What Should Manufacturers Know About BIS ISI Certification for Automobile Accessories?

Even though a vehicle has many parts, a simple component such as a tyre, tube, wheel rim, or safety glazing can still have a direct effect on road safety and on the performance of the vehicle. This is the reason why companies entering the Indian market must know precisely where BIS ISI Certification for Automobile Accessories is applicable and where it is not.

It is a widespread belief that all automobile accessories need to have an ISI Mark. In fact, BIS certification is required whenever a product is included in a Quality Control Order (QCO) or some other relevant regulation. Currently, BIS includes, among the products relating to automobiles, pneumatic tyres and tubes that must be certified, and automobile wheel rims are covered by a different QCO. Mandatory BIS certification also applies to road-transport safety glass.

Hence, for manufacturers, compliance begins by determining the right product, the appropriate Indian Standard, and the regulatory order, not merely applying for a general BIS certificate.

What is the Importance of BIS Certification for Automotive Parts?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) executes product certification in various ways, including several different conformity assessment schemes. Where mandatory certification is required, the Central Government may insist on the use of the BIS Standard Mark by a Qualified Conformity Assessor (QCO) according to the BIS Act 2016. 

Based on Section 16, the Central Government is empowered to prescribe mandatory requirements for certain products relating to the Standard Mark. Further, Section 17 forbids the sale, manufacturing, and any other form of commercial activity of these products unless they come with the Standard Mark along with a valid license.

Automobile-related products will therefore have to obtain BIS certification in India if they are specifically notified under the relevant QCO.

Automobile Products Commonly Covered Under BIS Requirements

The list of compulsory certifications maintained by the BIS includes the tyre and tube standards as well as the wheel-rim standards associated with Scheme-I. The Safety Glass QCO specifically relates to safety glass for use in road transport and refers to IS 2553 (Part 2):2019.

Basic Requirements for BIS ISI Certification

Anyone who wishes to obtain an ISI Mark for automotive products must be able to show that both the product and the manufacturing plant can consistently comply with the relevant Indian Standard.

BIS states that manufacturers should have the following:

• Manufacturing infrastructure
• Production and process controls
• Quality control arrangements
• Testing facilities or access to appropriate testing facilities
• Competent personnel
• Product conformity with the applicable Indian Standard

The BIS evaluates manufacturing and testing capabilities and can achieve conformity by means of testing carried out by a third-party laboratory, by carrying out the testing itself, or by a combination of both, according to the relevant certification procedure.

With regard to automobile components that are subjected to performance and safety testing, manufacturers should give special attention to calibration, the test records, the inspection procedures, and traceability.

Documents Generally Required for BIS ISI Certification

The precise checklist depends on the product and its Product Manual, but an application for BIS ISI Certification for Indian Manufacturers generally requires technical and business information such as:

• Basic data of the manufacturing unit and the product segment
• Evidence of the manufacturing unit’s address (for example, a title deed showing ownership or a bill from a utility company, 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

The product manuals from the BIS give specific guidelines on sampling, the equipment needed for testing, the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT), information on the scope, and other relevant technical advice.

How to Get BIS Certification for Automobile Accessories

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

The process starts with determining the Indian Standard (IS code) that applies to the product. Manufacturers ought to understand the requirements of the standard, adjust their product specifications in line with it, and then make the necessary improvements to their manufacturing process.

Step 2: Product Testing & Documentation

To check that the product conforms to the relevant standard, it is tested in a laboratory that is recognised by BIS and accredited by NABL. The manufacturers at this stage obtain samples of the product, prepare the technical documents, gather information about the factory and the manufacturing process, and fill in the necessary application forms.

Step 3: Submit the BIS Application

When the testing and the documentation have been completed, the manufacturer submits the BIS application online together with the necessary supporting documents, the test reports, information about the factory, and the relevant government fees. BIS then examines the application and the documents.

Step 4: BIS Factory Inspection

The officials from the BIS could go to the manufacturing plant to examine the production process, the manufacturing setup, the quality control system, and the facility’s in-house testing capabilities, and samples of the product could also be taken during the inspection for further evaluation.

Step 5: Product Testing & LTR Submission

The samples obtained as a result of the inspection are forwarded to an approved laboratory for testing, and the Laboratory Test Report (LTR) is then directly submitted by the laboratory to BIS for further assessment.

Step 6: Closure of Non-Conformities

Wherever non-conformities are found as a result of the inspection or testing, the manufacturer is required to take the necessary corrective actions, and further documents or evidence might also have to be submitted to BIS in order to close the issues identified.

