Picture being embroiled in product development, manufacturing, and market entry for months and then suddenly hearing that your BIS application has been delayed because the wrong Indian Standard was specified or a document has been missed.
For every business entering the Indian market, obtaining BIS Certification in India does not merely involve getting the certificate but indicates that the applicable Indian Standard has been satisfied for the product and that conformity assessment requirements as stipulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
That is the reason why it is important to select the correct BIS Certification Agency.
A competent consultant will be able to assist you in determining the appropriate certification scheme, in preparing the necessary documentation, in arranging the testing, in handling the application, and in answering any queries from the regulators. But how can you tell if the consultant is really capable of looking after your product?
There are 10 key points you should check before employing BIS Certification Consultants.
What is BIS Certification and When is it Required?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) operates its different conformity assessment schemes under the BIS Act, 2016 and the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
BIS certification is generally voluntary; however, the Central Government is entitled to mandate compliance for particular products through Quality Control Orders (QCOs). Products that are subject to such mandatory requirements may be required to obtain a BIS licence, a Certificate of Conformity (CoC), or registration with the relevant BIS scheme before they can legally be manufactured, imported or sold in India.
The first thing that a BIS Certification Consultant in India should do is not to begin an application right away, but to establish whether or not your product needs to be BIS certified, to identify the appropriate Indian Standard and to determine which conformity assessment scheme applies.
10 Things to Check Before Hiring a BIS Certification Agency
1. Product and IS Code Knowledge
Select a consultant who can accurately determine the relevant Indian Standard (IS Code) and certification requirements for your product.
2. Knowledge of the BIS schemes
Make certain that they understand the relevant BIS schemes, including ISI Certification, CRS, FMCS and any other conformity assessment schemes.
3. Testing Support
Find out if the consultant is able to arrange for product testing to be carried out at a laboratory that is recognised by BIS and accredited by NABL.
4. Documentation Expertise
An experienced consultant should assist in preparing and examining the technical, factory, testing and application documents required by BIS.
5. Foreign Manufacturer Experience
When you are a manufacturer based overseas, you should select consultants who have experience in BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers and the FMCS requirements.
6. Factory Inspection Support
The consultant ought to assist you in getting your manufacturing facility, your quality-control system, and your testing arrangements ready for the BIS inspection.
7. Realistic Timeline
Do not hire consultants who promise immediate approval, since the time taken to become certified involves testing, inspection, documentation, and BIS processing.
8. Transparent Fee Structure
Before you begin, request a clear itemization of the BIS fees, the testing charges, the inspection costs, and the consultancy fees.
9. Support for Renewal and Compliance
Compliance with BIS requirements lasts even after the certification has been obtained. You should select a consultant who will also offer support during the renewal and the period after certification.
10. End-to-End Assistance
Go for a consultant who will be able to assist with the entire process, from product assessment and testing through to application, inspection, the granting of the licence and compliance.
What Certification Procedure Should your Consultant Carry Out?
A typical BIS product certification process involves:
Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard
The first thing to do is to identify the Indian Standard (IS Code) that applies to the product.
Manufacturers must:
- Understand the product requirements
- Make sure that the product is produced in accordance with the relevant BIS standard
- Wherever necessary, adjust or enhance the manufacturing processes
Step 2: Product Testing & Documentation
The product is tested in accordance with the relevant Indian Standard at a laboratory which is recognised by BIS and accredited by NABL, where this is required.
This stage includes:
- Samples of the product are submitted for testing
- Preparation of technical documents
- A set of details relating to factories and manufacturing
- Filling in and finalising the BIS application
Step 3: Application Submission
The finished BIS application is then submitted online together with the necessary documents and the relevant government fees.
The application generally includes:
- Product test reports
- Factory and manufacturing information
- The technical and supporting documents required
- Applicable BIS government fees
Once it has been submitted, the BIS looks at the application and the supporting information.
Step 4: BIS Factory Inspection
The officials of the BIS could go to the manufacturing plant to check if the manufacturer has the necessary infrastructure and quality-control measures in place.
During the inspection, BIS may assess:
- Manufacturing processes
- Production facilities and equipment
- Quality-control procedures
- In-house testing capabilities
Product samples can also be obtained whilst the inspection is taking place for the purpose of further evaluation.
Step 5: Product Testing & Lab Report Submission
The samples obtained as a result of the inspection are forwarded to the approved laboratory for testing when this is necessary.
The Lab Test Report (LTR) is prepared by the relevant laboratory and then handed directly to BIS for evaluation.
