Do Taiwanese Furniture and Electrical Appliance Makers Need BIS Certification to Export to India?

A consignment of furniture or a container of electrical goods could be ready to dispatch from Taiwan, but one very important question will ultimately determine whether those goods can get into India at all: does the product require BIS certification?

India is a market which offers scope for Taiwanese manufacturers in the areas of furniture, electrical goods and other consumer goods. It’s not just a case of getting the customer’s specification, working out the price, and getting the goods shipped over. There are certain products which have to meet Indian Standards and obtain the relevant BIS approval before they can be imported, distributed, or sold in India.

The problem is that BIS Certification for Taiwanese Manufacturers doesn’t operate on a one-size-fits-all basis. A piece of furniture might be covered by one particular Quality Control Order (QCO), an electrical appliance by a different QCO, or a different type of certification scheme (e.g., a safety order). Other products may in fact be completely exempt from the requirement for BIS certification.

For Taiwanese exporters, the first thing to do is to identify the correct Indian Standard, check the relevant government notification, and then work out which certification route you need to take. This guide looks at when BIS certification in Taiwan is relevant, how a foreign manufacturer can get approval, and how UMSPCS can assist a company in getting ready to enter the Indian market.

Do Taiwanese Manufacturers Need BIS ISI Certification?

If the product in question is covered by a mandatory BIS certification requirement. BIS certification is not mandatory for every piece of furniture or every electrical product sold in India.

As per the Bureau of Indian Standards, certification is normally voluntary unless the Government of India makes compliance with a standard mandatory for a product via a Quality Control Order or some other applicable legal requirement.

Before exporting, Taiwanese manufacturers should determine whether their products fall under:

A mandatory Quality Control Order issued by the appropriate Indian Ministry/Department.

• The BIS Scheme I certification route (the one most commonly associated with the ISI Mark).
• The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for specified electronics and IT products.
• Another applicable BIS conformity assessment scheme.
• No mandatory BIS certification requirement (subject to other applicable Indian import and safety regulations).

BIS Certification for Furniture vs. Electrical Appliances

Furniture and electrical appliances must be assessed separately as the applicable requirements will vary depending on the design, intended use, technical characteristics, and the relevant Indian Standard.

BIS Certification for Taiwan Furniture

Taiwanese furniture manufacturers should check whether their particular product is actually covered by a mandatory QCO or some other applicable certification requirement. The fact that it’s furniture doesn’t in itself mean that it’s subject to an ISI Mark.

For products that are outside the scope of mandatory certification, other applicable Indian laws, import requirements, and buyer specifications will still need to be considered.

BIS Certification for Taiwan Electrical Appliances

Electrical appliances will generally require more detailed regulatory screening as their safety requirements can be voltage-, power supply, intended use, and product type dependent.

Taiwanese manufacturers should therefore check to see if their particular appliance is covered by a product-specific order, a more general electrical safety order or some other mandatory certification requirement.

Basic Requirements for BIS Certification for Taiwan Manufacturers

Prior to applying for certification, the Taiwanese manufacturer should have established that its production facility and quality control arrangements are capable of meeting the relevant Indian Standard.

The principal requirements generally include:

• Applicable Indian Standard
• Manufacturing capability
• Quality-control system
• Testing facilities
• Product conformity
• Authorized Indian Representative
• Brand and product identification
• Regulatory compliance

BIS certification is product- and manufacturing premises specific. A licence for one factory or product scope does not imply that it covers another factory, a different product, or an unapproved model.

Documents Required for BIS Certification in Taiwan

Document requirements are different depending on the scheme and the product category. For an FMCS application, Taiwanese manufacturers should generally prepare the following documents, subject to the current BIS checklist:

• Basic data of the manufacturing unit and product category
• Test report furnished by a lab recognised by BIS/NABL as per the Indian Standard
• Proof of ownership of the manufacturing plant (i.e., ownership deed, utility bill, etc.)
• Trademark registration
• Licenses and approvals from statutory authorities
• Product design drawings/schematic
• Installed capacity for manufacturing
• Data on raw materials
• Specification and list of manufacturing machines
• Specification and list of manufacturing machines
• Flowchart for manufacturing process
• Packaging type and process
• List and calibration of test equipment available in the manufacturing unit
• Details of quality control staff
• Process of disposal of sub-standard products
• Map of the manufacturing unit
• Organogram of the factory

Additional Documents for foreign manufacturers:

• Appointment letter for authorised Indian Representative (AIR)
• Overseas factory documents, including layout, machines, and Quality Control set-up
• Undertaking and Affidavit as per BIS format

BIS Certification Process for Furniture and Electrical Appliances in Taiwan

The process of BIS Certification for Taiwanese manufacturers is generally a process of product assessment, factory assessment, testing, and approval under the relevant scheme. For products covered by FMCS, the following is a practical outline of the process.

Step 1: Application Submission

• Prepare the requisite technical and manufacturing documentation.
• Submit the BIS application and pay the relevant fees.
• Get an application number and go through the initial check.

