Which BIS Consultants Provide Testing Coordination and Renewal Support?

Responsibility usually starts after the completion of the BIS certification process, which encompasses coordinating product testing, answering inquiries from testing laboratories, preparing for factory surveillance, and renewing licenses. Non-compliance with BIS standards can be costly for a business. Managing a BIS certification process, along with its after-effects, requires engagement with the right BIS consultant.

There are BIS consultants that manage the process of responding to queries by BIS and other concerned authorities, application tracking, renewal requirements, and coordination with BIS-recognized testing laboratories, on behalf of clients.

Be it BIS CRS certification for electrical products or BIS ISI certification for Indian manufacturers or any other BIS certification for foreign manufacturers, engagement with the right consultants can help minimise the stress of managing the process and ensure effective compliance.

What Else Does A BIS Consultant Offer Beyond Initial Certification?

BIS certification is not an end-to-end process where manufacturers apply, receive, and start using the licence. Continuous compliance with the same standards is mandatory.

This may include:

• Product testing through BIS-recognized laboratories.
• Product surveillance through factory inspections.
• Meeting additional requirements defined by the certification scheme.
• Technical documentation and test reports
• Arrangements for factory inspections and quality control
• Adherence to the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT), where applicable
• Records of payment of production and marking fees
• Requirements of factory and market surveillance
• Requests for renewal of licence and change of product scope
• Compliance with revised Indian Standards and QCOs

A professional BIS certification consultant will help you with the above activities to ensure continuous service between certification, testing, surveillance, and renewal activities.

What are the Basic Requirements of Testing Coordination and Renewal?

Before hiring a consultant, manufacturers should understand the basics of compliance.

For testing coordination:

• Correct identification of the Indian Standard
• Sample prepared as per laboratory requirements
• Provision of detailed technical specifications of the product
• Selection of an appropriate BIS-recognized laboratory
• Compliance with testing requirements
• Timely submission of test reports

For renewal:

• A valid BIS licence/CRS registration
• Access to the BIS online portal
• Updated company and manufacturing details
• Production and marking, where applicable
• Other records about quality control
• Compliance with the certification conditions

Additionally, for foreign manufacturers, AIR, undertakings and other FMCS records may be required.

Documents Required for BIS Testing and Renewal

The document checklist depends on the product, certification scheme, and application type. However, manufacturers should generally keep the following records ready.

• Manufacturing Unit & Product Details
• Address Proof of Factory
• Trademark Certificate
• Manufacturing License & Approval
• Product Drawings & Specifications
• Installed Production Capacity
• Details of Raw Material
• Details of Machinery & Equipment
• Factory Layout Plan
• Manufacturing Process Flow
• Testing & Calibration Details
• Quality Control
• Factory Organization Chart

The last Checklist should be checked for conformity against the latest BIS Scheme-Specific Requirements.

How Does the BIS Testing and Renewal Process Work?

This is the structure that BIS has developed to explain to Manufacturers how to submit the required documentation.

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

First, locate the relevant IS code. Manufacturers need to;

• Understand the requirements for the product.
• Comply with the requirements for BIS.
• Make necessary improvements to manufacturing processes, wherever required.

Step 2: Product Testing & Documentation

The product is tested in an accredited laboratory (as specified by BIS) and recognized by NABL.

This includes;

• Preparation and submission of product sample and product description.
• Preparation of manufacturing details and factory records.
• Organize QC records.

Step 3: Submission of BIS Application

BIS application is submitted online through BIS’s respective portal along with

Test reports.

• Manufacturing and factory details.
• Technical records and documents.
• Government Fees.
• BIS reviews the application and may request additional data.

Step 4: Factory Inspection by BIS

BIS officials may visit the manufacturing facility to assess:

• Manufacturing processes and infrastructure.
• Production machinery and equipment.
• Quality-control procedures.
• In-house testing facilities.

Step 5: Product Testing and Lab Report Submission

When needed, samples are sent by the authorized person to an approved laboratory. The laboratory prepares a Lab Test Report (LTR) and forwards it to BIS for evaluation.

Step 6: Closure of Non-Conformities

Upon testing and/or inspection, if any non-conformity is identified by BIS, the manufacturer has to:

• Implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Submit supplementary or revised documents.
• Respond to technical observations.
• Conduct additional testing as required.

