When making a product for the Indian market, meeting technical specifications is not enough. In addition, for products where BIS requirements are compulsory, manufacturers may also need to demonstrate conformity with the relevant Indian Standard and submit for certification or registration, as required.
This is where BIS Certification India comes in. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standards organisation, and its product certification system includes various conformity assessment pathways for different products. These can include Scheme-I (ISI Mark), Scheme-II (CRS), Scheme-IV, Scheme-X, and FMCS for eligible foreign manufacturers.
However, it is not a mandatory requirement for all products to be certified by BIS. In accordance with relevant legal conditions, such as Quality Control Orders (QCOs), certification is mandatory for certain products as per the Central Government.
UMSPCS assists manufacturers and importers/businesses from abroad in identifying the applicable BIS requirements and managing testing, documentation, and certification activities.
What Is BIS Certification in India?
BIS Certification is a conformity-assessment system that allows BIS to determine if products conform to applicable Indian Standards.
Certification can be done in various ways and is subject to the product and the regulations.
Scheme I – ISI Mark Certification
In Scheme I, BIS provides a licence to the manufacturer if its product complies with the relevant Indian Standard and the manufacturing, quality control, and testing set-up is in compliance with the related requirements. BIS states that the process involves identification of the Indian Standard, assessment of manufacturing infrastructure, and conformity through applicable testing and assessment.
Scheme II – BIS CRS Registration
Most of the products covered by the Compulsory Registration Scheme are electronics and IT products that have been notified. Products that come under CRS are registered following the applicable laboratory testing and BIS registration process.
FMCS – Foreign Manufacturer Certification
The Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) is a scheme that allows qualified foreign factories to get a BIS licence for the products that meet the Indian standards. FMCS is applicable to foreign manufacturers (excluding electronics and IT products notified under CRS), according to BIS.
Scheme-X and Other Routes
Some products are subject to other conformity-assessment schemes – establishing the appropriate path is an important first step.
Why Is BIS Certification Required?
If the Government has made BIS conformity mandatory, manufacturers should comply with all the requirements before the covered product is available in the market.
For businesses, good BIS compliance can help:
- Comply with the regulatory requirements as applicable.
- Show adherence to appropriate Indian standards.
- Implement product safety and quality controls.
- Support market access.
- Increase confidence of distributors and buyers.
- Reduce compliance-related disruptions.
- Have a structured quality-control process in place.
BIS says that it is bringing compulsory certification to certain products to meet public interest, safety, health and environmental protection, prevention of unfair trade, and national security considerations.
Who Needs BIS Certification in India?
BIS requirements vary for various businesses, depending on the product and scheme.
These may include:
- Indian manufacturers
- Foreign manufacturers
- Representatives of importers of regulated products
- OEM / ODM manufacturers
- Brand owners
- Electrical and electronics manufacturers
- Construction-product manufacturers
- Industrial-product manufacturers
- Consumer-product manufacturers
- For new regulated products, businesses are launching.
For foreign manufacturers, the route that applies could be FMCS or CRS, depending on the product category and notification.
In the case of FMCS, BIS mandates that the manufacturing premises must be outside India, and the manufacturer should have the required manufacturing machinery, testing facilities, and competent testing staff.
Which Products Require BIS Certification in India?
BIS certification is for products with mandatory certification requirements and not all products sold in India.
Regulated categories may include:
- Electrical appliances
- Electronic and IT equipment
- Steel and metal products
- The production of cement and construction materials
- Cables and electrical accessories
- Household products
- Automotive-related products
- Chemicals and industrial products
- Consumer goods
- Other products notified under applicable compulsory requirements
BIS has different lists for products under Scheme-I, Scheme-II, Scheme-IV, and Scheme-X, so it is essential to check the product itself and not take a copy of a list of general industries.
How to Know Which BIS Standard Applies to Your Product?
The Indian Standard identification is the first step in BIS’s own application guidance. Manufacturers are then expected to conduct an analysis of their manufacturing infrastructure, process controls, quality control, and testing required for that standard.
A proper assessment should consider:
- Name and uses of the product.
- Technical specifications
- Intended use
- Product construction
- Specify the range of models and variants.
- Manufacturing location
- Applicable government notification
- Relevant Indian Standard
This step can prevent manufacturers from spending money on testing under an unsuitable standard.
How to Get BIS Certification in India?
The following are typical stages in a process for BIS Certification in India of a product or process, although the order and timing of these steps may differ according to the product and scheme.
Step 1: Classification of Product and Applicable Standard
It is the first and foremost step in the whole process where you have to identify the Indian Standard (IS code) and BIS certification programme for the product. The application will be filed under the appropriate category without any objection or rejection, provided the classification of the product is done accurately.
Step 2: Documentation
When we know the relevant Indian standard, we get all the necessary documents for the product ready. They include Technical specifications of the product, Manufacturing details of the product, Quality control details of the product, Company registration details, and so on.
