Imagine after having spent months manufacturing a product, you find out that it cannot be legally sold in India since you took the wrong route when obtaining your BIS certification.
It is here that a great many manufacturers and importers become confused. BIS ISI, BIS CRS and FMCS are not three names for the same certification; they are distinct conformity-assessment schemes intended for different products, manufacturers and regulatory requirements.
An Indian company producing cement must obtain BIS ISI certification for cement, whereas one that manufactures electronic products has to get BIS CRS certification for electronic products. A company that produces products outside India, on the other hand, will have to get BIS certification by using the route available to foreign manufacturers, a route which is usually managed by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).
Then, which of the features of your product apply? We should clarify the difference before applying it.
BIS ISI vs CRS vs FMCS: The Quick Difference
| Basis | BIS ISI Certification | BIS CRS Certification | BIS FMCS |
| Main purpose | Product certification under Scheme-I | Registration based on self-declaration under Scheme-II | BIS licensing route for foreign manufacturers |
| Typical products | Cement, steel, electrical products, construction products, consumer products, etc. | Notified electronic and IT products and other products covered under CRS | Products manufactured outside India, other than electronic/IT products covered through CRS |
| Applicant | Indian manufacturers | Indian and foreign manufacturers covered under CRS | Foreign manufacturers |
| Factory assessment | Generally applicable | Generally not the same factory-inspection model as Scheme-I | Factory assessment is part of the process |
| Product testing | BIS-recognized or applicable laboratories | BIS-recognized CRS laboratory | Testing as required under the applicable BIS process |
| Certification/registration | BIS licence with ISI Standard Mark | BIS registration/R-number and applicable Standard Mark/self-declaration | BIS licence with ISI Standard Mark |
| Validity | Initially up to 2 years; renewable subject to rules | Initially 2 years under current CRS information; renewal required | Initially up to 2 years; renewable subject to applicable requirements |
| Legal framework | BIS Act, 2016 and BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018 | BIS Act, 2016 and Scheme-II | BIS Act, 2016, FMCS and applicable conformity-assessment provisions |
The BIS says that its certification system is usually voluntary; however, the Central Government has the power to make certification mandatory for certain products by means of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and other statutory notifications.
Understand What BIS Certification Actually Means
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards organization of India, and its conformity-assessment system checks whether products conform to the relevant Indian Standards.
According to the BIS framework, a product will or may need a licence, registration or certificate depending on the conformity-assessment scheme in question.
The key thing is that you shouldn’t select ISI, CRS or FMCS just because your competitors do.
The correct route depends on:
- Product category
- Applicable Indian Standard
- Manufacturing location
- Applicable Quality Control Order
- Regulatory authority involved
- Whether the product falls under CRS
- Whether the manufacturer is located in India or outside India
The BIS specifically recommends that manufacturers first determine the appropriate Indian Standard and then evaluate their required manufacturing infrastructure, process controls, quality-control measures and testing capabilities.
What is BIS ISI Certification?
BIS ISI certification is the product certification method provided for under Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
It enables an eligible manufacturer to apply the ISI Standard Mark to products that comply with the relevant Indian Standard.
For instance, the need for compulsory BIS certification may apply to products such as cement, electrical goods, construction materials and various consumer products, depending on the relevant QCO and product requirements.
What does BIS CRS certification entail?
For a business that produces electronic or IT products, the approach could be entirely different.
The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) is governed by Scheme-II in Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
The government’s orders led to the introduction of the scheme for electronics and IT products, mainly through the efforts of MeitY, while other ministries also had products listed under the CRS Certification.
That is the reason why certification by the BIS CRS is a major compliance requirement for manufacturers who are dealing with electronic goods that have been notified.
What Is BIS FMCS?
Imagine a different scenario: a manufacturer who is based in Germany, China, Japan, the UAE, or another country and wishes to sell a product in India.
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is something that becomes important here.
FMCS is a scheme operated by BIS that allows a foreign manufacturer to get a BIS licence for products that comply with the appropriate Indian Standards. The BIS states that FMCS functions pursuant to the BIS Act, 2016 and the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
BIS certification for foreign manufacturers therefore represents an important means of complying with regulations for companies based overseas who wish to enter the Indian market.
Which of ISI, CRS, or FMCS Should you Choose?
The simplest method for working out the route is to put three questions.
- Do you make products in India?
If so, determine if your product is covered by Scheme-I or CRS. BIS ISI certification may be the appropriate way for Indian manufacturers of many regulated non-electronic products.
BIS CRS certification can apply to notified electronic and IT products.