Step 7: Payment of Licence and Marking Fees

After fulfilling all the requirements for certification, the manufacturer has to pay the charges levied by BIS, which include:

• Annual licence fee.
• Marking fees.
• Other fees as may be prescribed.

Step 8: Grant of BIS ISI Licence

After completion and satisfactory fulfillment of testing, inspection, documentation, corrective actions, and fees, BIS issues the ISI Licence. Thereafter, the manufacturer is authorized to affix the ISI Mark on certified products, in accordance with the BIS standards and instructions.

Costing of BIS Consultancy in India

BIS consultancy fees in India depend on the complexity of the product, applicable Indian Standard, testing and inspection requirements, and the type of documentation involved. The approximate cost for BIS ISI certification is as follows:

These fees will depend on the complexity of the product and the extent of the BIS requirements.

Timeline for BIS Consultancy in India

The time required for the BIS certification consultancy process depends on the complexity of the product and the certification required. Other factors such as the availability of laboratory testing and inspection of the factory also affect the time required for the process. On average, the process takes between 30 and 40 days.

We anticipate the following timeline for the process.

• Documentation and preparation: 7 to 10 days
• Product Testing: 10 to 15 days
• Factory Inspection: 5 to 10 days

This timeline is for planning and is only an estimate. The actual time taken for the process can be longer and is dependent on test results, queries by BIS, and observations made during factory inspections.

Challenges Associated with BIS Testing and Renewal

Even with a consultant, challenges are to be expected when undergoing BIS testing and renewal due to several factors including, but not limited to:

• Delays by the laboratory
• Mismatch of test reports
• Gap in documentation
• Products that do not conform to requirements
• Expired renewals
• Revision of standards
• Surveillance observations

It is the job of a competent consultant to identify these challenges and assist the client with the next course of action.

How Can UMSPCS Help With BIS Testing and Renewal?

At UMSPCS, our focus is on the clients and understanding the product to help identify the applicable requirements to comply with the laws.

With over 6 years of experience with product compliance and supporting over 600 clients, we help with BIS tests and certifications.

Our services include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Testing
• Renewal of CRS
• ISI certification
• Surveillance
• Coordination
• Fmcs services
• Updates on laws

Conclusion

Getting the BIS certification is important, but so is maintaining it, which requires continuous testing of the product, review of documents, quality control, surveillance, and timely renewal. Therefore, manufacturers need to opt for a BIS consultant in India who can support them beyond the first application.

We assist in testing, documentation, and renewal for BIS CRS Certification and BIS ISI Certification, and BIS Certification for foreign manufacturers.

Reach out to us for organised certification and ongoing compliance support. Book your free consultation!

Read more also: Why Do Automobile Wheel Rim Components Require BIS Certificate

FAQs

1. Which BIS consultants provide testing coordination and renewal support?

Compliance service providers offer end-to-end compliance services and, therefore, assist with laboratory selection and follow-ups on test reports, and support for documentation, surveillance and renewal. We provide these services for Indian as well as foreign manufacturers.

2. Can a BIS consultant assist with product testing coordination?

Yes, a consultant can assist with identification of an appropriate BIS-recognized lab, sample submission, follow-up on testing status and clarify queries on test reports.

3. Is testing mandatory for BIS CRS Certification for electrical products?

Yes, products coming under CRS will have to undergo the necessary testing at a BIS recognized laboratory, as part of the scheme requirements, prior to registration.

4. Can Indian manufacturers appoint a consultant for BIS ISI licence renewal?

Yes, Indian manufacturers can appoint consultants for renewal of the ISI licence to review their production records, organize their documents and assist them in the submission through Manakonline.

5. Do foreign manufacturers require a BIS consultant for FMCS renewal?

Legally speaking, a consultant is not required; however, for the renewal of AIR, testing and communication with BIS, a professional may assist the foreign manufacturer.

6. What happens if a BIS licence expires before renewal?

There may be regulatory problems, including postponement of approval of the product, and the licence holder is not allowed to assume that an expired licence authorises the use of the Standard Mark. The concerned BIS provisions should be immediately examined.