Does Every Steel and Iron Product Need BIS Certification?

Steel is used in all sorts of areas, such as in building and infrastructure, in automobiles, in machinery, in engineering components, and in industrial applications. Yet does that imply that every steel or iron product sold or imported into India requires a BIS licence? Not necessarily.

The scheme BIS Certification for steel and iron products is voluntary, but the Central Government has the power to make certification compulsory for certain products by means of Quality Control Orders (QCOs). When a product is the subject of a QCO, manufacturers and the relevant importers have to comply with the specified Indian Standard and the certification requirements if they are to legally supply the product in the Indian market.

It is especially important for companies that are involved in steel and steel products since the regulatory list is comprehensive and is constantly being updated. Hence, they should not think that a product is either automatically exempt or automatically covered and must carry out a product-by-product evaluation based on the relevant Indian Standard (IS), QCO, product description, grade, and the present enforcement status.

Is It Necessary for Every Product Made from Steel and Iron to Have BIS Certification?

It is not necessary for every product made from steel or iron to have the BIS Standard Mark.

The BIS makes it clear that certification is usually voluntary except when the Central Government makes compliance mandatory by means of a QCO or some other legal instrument. In the case of a product that is subject to compulsory certification, the manufacturer has to secure the appropriate BIS licence or conformity approval and must adhere to the relevant requirements.

The main regulatory framework for steel is the Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order of 2024, together with any later amendments and exemptions. According to the present information from the Ministry of Steel, 151 Indian Standards have been issued under the steel QCO framework, including standards relating to carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel products.

When Is BIS Certification Needed?

Before starting a BIS Certification for Steel and Iron Products, businesses should check four important factors:

• Product Type
• Applicable Indian Standard
• QCO Coverage
• Current Exemptions or Amendments

As a result, making use of an old QCO list may lead to the wrong compliance decision.

What Subject Area Does the Steel QCO Framework Include?

The Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order of 2024 covers the steel and steel products listed in its schedules and mandates that the products in question shall comply with the relevant Indian Standards. Moreover, the Order includes provisions relating to its applicability and the specified exclusions, such as certain domestically manufactured products which are made for export in accordance with foreign buyers’ specifications.

The Ministry of Steel states that the aim of the QCO framework is to prevent the production of steel products that are sub-standard or defective and to make sure that the steel supplied to users complies with the appropriate BIS standards.

It doesn’t just depend on the material in question being ‘steel’; the exact product description, standard, grade, application, manufacturing process, and the relevant QCO provisions all have to be taken into account.

Documents Required for BIS Certification for Steel and Iron Products

The specific documents will depend on the product and the relevant Indian Standard. However, a typical application might require:

• 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 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 BIS requires manufacturers to have the manufacturing infrastructure, process controls, quality control, and testing capabilities that correspond to the relevant Indian Standard.

What is the Procedure for Obtaining BIS Certification for Steel Products?

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

• Find the appropriate IS code and product requirements.
• Look at the most recent QCO and the amendments.
• Make sure that the product complies with the relevant BIS standard.

Step 2: Product Testing & Documentation

• Test product samples according to the relevant IS code.
• Draw up the technical, manufacturing, and quality-control documents.
• Prepare a list containing the details of the factory and the testing facility.

Step 3: Submit BIS Application

• Fill out the application online together with the necessary documents and pay the fees.
• The BIS examines the application and the supporting information.

Step 4: BIS Factory Inspection

• The BIS examines the manufacturing process, the quality control measures, and the testing facilities.
• Testing may involve the collection of samples.

Step 5: Sample Testing

• The samples are tested in accordance with the relevant Indian Standard.
• The submission of test reports is made for the purpose of having them assessed by BIS.

Step 6: Close Non-Conformities

• Make a response to any comments or shortcomings pointed out by BIS.
• Where necessary, submit the corrective documents or carry out retesting

Step 7: Pay Licence & Marking Fees

• Pay the licence and marking fees that apply.
• The requirements for using the ISI Mark must be fulfilled.

Step 8: Grant of BIS Licence

• Once the assessment, testing, and compliance have been completed, BIS awards the licence.
• The manufacturer may use the BIS Standard Mark within the scope that has been approved.

BIS ISI Certification Fees for Steel and Iron Products

The cost of obtaining BIS ISI Certification for steel and iron products will depend on the product category, the relevant Indian Standard, the testing needed, the factory assessment, the documentation provided, and the scope of the certification.