- Does CRS cover your product if it is electronic or IT equipment?
If so, CRS could apply regardless of whether the manufacturer is in India or not in India.
- Does the manufacturer have its location outside India?
Where the product is covered by the FMCS, the foreign manufacturer might need to join the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme.
In the case of a foreign-made product which is an electronic/IT product listed under CRS, the CRS requirements should be looked at instead.
The specific Indian Standard and the relevant government notification finally determine the course.
Documents Required for BIS Certification
The exact document checklist varies by product and scheme, but commonly required documents may include:
- Company registration documents
- Manufacturing-unit address proof
- PAN documents, where applicable
- Manufacturing process flow chart
- List of machinery
- Quality-control details
- Testing equipment details
- Test reports
- Product specifications
- Raw-material details
- Quality manual, where applicable
- Authorized signatory details
- Brand documents
- Undertakings and declarations
- AIR documents for applicable foreign manufacturers
- Product-specific technical documents
FMCS has, according to BIS, documentation including manufacturing process flow charts, quality-assurance information, and details regarding the Indian representative.
Common Challenges Manufacturers Face
Picking the wrong scheme is only one of the problems that manufacturers also frequently encounter:
- Incorrect Indian Standard identification
- Outdated test reports
- Product-model mismatch
- Incomplete technical documentation
- Insufficient testing infrastructure
- Incorrect brand information
- Factory-readiness issues
- Delayed responses to BIS queries
- Non-conformity during testing
- Difficulty understanding QCO implementation dates
- Incorrect selection between CRS and FMCS
- Renewal delays
About CRS applications, BIS specifically points out that incomplete applications and delayed replies can cause a delay in registration.
What attracts you to Choosing UMSPCS for BIS certification ISI, CRS, FMCS?
Picking the right BIS route can mean a great deal of time, cost, and compliance effort being saved for manufacturers.
UMSPCS offers end-to-end consultancy relating to BIS compliance for companies that operate in both the Indian and international markets.
With 6+ years of experience and support across 600+ product compliance requirements, our team can assist with:
- Product and Indian Standard identification
- BIS applicability assessment
- ISI certification consultancy
- CRS registration consultancy
- FMCS consultancy for foreign manufacturers
- Documentation preparation
- BIS-recognized laboratory coordination
- Application filing support
- Factory inspection preparation
- Query and non-conformity support
- Renewal assistance
- Model scope guidance
- Compliance updates and regulatory monitoring
Whatever certification you need, such as BIS ISI certification for manufacturers in India, BIS CRS certification for electronic products, or BIS certification for foreign manufacturers, UMSPCS can assist you in determining the right compliance route before you start the application process.
Conclusion
There isn’t a single best BIS certification; the appropriate certification will vary according to the type of product you are manufacturing, the location where it is being manufactured, and the specific Indian Standard and government notification that apply to your product.
You should select ISI if your product is covered by the relevant BIS product certification route.
You should select CRS if your product is included in the Compulsory Registration Scheme, especially when it comes to those products which have been particularly notified in the field of electronics and information technology.
You should select FMCS if you are a foreign manufacturer and you wish to obtain BIS licensing for products that fall within the scope of FMCS. The main error is to begin using the application until the right route has been confirmed.
Can I help you to identify the correct BIS certification for your product?
Contact UMSPCS for professional BIS consultancy, product applicability assessment, documentation support, testing coordination, and application assistance.
Read more also: Guide MTCTE Certification for Multipoint Conferencing Server
FAQs
- What is the difference between BIS ISI and BIS CRS certification?
BIS ISI certification is usually a product certification based on a licence under Scheme-I, whereas CRS functions under Scheme-II and involves registration/self-declaration for the products that have been notified.
- What does one need the BIS ISI certification for about Indian manufacturers?
Indian manufacturers who are covered by the applicable compulsory BIS certification requirements may have to obtain an ISI licence before they sell or supply those products in India.
- What does the BIS CRS certification for electronic products entail?
CRS is the registration system administered by BIS for electronic, IT and other products which are covered by the relevant government orders.
- Is it possible for foreign manufacturers to get BIS CRS registration?
Yes, manufacturers based outside India may apply for CRS in respect of products which are covered by the relevant CRS orders, provided that the AIR and other requirements are met.
- Does FMCS apply to electronic products?
Most electronic and IT products fall under the CRS route rather than the FMCS route, and their applicability should be verified in light of the most recent notification.
- What is the maximum age of a CRS test report?
The CRS portal indicates that the test report should usually not be older than 90 days when the application is submitted.
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