Get BIS Certification for Steel Products in India: Standards, Process & Requirements

Although steel might appear to be a simple industrial material, its quality has a direct bearing on safety and performance when it is used in the form of a reinforcement bar, a structural section, a pressure-vessel plate, a pipe, a sheet, a wire, or as a stainless-steel product. This is the reason why the regulatory framework in India imposes strict quality requirements on various types of steel and steel products.

For businesses that manufacture or import steel products, BIS Certification for Steel Products is therefore more than just a quality label; where a product is the subject of a Government Quality Control Order (QCO), compliance with the relevant Indian Standard and obtaining BIS certification is a legal obligation before the product can be manufactured, imported, sold, or distributed in the Indian market.

The applicable certification framework is maintained by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and the Government announces products that are subject to certification via the QCOs. Currently, BIS has a large number of steel and iron products included in its compulsory certification framework.

Before entering the Indian market, manufacturers, importers, and companies based overseas need to understand the relevant standard, the testing requirements, the factory’s infrastructure, the marking regulations, and the certification process.

What Does BIS Certification for Steel Products Entail?

BIS Certification for steel products is a conformity assessment procedure by which BIS checks that the product and the manufacturing processes of the manufacturer comply with the relevant Indian Standard.

Within the BIS product certification system, certification is usually voluntary; but the Central Government has the power to make it mandatory for certain products by means of Quality Control Orders. When it comes to products that are the subject of compulsory QCOs, the relevant Standard Mark must be used provided that a valid BIS licence is held.

Certification for a large number of steel products is given under Scheme-I, which is usually linked with the ISI Mark. The BIS examines the manufacturing infrastructure, the process controls, the quality-control measures, and the testing capabilities, as well as the product’s conformity with the applicable Indian Standard.

What Steel Products May be Required to Have BIS Certification?

Depending on the applicable QCO and Indian Standard, certification may cover products such as:

• TMT and reinforcement steel bars
• Steel wires and wire products
• Structural steel
• Steel plates and sheets
• Galvanized steel sheets
• Steel tubes and pipes
• Stainless steel products
• Electrical steel sheets and strips
• Alloy and engineering steel
• Pre-stressed concrete steel products
• Certain steel billets, blooms and slabs

Hence, it would be wrong for businesses to suppose that all steel products go through the same certification process; each product’s classification, its Indian Standard, the applicability of QCO, and the manufacturing process have to be examined separately.

Indian Standard on Steel and Steel Products

BIS Certification for Indian Manufacturers: Basic Requirements

In order to obtain BIS ISI Certification for Indian manufacturers, the applicant has to show that their factory has the facilities needed to consistently produce conforming products.

Important requirements generally include:

• Appropriate manufacturing machinery and production facilities
• Defined manufacturing process
• Suitable raw materials
• Quality-control procedures
• Required testing facilities or arrangements
• Calibrated testing equipment
• Competent testing personnel
• Product-specific inspection and testing arrangements
• Proper factory layout and production records
• Compliance with the applicable Scheme of Inspection and Testing
• Ability to maintain conformity after licensing

The BIS says that manufacturers should have the suitable manufacturing infrastructure, along with process controls and capabilities in the areas of quality control and testing which correspond to the relevant Indian Standard.

Documents Required for BIS Steel Certification

The exact documentation depends on the product and applicable product manual, but applicants generally need documents such as:

• Basic data of the manufacturing unit and the product segment
• Evidence of the manufacturing unit’s address (for example, a deed showing ownership or a utility bill, etc.)
• Trademark registration certificate (if brand name is used and registered)
• Manufacturing licence / statutory approvals (where relevant – such as pollution
• control and industry-specific approvals)
• Product drawings/design schematics
• Installed manufacturing capacity
• List of materials used, and specification
• Details of manufacturing machinery and equipment
• The layout plan of the factory, including production and testing areas, and storage areas
• A detailed manufacturing process flow is given
• In-house test equipment and calibration information
• Information about the quality control personnel
• Factory organisational chart

Step-by-Step Process for BIS Certification for Steel Products

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

The right IS Code should be identified and the product requirements checked.

• Identify applicable IS Code
• Review BIS specifications
• Ensure production meets the standard

Step 2: Product Testing & Documentation

Test the product and get the required certification documents that are required.

• Product sample testing
• Technical documents
• Factory details
• Application documents

Step 3: Submit BIS Application

Submit the application via the BIS portal by including the required information.

• Test reports
• Factory information
• Supporting documents
• Applicable fees

Step 4: BIS Factory Inspection

The officials from the BIS examine the manufacturing facility and its quality systems.

• Manufacturing process
• Machinery and infrastructure
• Quality control
• Testing facilities

Step 5: Laboratory Testing

Samples can be sent to an approved laboratory to check that they conform.

• Sample collection
• Prescribed testing
• Laboratory Test Report (LTR)
• Report submission to BIS

Step 6: Close Non-Conformities

All observations made during the assessment have to be dealt with.

