Toys that have light-up features, moving parts, sound, or run on electricity might seem to be rather simple toys; however, toys contain electrical components that must be dealt with by toy manufacturers. For instance, such issues as heat generation, electric discharge, bad cabling, or defective parts might pose a danger to children and compromise toy safety.
According to this, it is important that the production, distribution, and sales of toys in India comply with the safety specifications set by the Bureau of Indian Standards. According to Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, the electric toys are obliged to have mandatory BIS Certification and observe the Indian Standard for being operative in India.
Manufacturers wanting to market electric toys in India should be familiar with the certification process to obtain BIS ISI certification for electric toys. One needs to determine the relevant standard, prepare the production and testing facilities, submit the application, test the product, and get a BIS license to get it done.
In this blog article, we set out the entire certification process, the regulatory requirements, the necessary documentation, the validity period, the timelines, and the other important points for both Indian and foreign manufacturers.
Understanding BIS ISI Certification for Electric Toys
The certification given by the Bureau of Indian Standards is known as BIS certification, which essentially is an evaluation procedure in which the Bureau of Indian Standards checks the conformity of a product with the respective Indian Standard.
In the case of electric toys, the particular standard that is applicable is as follows: IS 15644:2006 – Safety of Electric Toys.
As per the Bureau of Indian Standards, electric toys are those toys that have at least a single function which involves the use of electricity.
Examples include:
- Toy cars and trains that are operated by a battery
- Electronic musical toys
- Remote-controlled toys
- Interactive electronic dolls
- Battery-operated educational toys
- Electric toy robots
The certificate is issued pursuant to Scheme-I in Schedule-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, and after approval, the manufacturer is given a licence to use the ISI Standard Mark on the products that have been certified.
It is important that the licence is given to the manufacturer for particular manufacturing premises, not just for a trader, distributor, or brand owner.
Basic Requirements Before Applying for BIS Certification
Before starting the BIS Certification for Electric Toys, manufacturers should decide if their production facilities and products are ready for conformity assessment.
The important requirements include:
- Manufacturing facility
- Product conformity
- In-house testing facilities
- Quality control personnel
- Product identification
- Manufacturing premises
- Foreign manufacturer representation
Complete Process of BIS ISI Certification for Electric Toys
The process for obtaining BIS certification includes submitting an application, undergoing a technical assessment, having a factory inspection, and having the products tested. Below is how manufacturers can deal with this process.
Step 1: Identify the Relevant Indian Standard
Manufacturers should identify the relevant standard, IS 15644:2006 – Safety of Electric Toys, and make themselves familiar with its safety requirements.
- Look at the product’s design and its electrical components
- Identify applicable safety requirements
- It is necessary to make changes to the product or the manufacturing process
Step 2: Product Testing and Documentation
Electric toy samples have to be tested at a laboratory which is recognised by BIS, as is required by the certification procedure.
- Put together the product specifications and technical documents
- Gather information about factories and manufacturing
- Set up the necessary in-house testing facilities
Step 3: Application Submission
Manufacturers should make their applications via the BIS online portal together with the required documents and the relevant fees.
- Give us the information about the company and the factory
- Where required, submit the product specifications and test reports
- Fill in all the required application forms
Step 4: BIS Factory Inspection
The officials from the BIS visit the place where the goods are manufactured in order to assess the production capabilities and the quality control measures.
- Look at the machinery and the methods used in manufacturing
- Check the testing facilities and quality control systems
- Evaluate whether the manufacturer can keep the product in conformity
Step 5: Product Testing and Laboratory Report
The product samples are checked for compliance with the requirements of IS 15644:2006 and the relevant standards.
- Conduct prescribed safety tests
- Evaluate product conformity
- Send the laboratory report to BIS so that it can be assessed
Step 6: Closure of Non-Conformities
When an inspection or test reveals any discrepancies, the manufacturers have to carry out the necessary corrective actions.
- Rectify product defects
- Improve the methods used in manufacturing or in testing
- Send more documents or samples if needed
Step 7: Payment of Licence and Marking Fees
Once the manufacturers have met the certification requirements, they will have to pay the relevant BIS fees.
- Licence fee
- Annual minimum marking fee
- Applicable marking charges as per BIS norms
Step 8: Grant of BIS ISI Licence
Once the assessment, inspection, testing, and payment procedures have been successfully completed, the BIS will issue the licence.
- Get the BIS licence for the range of products that has been approved
- Apply the ISI Standard Mark in accordance with the licence conditions
- Make sure that the product quality is maintained and that ongoing compliance is kept up
Documents Required for BIS ISI Certification for Electric Toys
Documentation plays an important role in the BIS ISI Certification process in India, with specific requirements depending on the applicant’s manufacturing setup and the route taken for the application.
Commonly required documents and information include:
- Basic data of the manufacturing unit and the product segment
- For example, a title deed showing ownership or a utility bill as proof of the manufacturing unit’s address.
