The product is technically ready for a launch into the market, it does not necessarily follow that the product is ready for sale in India. Before the production, importation, or distribution of any product in India, it is necessary for the manufacturer or importer to ascertain whether the product falls under the mandatory BIS certificate or registration requirements.
Some electrical and electronic products fall within the scope of BIS requirements, which are found under different conformity assessment schemes. It could be any of the schemes mentioned, namely, BIS Scheme-I, Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), Scheme-X, or any other scheme notified by the BIS. The BIS certification is voluntary for most of the products, but for certain products, the Government has made it compulsory by issuing Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and other notifications.
This guide will explain the meaning of BIS certification for electrical goods, its importance, who requires it, when it is compulsory, and how the relevant approval can be obtained by the manufacturer. UMSPCS helps Indian & foreign manufacturers in getting BIS Certification in a structured and effortless manner.
What is BIS Certification for Electrical Goods?
BIS Certification is a conformity assessment procedure through which products are assessed against the needs of relevant Indian Standards.
BIS does not have a single standard for all electrical goods. The standard applicable depends on the type of product, the type of specifications, and government notification.
Under various Indian Standards, the following are the compulsory items of electrical products certified by BIS: Electric wires and cables, Switches, Circuit breakers, Electrical meters, Lamps, Specified household electrical appliances.
Certain electronics and IT products follow the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) instead of the Scheme-I ISI Mark route.
Thus, it is crucial to select the right product category and Indian Standard as the first step towards compliance.
Why Does BIS Certification Matter for Electrical Goods?
Safety, performance, and reliability are directly related to electrical goods. A product that is not technically acceptable can pose a safety risk and also lead to regulatory and commercial issues.
Compliance with BIS CRS certification helps manufacturers to prove that their products comply with the relevant Indian Standard where the certification is required.
BIS certification can help manufacturers to:
- Comply with relevant regulations.
- Ensure compliance with Indian Standards.
- Boost customer and distributor trust.
- Improve product credibility.
- Assist with some of the institutional procurement needs.
- Implement quality-control measures in a systematic way.
- Prevent issues with the sale of regulated products without approval.
Who Needs BIS Certification for Electrical Goods?
The requirement is based on the product and regulatory regime.
It may apply to:
- Indian manufacturers.
- OEM and contract manufacturers.
- Manufacturers of regulated products for brand owners.
- Importers of electrical items are covered under this classification.
- Foreign Manufacturers supplying products regulated in India.
But not all electrical products are automatically required to be certified by BIS. Manufacturers need to determine if their specific product has a compulsory requirement.
Where is BIS Certification Required for Electrical Products?
The BIS Requirements are applicable to regulated products that are to be sold in the Indian market. There are a number of electrical categories that are subject to compulsory certification. In Scheme-I, BIS has included products like electrical cables, switches, circuit breakers, lamps, meters, household electrical appliances, etc., under the various product standards.
Some electronics and IT products are subject to CRS; some machinery and electrical equipment are subject to Scheme-X. Hence, it is important for the manufacturers not to take it for granted that any electrical product is certified by BIS following the same procedure.
When is BIS Certification Mandatory for Electrical Goods?
The Govt. will specify the products for compulsory certification for BIS certification or registration. The implementation date will vary according to the relevant QCO or notification. Manufacturers should consult the latest BIS list of compulsory certifications before introducing a new electrical product, especially when a new QCO has been issued with the effective date in the future.
Why Do Some BIS Applications Get Delayed?
A major cause of certification delays is that manufacturers start to apply without having prepared their technical and quality documents.
Common reasons include:
- Inappropriate Indian Standard identification.
- Incomplete technical documents.
- Product specifications do not conform to the standard.
- Inadequate testing arrangements.
- Missing calibration records.
- Failure of product testing.
- Lack of quality control.
- Factory not ready for assessment.
- Late responses to BIS observations.
For applicable Scheme-I certification, BIS assesses the manufacturer’s infrastructure, process controls, quality-control arrangements, and testing capabilities.
Complete BIS Certification Process for Electrical Goods
The process used will differ depending on the scheme to which the new building is subject. For the products that need to be certified in Scheme-I, the wide process is as follows:.
Step 1: Product Classification and Identification of Relevant Standard
This is the first step and the most critical part of the whole procedure, in which the identification of the Indian Standard code and the BIS Certification Scheme for the product is performed. This will help you classify the product in the correct category without any objections or rejection of your application.
