How Does a BIS Consultant in India Help You Get BIS Certification?

Obtaining a BIS certificate is not merely about completing an application and waiting for approval. The actual difficulties for a manufacturer happen even before an application is made. It concerns defining the Indian Standard, understanding the certification system used, preparing technical documentation, carrying out tests, fulfilling factory requirements, and reacting appropriately to BIS inquiries.

This is where a BIS consultant in India can help make the process easier and more organized. If you are an Indian manufacturer who wishes to get BIS Certification for Indian Manufacturers or a foreign company that is seeking to obtain BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers, professional compliance assistance can help to reduce mistakes in the documentation, delays in testing, and procedural difficulties.

In the blog, we outline the role of a BIS consultant, who should obtain BIS certification, the relevant legal framework, the requirements, the necessary documents, the procedure, the timelines, the validity period, the common difficulties, and the way in which UMSPCS can assist manufacturers from the stage of applying through to certification.

Defining BIS Certification and Its Importance

The Bureau of Indian Standards, popularly known as BIS, is an Indian national standards body established by the BIS Act in 2016. The mission of the bureau comprises standardisation, testing, certification, and conformity assessment to improve the quality standards and safety of the products

Usually, obtaining BIS certification is voluntary; at the same time, the Central Government can define obligatory compliance for some products through the so-called Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and other notifications. Thus, in relation to such products, producers need to obtain a BIS licence or a Certificate of Conformity prior to the beginning of the manufacturing, importing and sale of the respective products in India.

The first question to be answered is “Does my product need BIS certification?” and, if yes, which BIS scheme and Indian Standard is to be used?

A BIS Certification Consultant who is professional will answer this question before the application process starts.

Which of the BIS Certification Schemes Applies to Your Product?

Depending on the product and the relevant regulatory requirements, the BIS carries out different conformity assessment schemes.

The BIS supplies information that is specific to each product, together with the relevant product manuals, the requirements for inspection and testing, and the guidelines that are particular to each scheme.

A BIS consultant in India therefore begins by carrying out product and regulatory mapping rather than immediately submitting an application.

How Does a BIS Consultant Assist? The full Journey

The consultant’s function is not to take the place of BIS since BIS remains the body in charge of carrying out the assessment and issuing the licence or certificate. The consultant assists the manufacturer in understanding the requirements and in managing the compliance process.

1. Identification of the product and the Indian Standard

The first thing to do is to identify the relevant Indian Standard (IS). This may involve checking:

• Product description and specifications
• Intended use
• Product variants/models
• Materials and components
• Manufacturing process
• Applicable QCOs
• Relevant product-specific BIS guidelines
• Applicable conformity assessment scheme

This stage is important since carrying out the assessment under the wrong standard might lead to excessive testing, queries, or rejection.

2. The applicability of BIS and the regulatory assessment

A BIS Certification Consultant assesses whether certification is:

• Mandatory under a QCO
• Required under another applicable regulation
• Voluntary but commercially beneficial
• Covered under CRS, ISI, Scheme-IV, Scheme-X or another applicable framework

The BIS has confirmed that products which are subject to compulsory certification are made subject to this requirement by the Central Government via the appropriate regulatory notifications.

This means that regulatory assessment is one of the key services provided by a BIS Compliance Consultant in India.

3. Testing and Laboratory Coordination

Product conformity should be determined in accordance with the relevant Indian Standard and certification requirements.

Depending on the scheme and product, conformity may involve:

• Product testing
• Factory testing
• Third-party laboratory testing
• Inspection
• Quality control assessment
• Process evaluation

The BIS says that the licensing assessment takes into account the manufacturing infrastructure, the process controls, the quality control measures, and the testing capabilities, and that conformity of the product is established by means of testing in a recognised laboratory, testing at the manufacturing site, or a combination of these, as may be applicable.

A consultant can assist with:

• Identifying applicable tests
• Preparing samples
• Coordinating with laboratories
• Reviewing test reports
• Tracking testing status
• Identifying gaps before submission

Documents Required for BIS Certification

To submit a BIS application, you need to provide more than just the standard company documents; the specific requirements depend on the product, scheme, and manufacturer.

Typical documentation may include:

• Certificate of Registration of Company
• GST/PAN Number
• Technical Specifications
• Process Manufacturing
• Test Reports
• Process Documentation
• Quality Control Documents
• Authorisation letters from foreign manufacturers

Since the BIS also supplies guidelines specific to each scheme and product manuals, the final document checklist must always be checked against the relevant requirements.

A consultant specialised in BIS registrations can check the application package prior to its submission to spot any information that is missing or inconsistent.

Complete Process for BIS Certification in India

Step 1: Submit the BIS Application

Get the documents you need, file the BIS application, and pay the relevant fees.

Includes:

• Document preparation
• Application submission
• Fee payment
• Application number allocation

Step 2: Respond to BIS Queries

BIS may ask about missing documents, problems, or need more details. The applicant must reply and provide the needed information.