- 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 specifications
- 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 processing of an application and the factory assessment can be delayed if the documentation is incomplete or inconsistent.
Cost of BIS ISI Certification for Electric Toys
The amount one has to pay in order to get BIS ISI Certification for electric toys is determined by a number of factors, such as the kind of electric toy, the relevant Indian Standards, the need for laboratory testing, the manufacturing facilities, and the documentation required. The total cost will also differ according to whether the applicant is an Indian or a foreign manufacturer.
The table below gives an approximate breakdown of the costs for general planning purposes; however, these figures must not be regarded as the official BIS fee schedule for the certification of electric toys.
| Particulars | Estimated Cost (INR) |
| BIS Application Fees | ₹1,000 |
| Laboratory Testing Charges | ₹15,000 – ₹2,50,000 |
| Factory Inspection Charges | ₹7,000 |
| Annual Licence Fees | ₹1,000 |
| ISI Marking Fees | As per BIS norms and production |
| UMSPCS Consultancy Charges | ₹50,000 |
The precise amount of the certification fee can only be found once the relevant standards, testing requirements, the specific product models, and the certification pathway have been identified. Manufacturers from abroad will have to pay extra costs associated with inspections of their overseas factories, travel, and other FMCS Certification formalities.
Estimated Timeline and Validity of BIS ISI Certification
The time needed to get BIS ISI Certification for electric toys is determined by how ready the documentation is, the results of the laboratory testing, the factory inspection, and the settlement of any objections raised by BIS.
- The estimated timeline is that the certification process could take about 30 to 40 working days, depending on the application and on the completion of all the requirements.
- Extra time may be needed because of failed product testing, incomplete documentation, observations from factory inspections, or further compliance requirements.
- The applications for foreign manufacturers may take longer due to the overseas factory inspections and the related arrangements.
Common Challenges in Obtaining BIS Certification for Electric Toys
Even though the necessary manufacturing facilities are available, applicants could encounter some difficulties when going through the certification process.
- Incorrect standard selection
- Inadequate testing facilities
- Product testing failures
- Incomplete documentation
- Model and SKU confusion
- Factory inspection discrepancies
- Delayed responses to BIS queries
An important point is product grouping. It is not necessary for BIS to test each model or SKU separately, since the product manual includes grouping guidelines according to which representative models can be chosen for testing, on condition that the prescribed conditions are met.
They should therefore make sure that their product range is properly classified before doing so.
How UMSPCS Helps with BIS ISI Certification for Electric Toys
To get BIS Certification in India, it is necessary to co-ordinate technical documentation, product testing, manufacturing readiness, and regulatory procedures, and a lack of adequate compliance knowledge when managing these activities can lead to unnecessary delays.
UMSPCS assists businesses in meeting product certification requirements by using a structured method, drawing on the compliance experience of 6+ years of its staff and their knowledge of more than 600 product compliance requirements across a number of industries.
We offer full-scale assistance to manufacturers in India as well as those based overseas who wish to obtain BIS certification for their products.
Our support includes:
- Standard Identification
- Documentation Assistance
- Testing Coordination
- Factory Readiness
- Application Support
- Inspection Assistance
- FMCS Support
Conclusion
Getting BIS ISI Certification for electric toys entails much more than just filling in an application form. The producers must verify that their products follow the IS 15644:2006 regulations, construct the necessary testing facilities, maintain requisite files and documents, and execute the inspections and product tests as prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
Whether you are an electrical toy manufacturer based in India intending to introduce a new series of toys or an overseas producer aiming to enter the Indian market with a product, it will be extremely useful to know in advance about the requirements for this certification.
Contact an expert from the UMSPCS office concerning any questions related to BIS certification, coordinating product testing, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
Read more also: Can Irish Manufacturers Sell Furniture and Electricals in India Without BIS
FAQs
- Is it necessary to have BIS ISI Certification for electric toys in India?
Yes, according to the Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, electric toys which are within the scope of the order must comply with the relevant Indian Standards and be marked with the BIS Standard Mark under an authorised licence, with the applicable exemptions.
- Is it possible for an importer to apply for BIS ISI Certification for electric toys?
The BIS licence obtained via the regular Scheme-I route is awarded to the manufacturer, not just to an importer or distributor, and foreign manufacturers have to apply through the relevant FMCS procedure.
- Does the BIS certification differ for Indian and foreign manufacturers of electric toys?
Indian manufacturers usually apply via Manakonline, while those based overseas use the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).
- Does the BIS inspect the manufacturing plant before issuing an electric toy licence?
Factory inspection does form a vital element of the prescribed certification procedure. The BIS examines the manufacturing facilities, the quality control measures, and the testing capabilities.
- Do manufacturers need separate BIS licences for each of their factory locations?
BIS certification is in fact granted for a particular manufacturing site and, in order to obtain it, separate applications must be submitted for each individual manufacturing unit.
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