How Can I Find a BIS Consultant for My Business? A Complete Guide

Perhaps your product is ready for the Indian market, but has your BIS compliance been addressed as well?

In most instances for manufacturers and importers, the process of acquiring BIS certification begins with a simple question: “What BIS certification do I have to get for my product?” However, the answer to this question may involve determining the right Indian Standard to utilize, selecting the right certification scheme, arranging for testing, preparing technical documents, completing the application process, responding to questions, and ensuring ongoing compliance with the certification once it has been obtained.

That is the reason why it is important to select the right BIS Consultant in India as part of your compliance strategy; since a knowledgeable consultant will assist you in understanding the relevant requirements and in carrying out the certification process in a more systematic way.

Yet since so many service providers claim to provide BIS assistance, how are you supposed to find the right BIS Certification Consultant for your business? Let’s examine it in more detail.

Start by Identifying the BIS Certification Route You Need

The very first thing to do isn’t to select a consultant but to understand the requirements of your product.

The requirements for BIS certification depend on the product, the Indian Standard, the place of manufacturing, and the conformity assessment scheme in question.

BIS ISI Certification for Indian Manufacturers

Indian manufacturers whose products are subject to the applicable BIS certification requirements may be required to obtain a licence in order to use the BIS Standard Mark.

With Scheme-I, the BIS assesses the manufacturing infrastructure, the process controls, the quality-control arrangements and the testing capabilities, as well as product conformity by means of the prescribed testing, and applications are made online via the BIS portal.

Any business which wishes to obtain BIS ISI Certification for Indian manufacturers should choose a consultant who knows both the appropriate Indian Standard and the certification requirements specific to the product.

BIS CRS Certification for Electronic Products

The electronics and IT items that are included in the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) are dealt with in a different manner.

CRS is governed by Scheme-II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, and manufacturers of products that have been notified are required to get their registration on the basis of compliance with the relevant Indian Standard and the prescribed requirements.

A consultant who is carrying out BIS CRS Certification for Electronic Products should therefore have an understanding of product testing, test reports, model details, brand documentation and the requirements for the CRS application.

BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers may apply, under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), for products which conform to the relevant Indian Standards and for which eligibility is established. The BIS requires overseas manufacturers to have suitable manufacturing facilities, testing facilities, and competent personnel.

For foreign manufacturers who need BIS Certification, you should select a consultant who has experience in overseas factory documentation, AIR requirements, testing, and dealing with BIS.

What Then Should You Look for in Consultants Who Carry Out BIS Certification?

When hiring a consultant, it is important to consider a number of factors since they should go beyond simply filing an application.

• Product-Specific Experience
• Knowledge of Indian Standards
• Testing and Laboratory Support
• Documentation Expertise
• Application and Query Support
• Post-Certification Assistance

Documents Required by BIS Consultants

The exact documents depend on the product and scheme, but commonly required information may include:

• A certificate of registration for the company and a GST certificate
• Address proof, the layout plan, and the list of the machinery for the factory
• Product specifications, technical drawings, and process flowchart
• A test report produced by a laboratory which is recognized by either the BIS or the NABL
• Authorised signatory letter, Quality control documents
• Manufacturers from overseas AIR appointment letters

With regard to CRS applications, BIS places particular emphasis on ensuring that the details from the manufacturing unit match those of the product name, the test report, the brand information, and the relevant representative documentation.

The BIS Certification Process: From Product to Approval

Although the exact procedure varies, a consultant generally helps coordinate the following stages:

Step 1: Product Assessment

The process begins with a review of the product, its specifications, the place where it is manufactured, and the relevant regulations in order to find out if BIS certification or registration is required.

Step 2: Identify the Indian Standard

The Indian Standard (IS) in question is determined by the product category and its technical specifications; this standard then sets out the necessary testing and compliance requirements.

Step 3: Select the BIS Scheme

The correct certification route should be chosen, for example, BIS ISI Certification, BIS CRS Registration, or FMCS for eligible foreign manufacturers.

Step 4: Prepare Documents and Testing

The necessary technical and legal documents are prepared, and the product samples are tested at any BIS-recognised laboratory where testing is required.

Step 5: Submit the Application

The BIS application is prepared, and the documentation and testing are completed before it is submitted via the appropriate online portal together with the necessary supporting documents.

Step 6: BIS Review and Query Resolution

The BIS will examine the application and might carry out an inspection or pose questions; the applicant then has to provide the necessary clarifications or documents in order to move forward.