Step 3: Factory Inspection

BIS audits the foreign manufacturing facility to assess:

• Manufacturing process
• Quality control
• In-house testing facilities
• Production infrastructure
• Conformity procedures

Step 4: Product Sample Testing

When the factory is being inspected, BIS takes and seals samples of the products for testing at a laboratory that is recognised by BIS. The test report is then sent to BIS for assessment.

Step 5: Grant of BIS Licence

If the product meets the applicable Indian Standard and other requirements:

• BIS approves the licence
• Applicable licence and marking fees are paid
• Permission is granted to use the BIS Standard Mark (ISI Mark) as per BIS conditions

Step 6: Indemnity Bond & Performance Bank Guarantee

Before the licence is issued, the manufacturer must complete the applicable formalities, including:

• Submission of the Indemnity Bond through the Authorised Indian Representative (AIR)
• Submission of the prescribed Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) as per current BIS requirements

Cost of Getting BIS Certification for Manufacturers

The cost of obtaining BIS certification is not fixed and depends on several factors, including:

• Product type and applicable Indian Standard
• BIS certification scheme
• Number and type of tests required
• Factory/plant location
• Number of models or product variations
• Applicable BIS government and marking fees
• Laboratory and inspection charges

As a result, the amount required for the final certification will differ from product to product and from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Validity of BIS Certification for Manufacturers

Getting BIS certification does not mark the end of the compliance process; manufacturers are still required to meet the relevant Indian Standards, the BIS requirements, the surveillance conditions, and the renewal requirements.

• BIS CRS Registration: It is determined by the relevant BIS requirements and must be renewed.
• BIS ISI Licence: This stays valid if you meet the required renewal, checks, and rules.
• FMCS licence: It remains valid in accordance with the relevant BIS guidelines and can be renewed provided that compliance with BIS requirements is maintained.

Legal Framework Governing BIS Certification

The principal legal framework includes:

• Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016

• BIS Rules, 2018

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

According to the BIS Act, an applicant has the option of applying for a licence or a Certificate of Conformity in the case where the relevant goods, article, process, system or service complies with an Indian Standard, provided that the applicable conditions and requirements are met.

Common Challenges Manufacturers Face

Manufacturers often encounter difficulties such as:

• Selecting the wrong IS code
• Misunderstanding whether certification is mandatory
• Incomplete documentation
• Incorrect test requirements
• Laboratory coordination delays
• Manufacturing gaps
• Inadequate in-house testing facilities
• Incorrect marking/label information
• Delayed responses to BIS queries
• Difficulty understanding product-specific guidelines
• Non-conformities during inspection
• Tracking standard revisions and QCOs

How UMSPCS Helps You Navigate BIS Certification

UMSPCS offers full-product compliance assistance to manufacturers seeking BIS certification and other relevant regulatory approvals, backed by 6+ years of industry experience and expertise in managing 600+ product compliance requirements across multiple industries.

Our support can include:

• Product and IS code identification
• BIS applicability assessment
• Selection of the appropriate certification scheme
• Documentation assistance
• BIS application preparation
• Laboratory coordination
• Testing support
• Factory inspection preparation
• BIS query and observation assistance
• Non-conformity closure support
• Registration follow-up
• Renewal and post-certification compliance support

UMSPCS collaborates with businesses in a variety of product categories and provides both BIS Certification for Indian manufacturers and BIS Certification for foreign manufacturers, provided that the relevant BIS scheme and product requirements apply.

Conclusion

When dealing with product standards, testing, the necessary documentation, factory requirements, and government regulations at the same time, BIS certification can become complicated.

A competent BIS consultant based in India will create a structured compliance plan for this complicated process, starting with identifying the relevant standard and then preparing the necessary documents, arranging the testing, providing support during the inspection, and handling the requirements after certification.

If you are looking for BIS Certification in India, BIS Certification for Indian manufacturers, BIS Certification for foreign manufacturers, or professional BIS Compliance Services in India, appropriate regulatory support will enable you to deal with the process in a clearer and more prepared manner.

Is there support available for obtaining Professional BIS Certification?

For professional help with BIS certification, registration, testing coordination, documentation, and regulatory compliance, you should contact UMSPCS.

Read more also: Phase-Wise Products List Under MTCTE Certification in India

FAQs

1. What is the role of a BIS Consultant in India?

A consultant from BIS assists manufacturers in understanding the relevant standards and schemes and helps with the preparation of documentation, testing, application, inspection preparation, and the resolution of queries.

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

BIS certification is usually voluntary, but the Indian government has made it mandatory for certain products by means of the relevant QCOs and notifications.

3. Is it possible for an Indian manufacturer to apply for BIS certification?

Yes, for Indian manufacturers, it is possible to apply through the relevant BIS conformity assessment scheme, provided that their product and manufacturing facilities satisfy the prescribed requirements.

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

Yes, foreign manufacturers who are eligible may get BIS certification by means of the relevant mechanisms, such as the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS).

5. Does a manufacturer from a foreign country need an AIR?

In order to obtain FMCS certification, a foreign manufacturer must name an Authorised Indian Representative who meets the BIS requirements.