What Is BIS ISI Certification for Feeding Bottles and Why Is It Required?

Although a feeding bottle may seem to be a simple item, for an infant each part of it is important, whether it is the material that comes into contact with the milk or the bottle’s ability to endure repeated cleaning and sterilization. This is the reason why feeding bottles in India must comply with specific Indian Standards and statutory requirements.

Thus, for the producers and importers, BIS Certification for feeding bottles is not merely a mark of quality but also a statutory obligation pertaining to the safe usage of the feeding bottles for infants and ensuring the legal sale of these feeding bottles in India.

Plastic feeding bottles fall under IS 14625:2015 and glass feeding bottles under IS 5168:2018 as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandatory certification regime.

The blog contains information regarding the applicable standards, the legal aspects of the process, requirements regarding the certification, and the necessary documents, validity period, timelines, difficulties experienced, and how manufacturers and importers can obtain BIS ISI Certification for Indian manufacturers and BIS Certification for foreign manufacturers.

Feeding Bottles and the BIS Standards You Need to Know

The way to get BIS Certification in India is to determine the appropriate Indian Standard according to the material and the product configuration.

The BIS includes both standards within the category of products that are subject to compulsory certification.

IS 14625:2015 – Plastic Feeding Bottles

The plastic bottles for infants and young children referred to in IS 14625:2015 have to meet certain requirements and be tested using specific methods; these requirements cover materials, durability, leakage resistance, markings, and chemical safety.

IS 5168:2018 – Glass Feeding Bottles

The IS 5168:2018 standard relates to glass feeding bottles and includes considerations such as material, construction, capacity, dimensions, resistance to thermal shock, and the migration of heavy and toxic elements. The BIS product manual states that this standard forms the basis for certification under Scheme-I.

The aim is to make sure that feeding bottles satisfy the established requirements concerning safety, hygiene, reliability, durability, and performance.

What exactly does BIS ISI Certification Establish?

When a company gets an ISI licence, it has shown that it conforms to the relevant Indian Standard and also has the required abilities in manufacturing and testing.

Under BIS Scheme-I, certification involves assessment of:

• Manufacturing infrastructure
• Production processes
• Quality control systems
• Testing capabilities
• Product conformity with the applicable Indian Standard

The BIS has the option of verifying conformity by means of testing carried out by a third-party laboratory, by conducting the testing at its own manufacturing site, or by combining both methods.

The appropriate ISI marking on feeding bottles shows that they conform to the relevant standard within the scope of the BIS licence.

Basic Requirements for BIS Certification for Feeding Bottles

Before applying for BIS ISI Certification for Indian manufacturers, the applicant must make sure that the manufacturing facility is capable of continuously producing conforming products.

Key requirements include:

• Correct Indian Standard
• Suitable manufacturing infrastructure
• Quality control arrangements
• Testing facilities
• Product testing
• Proper documentation
• Standard Mark requirements

The BIS makes it clear that anyone who wishes to obtain a licence must have the necessary manufacturing facilities, process controls, quality control measures, and testing capabilities.

BIS Certification Procedure for Feeding Bottles

The certification process can be broadly understood through the following stages:

Step 1: Determine the Relevant Indian Standard

Determine the correct Indian Standard for the feeding bottle in accordance with its material and the type of product; IS 14625:2015 covers plastic feeding bottles and IS 5168:2018 applies to glass feeding bottles. The relevant requirements should then be examined and implemented in the manufacturing process.

Step 2: Testing & Documentation

Carry out the testing of samples of the feeding bottles as required by the relevant Indian Standard and prepare all the technical, product, factory, manufacturing, quality-control, and testing documents needed for the BIS application.

Step 3: Submit the BIS Application

You should submit your BIS application online together with the necessary test reports, the details of the manufacturing unit, the technical documents, the quality-control information, and all other relevant documents. Moreover, the BIS government fees applicable in this case must be paid as stated.

Step 4: Inspection by BIS

The officials of the BIS might go to the manufacturing plant in order to examine the manufacturing process, the production infrastructure, the quality-control arrangements, the testing facilities, and the manufacturer’s capacity to consistently produce feeding bottles in accordance with the relevant Indian Standard.

Step 5: Product Testing & Laboratory Report

Samples might be taken during the certification process and tested against the requirements of the relevant standard; the results of the laboratory testing are assessed as part of the BIS evaluation in order to determine that the product conforms.

Step 6: Closure of Non-Conformities

Wherever any defects or failures are found as a result of document checks, factory inspections, or product testing, the manufacturer must take the proper corrective actions and submit the evidence required, the amended documents, or the compliance information needed to close the matter.

Step 7: Payment of Licence & Marking Fees

The manufacturer must pay the BIS licence fee specified and the relevant marking fee once the assessment has been completed and the necessary requirements have been met.