Step 7: Payment of Licence & Marking Fees

Once the certification requirements have been fulfilled, the manufacturer must pay the annual licence fee and the ISI marking fee as specified by BIS.

Step 8: Grant of BIS ISI Licence

Once the testing, inspection, compliance closure, and payment of the relevant fees have been successfully completed, BIS will grant the ISI licence; the manufacturer can then use the ISI Standard Mark on the certified products in accordance with the applicable requirements.

BIS ISI Certification Cost

The total cost of obtaining BIS ISI Certification varies according to a number of factors such as the product category, the testing requirements that apply, the size of the factory, the documentation needed, and the complexity of the certification process.

The real costs involved in testing and grading may differ according to the product and the relevant BIS requirements.

BIS ISI Certification Timeline and Validity

The BIS ISI certification process usually takes about 30 to 40 working days, the length depending on factors including the documentation, the testing, the factory inspection and BIS processing.

In some cases, the process for AIF products may take as long as 180 days depending on the relevant requirements and the approval process.

Once a BIS ISI licence has been granted, it is normally valid for five years, provided that the relevant BIS terms and conditions are adhered to. In order to remain legally entitled to use the ISI Mark and to supply certified products in the Indian market, manufacturers have to make sure that the licence is renewed in a timely manner.

What Challenges Can Automobile Accessory Manufacturers Face?

• Identifying the correct Indian Standard (IS) code
• Meeting all applicable product quality requirements
• Preparing complete and accurate documentation
• Coordinating product testing with BIS-recognised laboratories
• Managing factory inspection and sample testing
• Addressing non-conformities or BIS queries
• Ensuring timely payment of applicable BIS and marking fees
• Maintaining compliance after obtaining the BIS ISI licence

For foreign manufacturers, the process of making an AIR appointment, ensuring factory readiness, arranging overseas inspections, having samples tested in Indian laboratories, and meeting additional FMCS requirements can lead to increased complexity.

How UMSPCS Helps with Automobile Accessory BIS Compliance

At UMSPCS, we assist manufacturers in going through the entire process of BIS certification in India by taking a documentation-oriented and product-specific approach.

We assist manufacturers in going through the BIS certification process by means of a structured and product-specific method, drawing on our experience in compliance, which spans more than 6 years and includes support for over 600 product compliance requirements.

Our support includes:

• Identifying the applicable Indian Standard and QCO
• Reviewing and preparing BIS documentation
• Coordinating product testing with approved laboratories
• Preparing and submitting BIS applications
• Supporting factory inspection and readiness
• Assisting with technical queries and non-conformities
• Guiding on BIS licence and marking requirements
• Supporting overseas manufacturers with BIS certification and FMCS requirements

Conclusion

BIS compliance does not apply universally to all products sold as automobile accessories; the key considerations are the product’s technical characteristics, the relevant Indian Standard, and whether the Central Government has made BIS certification mandatory by means of a QCO.

Manufacturers have to work out the right compliance route before they start production, import, or sell tyres and tubes, wheel rims, and road-transport safety glass.

What about planning for your automobile accessory or automotive component to be certified by BIS? 

Connect with UMSPCS for advice specific to products, for support with the documentation, for coordination of testing, and for end-to-end BIS consultancy.

Read more also: How Can German Furniture & Electrical Exporter Meet BIS Requirements

FAQs

1. Is BIS certification required for all automobile accessories?

BIS certification is a requirement in cases where the product is the subject of a QCO or some other applicable mandatory certification obligation. It is advisable for manufacturers to check the current BIS product list before taking any further action.

2. What are some of the automobile accessories that generally need BIS ISI certification?

Items such as those specified for use in the automotive sector, namely tyres, tubes, wheel rims, and road-transport safety glass, are subject to mandatory BIS requirements as set out in various orders and Indian Standards.

3. Is it possible for an Indian manufacturer to apply for BIS ISI certification?

Indian manufacturers can apply through the relevant BIS product certification procedure, on the condition that they possess the necessary capabilities in manufacturing, quality control and testing.

4. Is it possible for foreign manufacturers to get BIS certification for automobile components?

Yes, foreign manufacturers who wish to obtain BIS certification can do so via FMCS; the foreign manufacturer has to apply themselves and name an Authorized Indian Representative.

5. Can one BIS licence cover different automobile products?

Usually, the BIS demands individual applications for different products or Indian Standards and also for different places of manufacture. However, a licence can include several permitted varieties within the scope approved for it.