Step 7: Grant of Certification

When the various requirements in question have been met, BIS will issue the licence or registration and thus enable the business to comply with the specified marking and compliance requirements.

Step 8: Post-Certification Compliance

Once it has been certified, businesses might have to deal with renewal, surveillance, testing, changes to the scope, and other continuing BIS requirements.

BIS Consultancy Fees in India 

The entire amount that BIS Consultancy charges will depend on the product category, the relevant Indian Standard, the testing requirements, the factory assessment, the documentation, and the consultancy support. A typical cost structure could be:

The exact cost will depend on the product and on the relevant BIS requirements.

Timeline for BIS Consultancy

The total duration of the BIS consultancy process will vary according to the complexity of the product, the testing required, the readiness of the documentation, and the factory inspection. A typical procedure might take:

• Documentation & preparation: 7 – 10 days
• Product testing: 10 – 15 days
• Factory inspection: 5 – 10 days
• Final BIS processing/approval: 7 – 10 days

Hence, the total timeline should be approximately between 4 and 7 weeks, depending on the availability of the laboratory, the success of the testing, and how promptly the BIS queries are dealt with.

BIS Legal Framework and Guidelines

The BIS certification is based on a well-defined regulatory framework, which consists of:

• Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016

• BIS Rules, 2018
• BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations
• Applicable Quality Control Orders
• Relevant Indian Standards
• Product-specific manuals and guidelines

The BIS makes available on its official website the Act, the Rules, and the Conformity Assessment Regulations, together with guidance that is specific to each scheme.

Businesses have to satisfy the specified requirements before putting products on the Indian market if the products are subject to compulsory certification by means of the relevant government notifications or QCOs.

Common Challenges Without Professional BIS Support

Businesses can encounter avoidable problems when certification is approached without adequate planning, such as:

• Incorrect IS number identification
• Wrong certification scheme
• Incomplete documents
• Test-report discrepancies
• Incorrect product or model details
• Inadequate testing facilities
• Delayed responses to BIS queries
• Failure to monitor regulatory changes
• Problems with foreign-manufacturer/AIR documentation

Such problems can have an impact on both the cost and the schedule of the certification.

How UMSPCS Can Help With BIS Certification

We at UMSPCS assist manufacturers, importers, and foreign companies in meeting the various BIS compliance requirements.

Our method starts by getting a good understanding of the product and then determining the right compliance pathway, since the team has more than 6 years of experience in compliance and has provided support for over 600 product compliance requirements.

Our support includes:

• BIS applicability assessment
• Indian Standard identification
• BIS scheme selection
• Documentation support
• Laboratory coordination
• Application preparation and filing
• BIS query support
• Factory inspection preparation
• AIR-related assistance
• Renewal and post-certification support

Conclusion

Choosing the right BIS Certification Consultants will enable you to deal with the certification process more clearly, from determining which Indian Standard applies to carrying out the testing, preparing the documentation, putting the system into use, and ensuring continued compliance.

If you need BIS ISI Certification for Indian manufacturers, BIS CRS Certification for electronic products, or BIS Certification for foreign manufacturers, it is important to take the first step by choosing a consultant who has relevant experience with the products and the schemes.

Are you planning to get your product BIS certified?

Contact UMSPCS now if you would like to discuss your product, the applicable BIS requirements, the necessary documentation, testing, and the certification pathway.

Read more also: BIS Certification in Canada for Furniture & Electrical Products

FAQs

1. How can I get in touch with a BIS Consultant in India?

Seek out experience specifically related to the product, knowledge of the Indian Standards, assistance with testing, expertise in documentation, and experience in relation to the appropriate BIS scheme.

2. Is it necessary to hire a BIS consultant?

Businesses may apply directly to BIS where this is allowed. A consultant can offer professional assistance with the technical and procedural requirements.

3. Is it possible for a consultant to identify the correct IS number?

Yes, a consultant is able to examine the product specifications and assist in identifying those that correspond to the appropriate Indian Standard.

4. Are BIS consultants capable of obtaining CRS certification?

It is true that consultants can provide help with testing, with the preparation of documentation, with submitting applications, and with resolving queries concerning eligible CRS products.

5. Is it possible for foreign manufacturers to obtain BIS certification?

Foreign manufacturers who are eligible may apply under the relevant BIS schemes such as FMCS, provided that the prescribed requirements are met.

6. Is it necessary for every product to have BIS certification?

The requirements vary according to the relevant regulations and government notifications; products that are subject to mandatory certification requirements must meet the applicable provisions.