Extra charges might be incurred for the transportation of samples, retesting, calibration, documentation, or for other requirements specific to the product. It is therefore necessary to determine the actual cost following a review of the relevant Indian Standard and QCO requirements.

Estimated Timeline and Validity of BIS ISI Certification for Steel and Iron Product

The duration required to receive a BIS ISI Certification for steel and iron products is contingent on the fitness of the application, the outcome of the product examination, the factory inspection, the documentation process, and any comments made by the BIS.

• Expected duration: 30 – 40 days
• Products with additional investigation or process: May take more time, up to a maximum of 180 days
• Certificate’s lifespan: Usually up to 5 years, depending on the conditions set by BIS

Producers must take action to renew the license before it expires in order to maintain compliance and keep on using the BIS Standard Mark in their production process.

Common Challenges in BIS Certification for Steel Products

Getting a BIS licence can be difficult if manufacturers do not first check the requirements specific to their product.

Common challenges include:

• Selecting the wrong Indian Standard
• Misinterpreting QCO applicability
• Not checking recent QCO amendments
• Inadequate testing facilities
• Missing or uncalibrated testing equipment
• Incomplete manufacturing documentation
• Poorly documented quality-control procedures
• Product test failures

What Attracts You to Choosing UMSPCS for BIS certification Steel and Iron Product?

At UMSPCS, we realise that the first thing to do is to decide whether or not certification is really required.

We have gained experience in the field of compliance spanning more than six years and have provided support in relation to over 600 product compliance requirements, offering help tailored to specific products for manufacturers and companies that are involved with steel and steel products.

Our support can include:

• Product and IS Code identification
• QCO applicability assessment
• Review of current amendments and exemptions
• Documentation and application support
• Factory-readiness assessment
• Testing and laboratory coordination
• Quality-control documentation support
• Assistance with BIS queries
• Inspection and certification coordination
• Licence-related and post-certification support

For Indian manufacturers, our method involves getting the factory ready, preparing the documentation, making arrangements for testing, and dealing with the application before the submission is made so that any compliance gaps which could have been avoided can be spotted early. Read more also: BIS ISI Mark Certification for Indian Manufacture.

Conclusion

The requirement must be based on the specific Quality Control Order relevant to the product and if it is still applicable, as well as if the product is compliant with the relevant Indian Standard. Since Quality Control Orders in the field of steel are regularly updated and some standards may even be postponed or exempted, it is advisable to verify the latest legal position.

In the interests of safety, it is best for manufacturers, exporters, importers, and suppliers to verify the requirements regarding the product based on the specifics of that product’s specifications rather than to make general assumptions based solely on its being made of iron or steel. 

Also get to know more information about BIS Certificate for Foreign Manufacture.

What about planning for BIS Certification of steel and iron products? 

Connect with UMSPCS to have a product-specific assessment carried out and to obtain clear information on the relevant IS code, QCO, documents, testing, and certification requirements.

Read more also: French Furniture and Electrical Appliances BIS Compliant for India

FAQs

1. Is it necessary for every steel product in India to have BIS certification?

BIS certification is normally voluntary unless the Central Government has made it compulsory for that particular product by means of a QCO.

2. What is the way of checking whether my steel product needs to have BIS certification?

You need to determine the specific product, the grade, the relevant IS code, and then check the current QCO and enforcement status; UMSPCS can provide help with this assessment relating to the specific product.

3. What constitutes the BIS ISI Certification for manufacturers in India?

The method by which eligible manufacturers show that they conform to the relevant Indian Standard and thus get a licence to use the Standard Mark is the BIS product certification route.

4. What is the primary quality control objective for steel products?

The present Quality Control Order, 2024 is the main framework for the QCO, provided that it is subsequently amended, exempted, and subject to changes in enforcement.

5. Does the BIS certification extend to imported steel products?

An imported steel product has to satisfy the relevant BIS requirements before it is supplied in India if it is subject to a mandatory QCO. The Ministry of Steel also has particular provisions and exemptions which need to be checked for the product in question.

6. What would occur if a quality control organisation insured a steel product but lacked the necessary BIS certification?

A manufacturer or supplier must not regard a mandatory QCO requirement as being optional; the product has to satisfy the relevant conformity and marking requirements if it is to be supplied in the regulated market.