Is Your LED Control Gear BIS Compliant? A Guide to IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012

Even though an LED is the visible component of a lighting system, it is the control gear that ensures the electrical power supplied to the system works safely and reliably. When the control gear is manufactured, imported, or sold in India, having a product that functions technically may still be insufficient.

BIS has included IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012 in its Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for electronic control gear that is supplied either directly or indirectly to LED modules. The standard sets out the safety requirements for electronic control gear used with LED modules, and thus BIS CRS Certification for DC or AC supplied electronic control gear is a key regulatory requirement for companies involved in these products in India.

Then here’s how you can tell if your LED control equipment complies: what kind of testing is necessary? Which documents are required? Is it possible for a manufacturer from abroad to get registration? And how long does the whole process take? This blog sets out the entire process.

What Does IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012 Refer to?

IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012 relates to “the safety of lamp control gear: part 2, particular requirements: section 13 – electronic control gear for LED modules which is supplied with either direct current or alternating current”.

It lays down specific safety requirements for electronic control equipment which is supplied in either DC or AC form and is intended for use with LED modules.

BIS has included the standard in the Scheme II – Registration Scheme and the relevant product category is DC or AC Supplied Electronic Control Gear for LED Modules.

It therefore means that manufacturers and importers must check that the product conforms to the relevant requirements before putting the notified product onto the Indian market.

The present BIS Scheme II listing specifically covers IS 15885 (Part 2/Section 13) for this product category.

What is it About BIS Compliance that Makes it Important for LED Control Gear?

The control gear for LED lights has direct contact with the power supply and is responsible for regulating the amount of power sent to the LED modules. Control gear that is poorly designed or fails to comply can lead to electrical and thermal safety problems.

The purpose of the BIS CRS framework is to make sure that electronic products which have been notified comply with the relevant Indian safety standards before they are put on the Indian market.

The BIS has stated that CRS functions under Scheme II of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations of 2018, the basis for registration being the self-declaration of conformity.

For businesses, it is possible to obtain BIS Certification for LED control gear that is relevant to them, thereby ensuring regulatory compliance and offering a documented route for both manufacturing and entering the market.

What Does IS 15885 (Part 2/Section 13):2012 Relate to?

The standard deals with the safety features of electronic control equipment. Depending on the relevant test scope and the evaluation carried out in the laboratory, testing may cover areas such as:

• Marking requirements
• Protection against accidental contact with live parts
• Terminals
• Provision for earthing
• Moisture resistance
• Electric strength
• Thermal endurance
• Fault conditions
• Transformer heating
• Construction
• Creepage distances and clearances
• Screws, current-carrying parts and connections
• Resistance to heat, fire and tracking
• Resistance to corrosion

The current entry in the BIS laboratory database for IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012 includes testing scopes relating to these types of requirements, although the specific scope and exclusions may differ according to the recognized laboratory and its approved scope.

When you make your application, you should check the testing charges and the scope of the laboratory since the BIS laboratory scopes and the applicable exclusions may change.

BIS CRS Certification Process: From Product Testing to Registration

The process may be broken down into a number of practical stages.

Step 1: Online Registration

You need to register on the BIS CRS portal and provide the essential details required in order to get your login credentials.

Key Points:

• Register on the CRS portal.
• Enter the applicant and manufacturer information.
• Obtain login credentials.

Step 2: Product Testing

Prepare the test request using the CRS portal and send the product samples to a laboratory that is recognised by BIS for testing in accordance with the relevant Indian Standard.

Key Points:

• Generate the test request.
• Select a BIS-recognized laboratory.
• Send in samples and get the test report.

Step 3: Submit CRS Application

Once you have the test report, fill in the CRS application and attach the necessary documents together with the relevant fees.

Key Points:

• You must submit the test report within the specified time frame, usually 90 days, where applicable.
• Upload supporting documents.
• Make sure the product and manufacturer details are the same.
• Pay the BIS fee that applies.

Step 4: Application Scrutiny

The BIS looks at the application, the test report, and the supporting documents and may submit questions if further information or clarification is needed.

Key Points:

• The BIS examines the application and the test report.
• Answer questions if they come up.
• Provide any additional documents that are required.

Step 5: Grant of BIS CRS Registration

Once it has been carefully examined, the BIS grants the product registration and gives it a unique R-number.

Key Points:

• Receive BIS CRS registration.
• Print the BIS Standard Mark together with the R-number.
• Adhere to the relevant marking and labelling requirements.

