What Power Bank Brands Need for BIS Registration in India

India’s increasing reliance on smartphones, tablets, wireless accessories, and the like has made the power bank a real necessity. For any brand looking to get into the market, having a high-capacity battery, fast charging, and good value is not the only requirement. The importance of regulatory compliance holds true before manufacturing, importing, and selling in India.

Nowadays, power banks come under the scope of the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for the Government of India, managed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Therefore, if any manufacturer (both local and international) wants to make the covered product available in the Indian market, he must prove conformity with the Indian Standard and obtain BIS registration.

Then, what steps must be taken by a power bank brand in order to comply? From product testing to manufacturer registration and labeling requirements, comprehensive knowledge about the procedure of BIS CRS for power banks is of absolute necessity if you wish to enter the market successfully.

Why Is BIS Registration a Mandatory Requirement for Power Bank Brands?

It goes without saying that power banks are made up of rechargeable batteries and electronic charging circuits. Consequently, they require certain precautions. Additionally, poor-quality products might lead to overheating, electrical shock, short circuits, and even fires.

In order to address these issues, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has listed power banks intended for portable use under the E&IT Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order.

Within this scheme, manufacturers have to:

• Ensure their power banks comply with the corresponding Indian Standard.
• Have the product tested in a BIS-accredited lab.
• Obtain BIS registration under the name of the manufacturer.
• Apply the authorized BIS Standard Mark and registration number.
• Comply with specifications of the registered product.

The registration is of the manufacturer and is related to the manufacturing location, the product, and the brand. Importers or distributors cannot rely on their supplier’s registration instead of their own compliance.

What Should Manufacturers Meet Before Applying for BIS CRS Certification?

Before applying for BIS CRS certification for power bank brands need to evaluate their manufacturing process, product design, and compliance documentation.

The essential requirements include:

• Applicable Indian Standard
• Manufacturing Facility
• Product Safety
• Brand and Model Identification
• BIS-Recognised Laboratory Testing
• Manufacturer’s Undertaking

How Does the BIS CRS Certification for Electronic Products Work?

The registration process is via Scheme II of Schedule II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Step 1: Online Registration on the BIS CRS Portal

The manufacturer must first register on the official BIS CRS portal to get their login credentials and kick off the registration process.

• Go to the official BIS CRS portal and complete the manufacturer’s sign-up.
• Enter the required company and manufacturing unit details.
• Complete the initial registration formalities to get your login details.

Step 2: Product Testing at a BIS-Recognised Laboratory

The manufacturer shall submit the power bank sample to a BIS-recognised laboratory for testing in accordance with the relevant Indian Standard, IS/IEC 62368-1:2023.

• Generate a test request via the CRS portal.
• Choose a BIS-recognised laboratory and submit the requisite product samples.
• Carry out the required safety tests and get the lab test report.

Step 3: Submission of the CRS Application

Following the successful test report, the manufacturer will need to submit the formal BIS CRS registration application along with the requisite supporting documentation.

• Make sure the test report is submitted within the stipulated time (normally 90 days from the date of issue).

• Upload the requisite technical, product, and manufacturer documentation.
• Check the brand, model, ratings, and the manufacturing unit.
• Pay the relevant BIS registration fees.

Step 4: BIS Application Review and Verification

The BIS looks at the application, the laboratory test report, and all the supporting documentation to ensure that the product is in compliance with the relevant registration requirements.

• Respond to any questions or requests for clarification raised by the BIS.
• Provide further information or amended documents where necessary.
• Resolve the discrepancies to make sure the application meets the specification.

Step 5: Grant of BIS CRS Registration

Once BIS is happy with the test report and the application and all the supporting documents, it will grant CRS registration for the power bank.

• The manufacturer gets a unique BIS registration number (R number).
• The manufacturer must ensure that the appropriate BIS Standard Mark and R-number are correctly displayed on the product and on the packaging, as applicable.
• The registered product can then be marketed in India in accordance with the relevant BIS requirements.

Which Documents are Required for Power Bank Registration?

Documentation is a key part of the BIS certification in India as it establishes the manufacturer’s name, the place of manufacture, the product specification, and the conformity.

The usual document checklist includes:

• Business Registration Certificate – Proof of company incorporation or legal entity
• Product Details & Specifications – Complete technical information of the product
• Test Reports – Issued by BIS-recognized labs confirming compliance
• Trademark Certificate – Proof of brand ownership (if applicable)
• Authorization Letter – For authorized signatory or representative
• AIR Documents – Mandatory for foreign manufacturers appointing an Authorized Indian Representative

How can Foreign Power Bank Brands Get BIS certification?

Any overseas brand looking to sell power banks in India is subject to the same CRS requirements as any domestic manufacturer. There is no such thing as BIS certification for foreign manufacturers that exempts them from the need for product testing and registration.