Step 6: Closure of Non-Conformities, If Any
The manufacturer must take the appropriate corrective actions if any non-conformities are found during inspection or product testing.
This may involve:
- Implementing corrective measures
- Submitting amended or further documents
- Addressing the identified non-conformities
- Carrying out extra testing where it is required
Step 7: Payment of Licence & Marking Fees
The manufacturer must pay the prescribed BIS fees once the requirements of the relevant certification have been successfully met.
These may include:
- Annual licence fee
- Applicable marking fee
- BIS charges prescribed in other cases, if applicable
Step 8: Grant of ISI Licence
When the necessary testing, inspection, documentation, the corrective actions, and the payment of the fees have been satisfactorily completed, BIS will issue the ISI Licence.
Once it has obtained the licence, the manufacturer may apply the ISI Mark to certified products in accordance with the relevant BIS requirements.
List of Documents Required for BIS ISI Certificate for Indian Manufacturers
Good documentation is necessary if the BIS ISI Certification process is to go smoothly. The specific documents needed may differ according to the product and the relevant Indian Standard, but generally the following documents are required:
- Manufacturing Unit & Product Details
- Factory Address Proof
- Trademark Certificate
- Manufacturing Licence & Approvals
- Product Drawings & Specifications
- Installed Production Capacity
- Raw Material Details
- Machinery & Equipment Details
- Factory Layout Plan
- Manufacturing Process Flow
- Testing & Calibration Details
- Quality Control Personnel Details
- Factory Organisation Chart
Common Challenges Businesses Face
Without proper guidance, applicants may encounter:
- Incorrect Indian Standard identification
- Incomplete documentation
- Failed product testing
- Poor factory preparedness
- Missing testing facilities
- Delayed responses to BIS queries
- Incorrect marking or labelling
- Problems with brand/trademark documentation
- Delays in sample testing
- Renewal lapses
- Additional compliance requirements introduced through regulatory changes
The existence of these problems can lead to both a higher cost and a longer duration for the certification process.
What attracts you to Choosing UMSPCS for BIS certification?
We at UMSPCS know that obtaining BIS certification is a process relating to compliance and not merely something involving the submission of an application.
UMSPCS provides structured support for complying with BIS requirements based on the product in question, the place of manufacturing, and the relevant Indian Standard, drawing on its experience and assistance spanning more than 6 years and covering over 600 product compliance requirements.
Our support can include:
- Product and IS code assessment
- Identification of applicable BIS scheme
- Documentation assistance
- Testing and laboratory coordination
- BIS application support
- Factory inspection preparation
- Query and deficiency support
- Certification and licence assistance
- Renewal and post-certification guidance
- Support for Indian and eligible foreign manufacturers
We can assist you whenever you need BIS Certification in India, support from a BIS ISI Certification Consultant, or BIS certification for foreign manufacturers by helping you to deal with the process more clearly.
Conclusion
For manufacturers, importers, and other companies that intend to enter the Indian market, deciding to hire a BIS Certification Agency is a significant one.
From carrying out the right Indian Standard identification to preparing the documentation, organising the testing, managing the factory assessment, and ensuring compliance afterwards, each stage can have an effect on the final timeline and outcome.
The requirements for BIS certification also differ according to the product and the scheme in question, so professional advice should start with a thorough regulatory assessment rather than with a general certification package.
If you are looking for reliable consultants for BIS Certification?
Connect with UMSPCS now to talk about your product and to find out what the BIS certification requirements are before you begin your application.
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FAQs
- What constitutes a BIS Certification Agency?
A consultant who assists companies with BIS assessments, documentation, testing, implementation, and compliance.
- Is it necessary to have BIS Certification in India?
It varies according to the product; the mandatory requirements are made known via the relevant government regulations and QCOs.
- What is the time taken to obtain BIS Certification?
The timeline varies depending on the product, the extent of testing, the inspection, and the level of completion of the application.
- What documents are required to obtain BIS Certification?
The documents differ according to the product, although they usually consist of technical, manufacturing, testing, and business documents.
- Is it possible for foreign manufacturers to obtain BIS Certification?
Foreign manufacturers who are eligible may apply under the relevant BIS schemes, including the FMCS.
- Do factory inspections have to be carried out to obtain BIS Certification?
BIS is able to carry out factory assessments and product testing in the case of certification schemes which are applicable.
- What value does BIS Certification have?
Under Scheme-I, a licence can initially be given for a period of up to two years, provided that the relevant requirements are met.
- Can a consultant promise BIS approval?
Certification is issued by BIS following its evaluation of the relevant compliance requirements.
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