Step 3: Testing of the product at the BIS-Approved Laboratory
The product is subjected to testing in the BIS-approved laboratory to check whether it satisfies the requirements of the Indian standard. We cooperate with the BIS-approved laboratories to assist the manufacturers in testing the product. Product testing is mandatory for BIS CRS, ISI certification, and other BIS programmes.
Step 4: Filing of BIS Application
Drafting of the BIS application and filing of the same through the BIS website portal with the test report.
Step 5: BIS Inspection and Audit
In cases where certification like BIS ISI Certification and BIS Certification for foreign manufacturers (FMCS) is applied for, BIS authorities can carry out an audit. We help manufacturers to get ready for this by ensuring that their processes meet all the requirements.
Step 6: Issuance of BIS Certification
Once the application, the test report, and inspection have been found satisfactory, the BIS certification will be issued. This allows the manufacturer to legally produce the product in India.
Documents Needed for BIS Certification in India
The documents depend on the chosen certification programme.
Some of the documents that may need to be submitted 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.
Cost of Getting BIS Certification in India
The pricing for BIS certification is dependent on various factors, which include:
- Product type
- BIS scheme applicable
- Tests to be carried out
- Plant location
- Number of product variations
Validity of BIS Certification India
The process of renewal of the certificate is as important as that of getting the certification itself. All the guidelines and regulations as stipulated by the BIS have to be adhered to by manufacturers in order to retain their certification.
- UMSPCS can guide manufacturers through product certification requirements with a structured approach, with 6 years of experience and support for 600+ product compliance requirements.n is 5 years, after which it may be renewed.
- BIS ISI License: Continued surveillance and compliance are necessary.
- FMCS Licence: Validity is according to guidelines laid down by BIS and is renewable.
What Challenges Can Manufacturers Face?
Manufacturers commonly encounter:
- Incorrect IS Code
- Wrong Certification Scheme
- Testing Failures
- Documentation Gaps
- Factory Readiness
- Regulatory Changes
Why Choose UMSPCS for BIS Certification in India?
UMSPCS offers BIS Certification for Indian manufacturers and foreign manufacturers in various product segments, with BIS compliance help.
Our services include:
- Product applicability assessment
- Indian Standard identification
- BIS scheme identification
- QCO applicability review
- Product and model assessment
- Laboratory coordination
- Product testing assistance
- Technical documentation
- BIS application filing
- Factory inspection preparation
- How to handle queries and observations in BIS
- Licence/registration support
- Post-certification compliance guidance
UMSPCS can guide manufacturers through product certification requirements with a structured approach, with 6 years of experience and support for 600+ product compliance requirements.
Conclusion
There are several processes under BIS Certification India, and the process that is applicable depends on the product, Indian Standard, government notice, and conformity-assessment scheme.
The first step for manufacturers should be to ascertain if BIS Certification India is required and to determine the appropriate Indian Standard. Then, planning of the test, documentation, manufacturing control, and the relevant application process for BIS can be continued.
For different products, the route taken by Indian manufacturers or foreign manufacturers may differ. Foreign manufacturers who are eligible may avail FMCS for products applicable to it, and notified electronics and IT products may be covered under CRS.
Looking for BIS Certification Support in India?
UMSPCS will assist you in identifying the appropriate Indian Standard and BIS scheme, arrange testing and documentation, and support your certification/registration.
Do not start testing or filing for a product without talking to UMSPCS about your product and the BIS requirements.
Read more also: BIS Certification for Furniture in India: Process, Documents, Cost
FAQs
- Is BIS certification mandatory for every product in India?
No, only products for which there are compulsory certification requirements have to be certified by BIS.
- How can I check whether my product needs BIS certification in India?
An Indian Standard can be determined, and the presence of the product in the applicable BIS compulsory certification framework can be ascertained.
- What are the main BIS certification schemes in India?
Depending on the product, the major routes are Scheme-I/ISI, CRS, FMCS for eligible foreign manufacturers, and Scheme-X.
- Do foreign manufacturers need BIS certification in India?
In the case of eligible foreign manufacturers, depending on the product and applicable notification, they may need to obtain BIS certification either under FMCS or CRS.
- What documents are needed for BIS certification?
Documents can be of different types depending on the product, such as manufacturer information, technical specifications, drawings, test reports, factory information, and quality-control reports.
- How much does BIS certification cost in India?
The cost varies based on the product, scheme, testing needs, lab cost, BIS cost, and scope of certification.
- How long does BIS certification take?
The entire process to get the product to market depends on testing, documentation, factory readiness, BIS review, and resolution of queries.
- Can UMSPCS help with BIS Certification in India?
Yes, UMSPCS offers product assessment, standard identification, testing, documentation, application, and certification support.
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