Step 2: Document Preparation
Once the relevant standard for the product is identified, the preparation of all required documents is done by us. The required documents include technical specifications, manufacturing details, quality control, company registration and other related documents. Documentation is necessary to approve your application easily.
Step 3: Testing of Product in Approved BIS Laboratories
It is mandatory to test your product in an approved BIS laboratory to prove its conformance with Indian Standard. We collaborate with certified laboratories for testing and assist in testing of the product. Testing is a compulsory requirement for BIS CRS registration, ISI certification and other BIS schemes.
Step 4: BIS Application Submission
After obtaining the test report, we prepare the BIS application and then submit the same through the BIS website portal. All details are carefully cross-verified to ensure there are no mistakes while filing the BIS application.
Step 5: BIS Inspection/Audit
Where a certificate such as a BIS ISI certificate or BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers (FMCS) is sought, BIS is authorised to carry out audits. The process involves preparing manufacturers to meet the necessary requirements.
Step 6: Granting of BIS Certificate
Upon successful review of the application, test report, and inspection, the BIS certificate is then granted, allowing production of the product in India.
Documents Required for BIS Certification for Electrical Goods
Documentation will depend upon which certification programme you choose. Some of the basic documentation that will have to be provided includes:
- Company registration certificate
- GST and PAN number
- Technical specifications
- Process manufacturing details
- Testing reports
- Process documentation
- Quality control documents
- Letters of authorisation (from foreign manufacturers)
Cost of Getting BIS Certification for Electrical Goods
The cost of BIS Certification is based on several parameters, which include:
- Product category
- BIS Scheme Applicable
- Testing required
- Location of plant
- No. of variants of product
The BIS certification renewal process is as important as obtaining the BIS certification. To maintain their BIS Certification, the manufacturers need to adhere to all Indian Standards.
- The BIS CRS registration is valid for 5 years and can be renewed thereafter.
- BIS ISI License: Further ongoing surveillance and compliance required.
- FMCS Licence: Valid as per the BIS-issued guidelines and is Renewable and subject to compliance
How Can UMSPCS Help With BIS Certification for Electrical Goods?
The easier it is to manage the certification process, the more easily BIS certification can be handled once the correct standard and certification process have been identified at the outset, the process becomes easier.
UMSPCS provides support for:
- Product applicability assessment.
- Indian Standard identification.
- BIS scheme identification.
- Technical documentation.
- Laboratory coordination.
- Product testing support.
- BIS application filing.
- Factory inspection preparation.
- BIS query handling.
- Post-certification compliance guidance.
UMSPCS has helped manufacturers through the certification process with 600+ successful certifications and 6+ years of industry experience.
Conclusion
The BIS certification for Electrical Goods is not a single, universal certificate. The exact requirement is specified by the Indian Standard, QCO, product category, and conformity assessment scheme that are applicable.
Selected electrical products are classified under Scheme-I; certain notified electronics/IT products are categorised under CRS, and specified equipment may be classified under Scheme-X or other applicable schemes.
Therefore, manufacturers are advised to verify the product’s applicability before manufacturing, importing, or marketing regulated electrical products in India. Preparation of testing, documentation, and quality-control arrangements can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Need Help With BIS Certification for Electrical Goods?
UMSPCS can help determine the applicability of the product to Indian Standards, identify Indian Standards, conduct testing, document, assist with BIS application filing, support factory inspection, and post certification compliance.
Get in touch with our BIS experts to understand the requirements applicable to your electrical product.
Read more also: What It Takes to CDSCO Certification for Cardiovascular Devices
FAQs
- Is BIS certification mandatory for all electrical goods?
No. It only applies to products that have compulsory BIS requirements.
- Which BIS scheme applies to electrical products?
The scheme applicable to a specific product could be Scheme-I, CRS, Scheme-X or any other notified scheme.
- What is the first step in BIS certification?
The first step is to find out the applicable Indian Standard and check if the product falls under a mandatory requirement.
- Does BIS inspect the manufacturing unit?
In the case of Scheme-I certification, BIS evaluates the manufacturer’s production, quality control, and testing processes.
- Is there any need to have BIS certification for imported electrical items?
In case the imported item comes under the mandatory scope of BIS, then the corresponding requirements must be met.
- How will UMSPCS help in BIS certification?
UMSPCS will help in applicability evaluation, standards identification, testing, documentation, application submission, and inspection support.
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