Any foreign manufacturer without an office (liaison or branch) in India must appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) as per BIS requirements.

The AIR is the authorised Indian contact for regulatory communication and for the relevant registration responsibilities.

Foreign manufacturers should ensure that:

• Their manufacturing facility has the requisite government-issued registration documents.
• The factory name and address are exactly as stated on the application.
• The AIR nomination is in the prescribed BIS format.
• The required affidavit-cum-undertaking is hereby submitted.
• Product testing is carried out at an eligible BIS-recognised laboratory.
• Brand and model information is the same in all the documents.

A very important point is that BIS registration for foreign manufacturer is granted to the manufacturer, not to the overseas brand owner, not to the importer, and not to the Indian distributor.

BIS CRS Certification Cost for Power Banks

The cost of BIS CRS Certification for Power Banks depends on several factors, including:

• Product category and applicable Indian Standard (IS/IEC 62368-1:2023).
• Laboratory testing requirements.
• Number of models or product variants.
• Technical documentation and compliance.
• Lab charges and applicable BIS government fees.
  

The final cost will, of course, vary depending on the power bank configuration, the amount of testing required, the number of models, and any additional compliance requirements. These are indicative costs only and will need to be confirmed once the specific product has been assessed.

BIS CRS Certification Timeline in India

The process of BIS CRS certification for power banks generally takes 20 – 30 working days. That’s assuming there are no major delays in the documentation, sample submission, lab testing, and application assessment.

The actual timeline will, of course, vary depending on lab availability, product test results, the completeness of the documentation, and the time it takes BIS to review the application. Further time may be required if testing issues or regulatory queries come up.

What Challenges Can Delay Power Bank Registration?

Even if the manufacturer has a product that is technically sound, there can be various compliance issues which will impact the registration timescale.

• Incorrect standard identification
• Testing failures
• Documentation inconsistencies
• Multiple manufacturing locations
• Foreign manufacturer coordination
• Standard revisions

Addressing these issues prior to submission will go a long way to preventing unnecessary delays and additional compliance costs. Read more also: BIS CRS Certification for Adapters Household & Similar Electricals

How UMSPCS Helps Power Bank Manufacturers Secure BIS Registration

To get into the Indian electronics market, you need to coordinate product engineering, lab testing, documentation, and the various regulatory authorities. It can be a real pain to do it without any real knowledge of the compliance side of things, especially if you’re an overseas manufacturer.

With 6+ years’ experience in compliance and exposure to over 600 product compliance requirements across a wide range of industries, UMSPCS helps manufacturers get a far clearer and more confident understanding of the regulatory process.

Our support includes:

• Identifying the relevant Indian Standard and the registration requirements.
• Reviewing the product specs and technical documentation.
• Coordinating product testing with BIS-recognised laboratories.
• Assisting with brand, model, and manufacturing unit documentation.
• Supporting foreign manufacturers with the relevant AIR formalities.
• Preparing and submitting BIS CRS applications.
• Assistance with responses to regulatory questions.
• Guiding model inclusion, labelling, renewal, and ongoing compliance.

Conclusion

India is a massive opportunity for power bank manufacturers, but you absolutely have to have the regulatory house in order before you go commercial. You need to know which Indian Standard you’re dealing with; you need to do the lab testing; you need to have the documentation all in order and you need to have BIS CRS registration. That’s all essential if you’re going to be able to get into the Indian market.

Whether you’re an Indian manufacturer bringing out a new power bank or an overseas brand looking to enter the Indian market, having the right compliance strategy in place can go a long way to making the registration process less onerous.

Work with UMSPCS for expert advice on BIS registration. Book your FREE consultation today!

Read more also: How Does BIS ISI Certificate Open for UAE Furniture & Electricals

FAQs

1. Is BIS registration compulsory for power banks in India?

Yes, power banks that are covered under the Electronics and IT Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order will need to have BIS CRS registration prior to entry into the Indian market.

2. Can a foreign manufacturer apply for BIS CRS registration?

Yes, overseas manufacturers can apply directly under CRS and will have to appoint an AIR if they don’t have an eligible liaison or branch office in India.

3. Can an Indian importer get BIS registration in place of the manufacturer?

No, CRS registration is issued to the manufacturer and is tied to the manufacturer’s location, product, and brand.

4. Is laboratory testing mandatory for power bank registration?

Yes, the manufacturer will have to get a valid test report from a BIS-recognised laboratory for the relevant Indian Standard.

5. Can multiple power bank models be covered under a single BIS registration?

Yes, additional models of the same product and brand may be included under an existing registration (of course, eligible models) in accordance with the BIS series guidelines and approval requirements.

6. Does a power bank incorporating a Li-ion battery require separate BIS registration?

The applicability is dependent on the battery and product configuration. Batteries and cells covered under IS 16046 have their own separate registration requirements. MeitY has a specific classification for power banks based on the internal circuitry.