• Corrective actions
• Additional documents
• Re-testing, if required
• Closure of observations

Step 7: Pay Licence & Marking Fees

Once the assessment has been carried out, you should pay the relevant BIS fees.

• Licence fee
• Marking fee
• Other applicable charges

Step 8: Grant of BIS Licence

Once the process has been successfully completed, the BIS awards the licence for the product that has been approved.

• BIS licence issued
• Approved scope confirmed
• ISI Mark permitted
• Ongoing compliance required

BIS Marking Requirements for Steel Products

The product has to be marked following the BIS requirements that apply. Depending on the product and licence scope, marking may include:

• BIS Standard Mark/ISI Mark
• Applicable IS number
• BIS licence number
• Manufacturer identification
• Grade, size or relevant product identification
• Other marking details prescribed by the applicable standard/product manual

For the steel products which are the subject of the 2024 QCO, the Government has laid down that Standard Marking is compulsory under a BIS licence and with the relevant test-certificate requirements for the consignments in question.

Cost of BIS ISI Certification in India

The total cost of obtaining BIS ISI Certification varies according to the product, the relevant Indian Standard, the testing requirements, the scope of certification, and the factory requirements.

Timeline and Validity of BIS ISI Certification in India

The timeline for the certification will vary depending on the readiness of the documents, the product testing, the factory inspection, the BIS queries, and compliance with the applicable requirements.

• Standard timeline: Approximately 30 – 40 working days
• AIF products: May take up to 180 days in certain cases
• Licence validity: Up to 5 years, subject to applicable BIS requirements

The licence must be renewed before it expires in order to keep the certification going and to ensure that the ISI Mark remains authorised. Read more also: Steel Product Certification for Foreign Manufacture.

Common Challenges in Steel BIS Certification

Manufacturers frequently face difficulties in:

• Selecting the correct Indian Standard
• Understanding QCO applicability
• Matching product varieties with licence scope
• Preparing the factory for inspection
• Arranging required testing equipment
• Maintaining calibration records
• Understanding sampling and testing requirements
• Closing BIS inspection observations
• Managing changes in standards or QCOs
• Handling foreign manufacturer/AIR requirements

Carrying out a technical compliance review prior to filing can help in identifying these problems at an early stage.

How UMSPCS Helps with BIS Certification for Steel Products

We provide support to manufacturers, importers, and foreign companies with regard to product regulatory compliance from start to finish.

With 6+ years of experience and 600+ product compliance cases, UMSPCS assists businesses in organising the certification process before their products are produced, imported, and sold in India, based on its experience in a number of product-compliance areas.

For BIS Certification for Steel Products, our support can include:

• Product and IS code identification
• QCO applicability assessment
• Documentation preparation
• Factory readiness assessment
• BIS application support
• Laboratory coordination
• Test-report review
• BIS query handling
• Factory inspection coordination
• Licence scope and marking guidance
• Renewal and post-certification compliance support

Conclusion

The BIS Certification for steel products is important in making sure that regulated steel products entering the Indian market comply with the relevant Indian Standards and government requirements. If you produce TMT bars, structural steel, pipes, sheets, stainless steel, wires, or any other regulated steel products, your first action should be to determine the right Indian Standard and check the most up-to-date QCO requirements.

For Indian manufacturers, certification includes factory preparation, testing, documentation, making an application, having it assessed, and maintaining compliance. In the case of foreign manufacturers, the FMCS route has further requirements, namely the need for an Authorized Indian Representative and an assessment of the overseas factory.

Since steel standards and QCO requirements may be updated, companies should check the latest BIS and Ministry of Steel notifications before starting the application.

Wishing to get your steel product certified by BIS?

Connect with UMSPCS regarding the product-specific BIS applicability assessment, documentation, testing coordination, and certification support.

Read more also: Do Telephone Answering Machines Require BIS Certification?

FAQs

1. Is it necessary for all steel products in India to have BIS Certification?

BIS certification is usually voluntary unless the central government makes a specific product compulsory by means of a QCO; in that case, it is necessary to check the relevant product and the current QCO.

2. What does the BIS ISI Certification entail for Indian manufacturers of steel products?

It is due to the BIS licensing system that approved manufacturers can use the Standard Mark/ISI Mark on products that comply with the relevant Indian Standard.

3. Is it necessary for steel importers to have BIS certification?

If a steel product is subject to a compulsory QCO, the imported goods have to comply with the relevant BIS requirements and the Standard Mark regulations.

4. Is it possible for a foreign steel producer to get BIS certification?

Foreign manufacturers who are eligible may apply under FMCS and have to comply with the relevant Indian Standard, the manufacturing and testing requirements, and the AIR requirements.

5. Is it necessary to have the factory inspected to obtain BIS steel certification?

Factory assessment is an important element of the BIS certification process under Scheme-I, the purpose of which is for BIS to check the manufacturing infrastructure, the process controls, the quality control, and the testing capabilities.