A product may appear to be perfectly safe, may carry out its promised functions, and yet can still encounter a major obstacle in the Indian market if it fails to comply with the relevant BIS certification requirements.
It is in this field that a great many manufacturers end up confused: should they obtain BIS CRS Registration or BIS ISI Certification? Are the two types of qualification identical? Is the ISI Mark necessary for an electronic product? Can a foreign manufacturer apply for ISI certification? And what happens if a product is the subject of a mandatory Quality Control Order?
Mainly, the answer is determined by the product category, the appropriate Indian Standard, the place of manufacture of the product, and the government notification that applies to that product.
The blog explains the BIS CRS vs ISI Mark, covering information on their legal basis, who is eligible, the documents required, the procedures involved, the benefits available, the length of time for which they are valid, the timeframes in question, the difficulties that have been encountered, and the steps that manufacturers should take to comply in India.
What is Meant by BIS Certification in India?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards organisation of India and carries out a number of conformity assessment schemes both for products and for manufacturers.
Even though BIS certification is generally voluntary, the Central Government can make it mandatory for certain products by means of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and other statutory notifications. For products which are covered by mandatory certification requirements, manufacturers may be obliged to get a BIS licence, registration, or Certificate of Conformity before they manufacture, import, sell, or distribute the product in India.
A single BIS certification in India is not available; instead, the scheme in question will depend on the product and the particular notification that applies to it.
The two routes discussed in this article are:
- BIS ISI Certification under Scheme-I
- BIS CRS Certification under Scheme-II
BIS CRS vs ISI Mark: The Basic Difference
The simplest way to grasp the difference is to consider the nature of the conformity assessment.
| Basis | BIS ISI Certification | BIS CRS Registration |
| BIS scheme | Scheme-I | Scheme-II |
| Common identification | ISI/BIS Standard Mark | BIS Standard Mark with R-number |
| Assessment approach | Licence based on assessment of manufacturing and testing capabilities plus product conformity | Registration based on self-declaration of conformity supported by testing |
| Major application area | Various industrial and consumer products covered by Scheme-I | Notified electronics, IT goods and other products covered under CRS |
| Factory assessment | Generally applicable as part of Scheme-I certification | CRS primarily relies on product testing and self-declaration |
| Testing | BIS-recognized/approved testing arrangements as applicable | BIS-recognized laboratory testing |
| Foreign manufacturers | FMCS is generally used for eligible foreign manufacturers outside the CRS scope | Foreign manufacturers of notified CRS products can apply with an Authorized Indian Representative where required |
| Typical example | Cement, steel products and other products covered under Scheme-I | Electronic clocks, laptops, televisions and other notified electronic products |
The BIS refers to Scheme-I as the ISI Mark Scheme and to Scheme-II as the Registration Scheme.
What is BIS ISI Certification?
BIS ISI Certification is one of the product certification routes provided under Scheme-I of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
BIS gives a manufacturer a licence to use the Standard Mark, usually referred to as the ISI Mark, having evaluated the manufacturer’s manufacturing facilities, production processes, quality control and testing capabilities, and having confirmed that the product conforms with the applicable Indian Standard.
The method by which conformity is demonstrated will depend on the relevant product and the certification process in question, and this can be done through testing by a third party, testing at the manufacturer’s premises, or a mix of these testing arrangements.
What Does BIS CRS Certification entail?
The BIS CRS Certification is governed by Scheme-II in Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) was set up for certain electronic and IT products as part of the Government’s regulatory framework. MeitY first issued the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order in 2012, after which the range of products covered by the scheme has been extended and updated.
Under the CRS, manufacturers have to send their products off to testing at laboratories that are recognized by the BIS and then apply for registration by means of a declaration of conformity.
The CRS website says that the manufacturer has to have the product tested by a laboratory which is recognized by BIS and then make the application using the relevant test report.
Why are the BIS CRS and the ISI Mark different?
The main difference lies in the way conformity is evaluated and in the products that are included.
ISI MARK Certification is a general product certification procedure under which the BIS assesses the manufacturer’s capabilities in production and testing as well as the conformity of the product.
On the contrary, CRS is a system based on registration for products which have been notified under the relevant compulsory registration orders, and the manufacturer uses test results from a laboratory recognised by BIS to submit a declaration of conformity.
A manufacturer ought not to choose CRS or ISI just because it seems easier or quicker; it should follow the route specified by the relevant government notification and the Indian Standard.
BIS CRS Certification for Electronic Products
For manufacturers who wish to obtain BIS CRS Certification for electronic products, the process usually starts by checking that the product is included in the relevant CRS product list.
The major steps include:
- Determine the relevant CRS product category and Indian Standard
- Select a BIS-recognized laboratory
- Prepare the test request using the CRS system
- Send the required sample to the laboratory
- Get the test report and check that it is valid
- Make sure that the test report is still within the validity period that has been prescribed for it to be submitted
- Get the undertaking and the supporting documents that are required
- Fill in the registration form online
- Reply to BIS questions if they come up
- Obtain the CRS registration/R-number
The CRS portal currently states that the test report submitted as part of the application should not be older than 90 days when the online submission is made.
What Concern is There Regarding BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers?
Foreign manufacturers should be especially careful since the route varies according to the product.
For non-electronic products covered by the applicable BIS product certification system, the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is usually the appropriate method. The BIS says that FMCS enables a foreign manufacturer to get a BIS licence so that the Standard Mark can be used on products which comply with the relevant Indian Standards.