Step 8: Grant of ISI Licence

When the various requirements have been satisfactorily met, BIS will issue the licence for the approved scope of feeding bottles; the manufacturer may then use the ISI Mark on those products which are within the certified scope, provided the conditions of the BIS licence are met.

Documents Required for BIS Certification for Feeding Bottles

The exact requirements will depend on the applicant, the manufacturing arrangement and the certification pathway. As a general rule, applicants should prepare:

• Basic data of the manufacturing unit and the product segment
• For instance, a title deed indicating ownership or a utility bill, etc., as proof of the manufacturing unit’s address.
• 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/design schematics
• Installed manufacturing capacity
• List of materials used, and specification
• 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 organizational chart

A lack of documentation at the start can lead to questions and delays later on in the certification process.

BIS ISI Certification Cost for Feeding Bottles

The price for BIS Certification of feeding bottles will vary according to the relevant IS code, the type of product, the testing requirements, the variants, the factory assessment, the BIS fees, and the consultancy support.

The actual costs could differ depending on the product scope and the testing requirements.

BIS Certification Timeline and Validity for Feeding Bottles

The BIS certification process for feeding bottles usually takes about 30 to 40 working days, on the condition that the documents, testing, and factory facilities are in order. However, the timeline can differ according to the results of the BIS assessment and the closure of any observations.

The BIS licence is usually given for an initial term of up to two years and can be renewed provided that the applicable BIS requirements are met.

Benefits of Obtaining BIS Certification for Feeding Bottles

A valid BIS licence lets manufacturers show they follow the Indian Standard and meet the legal rules for feeding bottles.

Key benefits include:

• Regulatory compliance
• Infant-safety focus
• Quality assurance
• Market credibility
• Better market access
• Reduced compliance risk
• Foreign market entry

The BIS refers to its Standard Mark as a guarantee that the relevant requirements of the Indian Standards have been met and connects the certification system with consumer confidence, quality, safety, and reliability.

BIS Certification for Feeding Bottles: How UMSPCS Can Help

At UMSPCS, we help manufacturers and businesses to deal with the regulatory requirements for their products, from standard identification right through to certification.

UMSPCS, benefiting from more than six years of experience in compliance and support covering 600+ product regulatory requirements, aims to make the certification process structured and based on documentation.

Our support for BIS Certification for Feeding Bottles can include:

• Applicable IS code identification
• Preliminary compliance assessment
• Documentation review and preparation
• Factory-readiness assessment
• Testing and laboratory coordination
• BIS application support
• Query and deficiency management
• Factory inspection coordination
• ISI Mark compliance guidance
• Renewal and post-certification support
• Assisting Foreign Manufacturers

Conclusion

Since feeding bottles are used to feed infants, it is especially important that they be safe in terms of materials, durable, hygienic, and of good performance. Because of this, India’s regulatory system has established specific requirements regarding their sale and distribution.

The standards that apply to plasticware are as follows: IS 14625:2015, and those for glass feeding bottles are as follows: IS 5168:2018; both standards are part of the BIS compulsory certification scheme, and the provisions of the Feeding Bottles Act 1992 state that operation of said bottles cannot start until the contents fully comply with the requirements of the BIS Standard Mark.

Manufacturers that want to start production or start selling bottles should, at the very beginning, determine applicable standards and make sure that the production process is ready; this activity includes procedures necessary for conducting testing and creating the required documentation, acquiring an appropriate BIS license, and ensuring compliance in the course of the license being in force.

Looking to get BIS ISI Certification for feeding bottles? You can obtain professional help from UMSPCS to make it easier to carry out standard identification, documentation, testing, applications, and certification support.

Read more also: BIS Certification for German Furniture & Electronics Manufacturers

FAQs

1. Is it necessary to have BIS Certification when using feeding bottles in India?

Feeding bottles are included in the mandatory BIS certification scheme, and according to section 11(2) of the 1992 Act, compliance with the BIS Standard Mark is required before they can be sold or distributed.

2. What IS code applies to plastic feeding bottles?

The IS 14625:2015 standard relates to plastic feeding bottles, and manufacturers should likewise verify any applicable amendments and the current BIS requirements before acting.

3. Is it possible for manufacturers in India to apply for BIS ISI Certification online?

Yes, the BIS will accept applications for product certification via the Manakonline portal.

4. Is it possible for foreign manufacturers to get BIS Certification for feeding bottles?

Foreign manufacturers may apply via the BIS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme, provided that they meet the relevant requirements, such as designating an Authorized Indian Representative.

5. Does the BIS test samples from feeding bottles?

Product conformity can be achieved by means of testing carried out by a third-party laboratory, testing done in the factory, or a combination of these testing methods, according to the relevant certification process.

6. What would occur if a manufacturer used an incorrect ISI Mark?

The Standard Mark must be used in accordance with the conditions and scope set out in the BIS licence, and manufacturers should make sure that the marking, the range of products, and the packaging comply with the relevant BIS requirements.