is fully satisfied with your product’s compliance, they will issue the BIS CRS Registration Certificate. This certificate signifies that your product has successfully met the mandatory standards and is eligible for sale in the Indian market.

3.2. Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) runs the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), a scheme that allows foreign manufacturers to obtain a BIS certificate for their products. The BIS certificate allows foreign manufacturers to mark their products with the ISI mark, which indicates that they meet the relevant BIS standards.

The scope of the FMCS encompasses all articles except for those that have received notification from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The management of the program is overseen by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD), which is situated at the BIS headquarters in New Delhi.

To obtain a BIS certificate under the FMCS, foreign manufacturers must first apply to the FMCD. The application process includes submitting documentation that demonstrates that the manufacturer’s products meet the relevant BIS standards. The FMCD will then inspect the manufacturer’s facility to verify that the products are being manufactured in accordance with the BIS standards.

If the manufacturer’s products meet the BIS standards and the manufacturer’s facility passes the inspection, the FMCD will issue the manufacturer a BIS certificate. The BIS certificate is valid for a period of five years.

4. Validity of BIS Certification

The validity of BIS certification depends on the product or service that is being certified. For most products, the BIS certificate is valid for a period of five years. However, there are some products that have a shorter validity period, such as electrical appliances, which have a validity period of two years.

The BIS certificate can be renewed for a further period of five years, provided that the product or service continues to meet the relevant BIS standards. The renewal process is similar to the initial certification process, and the fees are also similar.

If a product or service is no longer being manufactured or supplied, the BIS certificate will no longer be valid. The manufacturer or supplier is responsible for ensuring that the BIS certificate is removed from the product or service.

The BIS certificate is a valuable asset for manufacturers and suppliers. It can help to increase customer confidence, improve marketability, and comply with government regulations.

If you are a manufacturer or supplier of products or services in India, you should consider obtaining a BIS certificate. The BIS certificate is a valuable asset that can help you to improve your business.

5. Conclusion
It is mandatory to obtain BIS registration for Electronics and IT products covered under the Compulsory registration scheme before launching them into the market. All electronics product manufacturers must get BIS registration for their products to use BIS Standard Mark with R-number.

If you are looking for BIS Registration, please contact Interlink Vietnam. We will assists manufacturers and importers in obtaining BIS registration for their products in a timely manner by providing valuable insights and assistance at each stage of the BIS Registration Process.