Eligible foreign manufacturers can make use of the CRS route for CRS products. If necessary, a foreign applicant who does not have an Indian liaison office or branch office must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) in accordance with BIS requirements.
The BIS certification obtained by foreign manufacturers is not automatically equivalent to domestic ISI certification.
Basic Requirements of BIS Certification
While requirements vary by product, manufacturers should generally be prepared with:
- Correct Indian Standard code
- Manufacturing address and business details
- Product technical specifications
- Manufacturing process information
- Quality-control details
- Testing arrangements
- Product specifications where applicable
- Test reports
- Trademark documents
- Authorization documents, where applicable
- Affidavits and undertakings
- Authorized signatory details
- Authorized Indian Representative documents for eligible foreign applications
- Applicable fees
The official checklist referred to by CRS also includes address proof and a business licence, together with brand documentation, an undertaking, a test report, and documents relating to AIR for manufacturers from abroad.
Common Challenges Manufacturers Face
Even when certification appears straightforward, manufacturers frequently encounter issues such as:
- Incorrect IS Code
- Incomplete Test Reports
- Brand and Model Mismatch
- Factory Readiness
- Foreign Manufacturer Documentation
- Changes in Standards
Legal Framework Behind BIS CRS and ISI Certification
The current BIS conformity assessment framework is primarily governed by:
- Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
- BIS Rules, 2018
- BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
- Applicable BIS scheme-specific guidelines
- Product-specific Indian Standards
- Quality Control Orders (QCOs)
- MeitY notifications/orders for applicable electronics and IT products
- Other ministry-specific compulsory registration/certification orders
The BIS makes the Act, the Rules, and the Conformity Assessment Regulations available via its regulatory framework.
Which Certification Do You Need: BIS CRS or ISI Mark?
It will depend on the product you have.
Choose the applicable BIS Scheme-I route when:
- Your product is covered under Scheme-I
- A QCO mandates BIS certification under the applicable scheme
- A BIS licence is required to use the ISI Mark with your product
Consider CRS when:
- Your product is specifically covered under the applicable Compulsory Registration Scheme
- It is a notified electronic or other CRS product
- Registration is required by the relevant notification before the product is placed on the market
For foreign manufacturers:
- Check whether your product falls under CRS.
- If it is an eligible non-CRS product under the BIS product certification framework, evaluate FMCS requirements.
- For products offered by CRS, you should check the AIR and foreign-applicant requirements.s
The main rule is straightforward: you should first determine the product and then find the relevant Indian Standard and government notification.
How UMSPCS Can Help With BIS Certification CRS and ISI Mark
It can be difficult to choose the correct BIS route when there are multiple standards, QCOs, testing requirements, and application procedures in play.
UMSPCS, with 6+ years of experience and support covering over 600 product compliance requirements, helps companies to understand the right certification pathway before they commit to testing and submitting an application.
UMSPCS supports manufacturers and businesses with end-to-end BIS Certification in India, including:
- Product and IS-code identification
- BIS CRS applicability assessment
- ISI certification route assessment
- BIS Certification for foreign manufacturers
- Documentation preparation
- BIS application support
- BIS-recognized laboratory coordination
- Test report review
- Model and brand documentation
- Factory readiness support
- Query and deficiency response assistance
- Renewal and compliance support
Conclusion
The distinction between the BIS CRS and the ISI Mark goes beyond the look of the certification mark.
The ISI certification provided under Scheme-I is a product certification and licensing system that assesses manufacturing capabilities and product conformity, while that under CRS in Scheme-II is a system based on registration used for products which have been notified within the relevant compulsory registration framework.
For Indian manufacturers as well as foreign manufacturers and companies that import goods, the appropriate course of action will vary according to the product in question, the relevant Indian Standard, the place where it is manufactured, and the government notification.
It is therefore necessary, before carrying out any testing or submitting an application, to determine the right BIS scheme and to understand its documentation, testing, marking, validity, and the requirements for renewal.
Are you having trouble working out whether your product needs BIS CRS, ISI certification, or some other BIS route?
For professional BIS compliance support, product applicability assessment, documentation assistance, laboratory coordination, and application guidance, contact UMSPCS.
Read more also: Navigating CDSCO Certification for Gastroenterological Devices
FAQs
- What is the difference between the BIS CRS and the ISI Mark?
BIS CRS functions according to Scheme-II as a conformity assessment procedure based on registration, whereas ISI certification operates pursuant to Scheme-I as a product certification or licensing procedure. The route that applies varies depending on the product and the relevant government notification.
- Is the BIS CRS certification the same as the BIS ISI certification?
BIS CRS Certification and BIS ISI Certification are based on different BIS conformity assessment schemes and have different requirements regarding their application and assessment.
- What products need to obtain BIS CRS Certification?
Electronic and IT products, together with other products listed under the relevant CRS framework, must be registered. It is necessary to check the current BIS product list before making an application.
- What is the need for BIS ISI Certification in India?
Companies that manufacture or sell products that are included in Scheme-I or in a mandatory QCO requiring BIS certification may have to obtain an ISI Mark licence before doing so in India.
- Is it possible for foreign manufacturers to obtain BIS Certification?
Foreign manufacturers can get the relevant BIS approvals. In the case of non-electronic products which are eligible, FMCS may be applied, whereas electronic products that have been notified may be covered by CRS along with extra requirements for foreign applicants.
- Do foreign manufacturers need an Authorized Indian Representative?
CRS requires that foreign applicants who do not have a liaison office or a branch office in India should appoint an Authorized Indian Representative in accordance with the applicable BIS requirements.
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