Documents Required for BIS CRS Registration in India

The documentation will depend on the applicant, the product, and the specific circumstances of the application. Typical requirements are:

• 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

The present BIS CRS checklist clearly lists address proof, Form VI, brand documentation, the undertakings, AIR documentation concerning foreign manufacturers, and other relevant records.

BIS CRS Certification Cost for LED Control Gear

The cost of BIS CRS Certification for DC or AC supplied electronic control gear depends on several factors, including:

• Applicable Indian Standard
• Product type and technical specifications
• Testing requirements
• Number of models or variants
• Applicable BIS government fees

The ultimate cost will depend on the extent of the testing, the number of models, the product configuration, and any extra compliance requirements.

BIS CRS Certification Timeline in India

The BIS CRS Certification process usually takes about 20 to 30 working days, on the condition that the necessary documents, samples, testing, and application processing are carried out without any major queries.

The exact timeline will depend on the availability of the laboratory, the complexity of the product, the accuracy of the documentation, the testing requirements, and the BIS queries.

Common Challenges in BIS Certification for LED Control Gear

Even when the product itself is technically sound, businesses can face compliance delays because of:

• Incorrect Standard Identification
• Laboratory Selection Issues
• Test Report Validity
• Model and Brand Mismatch
• Incomplete Technical Documentation
• Foreign Manufacturer Documentation

How UMSPCS Can Help With BIS CRS Certification for DC or AC Supplied Electronic Control Gear

Getting BIS CRS Certification for DC or AC supplied electronic control gear that is supplied either directly or indirectly involves more than just filling in an application; the product scope, testing, the documentation, the model configuration, the brand information, and the regulatory filings all have to stay consistent.

We offer end-to-end compliance assistance to companies that want to obtain BIS Certification in India.

UMSPCS assists manufacturers, importers, and foreign companies in dealing with regulatory requirements in a more structured way, drawing on the experience it has acquired over 6 years in the field of compliance and having dealt with more than 600 product compliance requirements.

Our support can include:

• Product and IS standard applicability assessment
• Identification of the appropriate BIS CRS pathway
• BIS-recognized laboratory coordination
• Sample testing coordination
• Technical document review
• CRS application preparation
• Form and affidavit documentation support
• Brand and model documentation
• Foreign manufacturer and AIR documentation support
• BIS query and clarification assistance
• Registration and post-registration support
• Renewal and model inclusion assistance

Conclusion

LED control gear should be made compliant with BIS requirements before it enters commercial manufacturing, importation, or the market rather than after a regulatory problem has occurred.

As BIS Scheme II covers IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012 in the case of electronic control gear for LED modules, whether the power supplied is direct current or alternating current, manufacturers and importers should check the relevant requirements, have the testing carried out by a recognised laboratory, and acquire the necessary CRS registration.

If you are an Indian manufacturer who is extending your range of LED products or if you are a foreign manufacturer intending to enter the Indian market, an appropriate compliance strategy can help in avoiding unnecessary delays and documentation gaps.

Can I get some help with obtaining BIS CRS Certification for electronic control gear,  gear that is supplied directly or indirectly?

Connect with UMSPCS to obtain end-to-end support for BIS compliance, covering product assessment and laboratory coordination as well as CRS registration and assistance after registration.

Read more also: Know BIS Consultant Fee or Cost in India for Registration

FAQs

1. Is BIS certification mandatory for DC or AC supplied electronic control gear for LED modules?

Yes, the IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012 entry under BIS Scheme II applies to DC or AC supplied electronic control gear for LED modules, and therefore the relevant CRS registration requirement is important for companies which intend to place such notified products on the Indian market.

2. What does IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012 refer to?

It is the Indian Standard that prescribes the specific safety requirements for electronic control gear which is supplied with direct current or alternating current and is intended for use with LED modules.

3. Is it possible for a foreign manufacturer to get BIS CRS registration?

Foreign manufacturers of products which are the subject of CRS are entitled to apply. In the case where the foreign manufacturer has no liaison office or branch office in India, an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) must be appointed in accordance with BIS procedures.

4. Is certification by the BIS CRS the same as certification by the BIS FMCS?

The BIS says that the FMCS applies to products other than those which are Electronics & IT Goods notified under the CRS. Electronic products concerned are dealt with by means of the CRS route.

5. Which laboratory is capable of testing LED control gear in accordance with IS 15885?

Testing must be carried out in a laboratory that is recognized by BIS and has the relevant scope specified in IS 15885 (Part 2/Sec 13):2012; the current scopes of laboratories recognized by BIS are available in BIS’s laboratory database.

6. What is the maximum age of a test report when applying through the CRS?

The present CRS application instructions of the BIS state that the test report should usually be no older than 90 days when the online submission is made.