Step 2: BIS Query Handling

BIS could raise queries about missing documentation or inconsistencies. The manufacturer would be expected to provide prompt clarifications.

Step 3: Factory Inspection

BIS officers visit the Taiwanese manufacturing facility to look at the production infrastructure, the quality control systems, the manufacturing processes, and the testing facilities.

Step 4: Product Sample Testing

• Collect and seal product samples.
• Test samples via the appropriate BIS-recognised laboratory arrangements.
• Submit the test reports to BIS for assessment.

Step 5: Grant of BIS Licence

Following satisfactory evaluation, the manufacturer pays the appropriate licence and marking fees, and BIS then issues the licence to use the ISI Mark within the scope approved.

Step 6: Indemnity Bond and Performance Bank Guarantee

Prior to licence issue the manufacturer must meet all applicable security requirements, which will include an indemnity bond from the Authorised Indian Representative and a USD 10,000 Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) where required under FMCS conditions.

Timeline for BIS Certification in Taiwan

The BIS certification timeline for foreign manufacturers will vary depending on the product category, the extent of documentation that’s already available, the scheduling of the factory inspection, and the sample testing requirements.

For Taiwanese furniture and electrical appliance manufacturers applying under the FMCS, the average certification time is around 5-6 months (this will, of course,e vary from case to case).

Key factors affecting the timeline include:

• Documentation preparation
• Application review
• Factory inspection
• Sample testing
• Final approval

Cost of BIS Certificate for Foreign Manufacturers

The cost of BIS certification for foreign manufacturers will be dependent on the product category, the extent of testing required, the cost of factory inspection, and the applicable BIS charges. For manufacturers in Taiwan, the total cost will be determined by the relevant Indian Standard and the certification scheme in force.

The following table sets out an estimated cost breakdown for foreign manufacturers applying under FMCS.

Benefits of BIS Certification for Taiwanese Manufacturers

Where certification is a requirement, it is a regulatory necessity to obtain the appropriate BIS approval in order to get access to the Indian market. It can also be of benefit to the business in terms of development.

• Regulatory readiness
• Market access
• Buyer confidence
• Quality consistency
• Distributor relationships
• Long-term market planning

These benefits depend on maintaining the licence and complying with its conditions. Certification should not be interpreted as automatic approval for every import or sale-related obligation.

How UMSPCS Helps with BIS Certification for Taiwanese Furniture and Electrical Appliance

For Taiwanese businesses, the first big compliance hurdle is often to work out which Indian requirements apply. UMSPCS helps manufacturers through the process of getting their products approved by BIS.

With 6+ years’ experience in compliance and having assisted with 600+ product compliance requirements across a range of industries, UMSPCS can provide the right level of support depending on the product and its intended market in India.

Our support may include:

• Product applicability assessment
• Documentation support
• Application preparation
• Factory-readiness guidance
• Testing coordination
• Query management
• Certification guidance

The breadth of assistance available will of course vary according to the product, the scheme in question, and the particular requirements of the case. BIS remains the authority for the assessment and granting of certification.

Conclusion

The need for BIS ISI certification depends on the product and the applicable regulatory requirements. If the product is covered by a mandatory QCO, then the manufacturer will need to obtain the requisite approval prior to placing it on the Indian market (subject to any applicable exemptions and provisions). Products outside of mandatory certification may still be subject to other Indian regulations.

The practical starting point is to get the right Indian Standard, check the most recent government notification, work out the correct certification route, and get the manufacturing facility and documentation all in order.

UMSPCS helps foreign manufacturers to understand the requirements and then to organise their compliance journey in a product-specific manner.

Planning to export furniture or electrical goods from Taiwan to India? 

Connect with UMSPCS to find out what BIS requirements your product has and what the next steps are to get it compliant for the Indian market.

Read more also: Step-by-Step Process to BIS Certification for LPG Rubber Hoses

FAQs

1. Is BIS ISI certification mandatory for Taiwanese manufacturers exporting to India?

It is mandatory when the product falls under a compulsory BIS certification requirement. The manufacturer should check the current QCO and applicable Indian Standard prior to export.

2. Can Taiwanese furniture manufacturers apply for BIS certification?

Yes, foreign manufacturers can apply for BIS certification where the product in question and the certification scheme allow. The requirement for certification is, of course, product-dependent.

3. Which BIS scheme applies to Taiwanese electrical appliance manufacturers?

The relevant scheme will depend on the product in question. Some appliances will be covered by FMCS, while certain notified electronics and IT products will be covered by CRS or another applicable scheme.

4. Can an Indian importer get BIS certification on behalf of a Taiwanese manufacturer?

Under FMCS, the application has to be made by the foreign manufacturer. An eligible Authorized Indian Representative must be nominated as per BIS requirements.

5. Is CE certification adequate for BIS certification in Taiwan?

No, the CE certification in itself will not replace the mandatory Indian BIS licence/registration. The product has to meet the applicable Indian requirements.

6. Can a single BIS licence cover multiple products and/or multiple factories in Taiwan?

Not automatically; BIS generally requires a separate application for each product/Indian Standard and each manufacturing location. The approved scope will determine what products are covered.