BIS Certification

Overview of BIS Certification in India

The process of getting a quality standard certificate for producing and selling different items in India from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is known as BIS Certification. Getting a BIS certificate is mostly optional, giving companies the choice to either obtain a certification or not. To guarantee adherence to Indian standards, the central government does, however, require obligatory certification for a few of the items.

Protecting the public, guaranteeing the safety of humans, animals, and plants, encouraging environmental conservation, stopping unfair commercial practices, and upholding national security are just a few of the significant objectives of BIS certification. The Bureau of Indian Standards, or BIS, is India's national standards body. It was created by the BIS Act of 2016. In certain situations, the Bureau of Indian Standards license or certificate of conformity issued by the central government is required to be used. 

Introduction of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Under the Indian government's Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, the Bureau of Indian Standards is an Indian Standard Organisation. BIS bears the responsibility of guaranteeing end users the quality, stability, and dependability of products. Numerous quality certificates have been issued in support of this, and the company is actively involved in controlling, grading, setting industry standards, and performing testing for items that are marketed and distributed in India.

A statute that gave the Bureau of Indian Standards authority to provide manufacturers with a voluntary product certification program was enacted in 1986. With this certification, producers may use the standard mark as a way to demonstrate their commitment to the established quality standards and their product's conformity with Indian norms.

It is noteworthy that compliance with relevant Indian standards and the use of the standard mark are prerequisites for the domestic sale of BIS mandatory products. If these requirements are not met, the sale of such items within India is prohibited.

Major Activities of BIS

• Information Services
• Laboratory Services
• Hallmarking Scheme
• Promotional Activities
• Standards Formulation
• Sale of Indian Standards
• Consumer Affairs Activities
• Product Certification Scheme
• Laboratory Recognition Scheme
• Compulsory Registration Scheme
• Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme
• Training Services, National & International level

Who Needs a BIS Certificate?

• Foreign manufacturers exporting regulated products to India.
• Indian manufacturers producing goods under the compulsory certification list.
• Importers, distributors, and e-commerce sellers dealing in products that require a BIS certificate.

Types of BIS Certification Scheme

Below are the different types of BIS certification schemes:

Compulsory Registration Scheme

For the product categories that the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced, BIS also has a Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for Electronics and Information Technology Goods. The Department of Electronics and Information Technology and the Bureau of Indian Standards launched this program in 2012 to protect Indian customers against counterfeit and subpar products. 

No one is allowed to produce, store for sale, import, sell, or distribute items that do not meet the Indian standards outlined in the order and do not bear the Standard Mark, which is a unique registration number acquired from BIS in accordance with Compulsory Registration Scheme Orders. A BIS certificate is required prior to the release of information technology and electronic products into the market. After having their product evaluated in a laboratory certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards, manufacturers of goods covered by the compulsory registration scheme are required to apply for BIS certificates.

ISI Mark Certification for Domestic Manufacturers

The Bureau of Indian Standards grants the ISI Mark Certificate, a standard mark. When a product bears the ISI mark, it guarantees that it complies with relevant Indian standards. For purchasers, the ISI label is a sign of confidence. The maker must receive a BIS certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards in order to use the ISI Mark on the product. The producer must guarantee that their product complies with all relevant Indian requirements in order to obtain a certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards. Only producers whose goods satisfy all applicable Indian requirements are granted BIS certification.

Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme:

Under this program, foreign manufacturers are able to sell their goods in India while using the standard ISI mark on their goods. Under the FMCS Certification Scheme, foreign manufacturers that produce goods that meet applicable Indian standards are granted a BIS license by the Bureau of Indian Standards to use the ISI mark on their products. The only body qualified to provide manufacturing permits to foreign entities is the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Department (FMCD). Providing foreign producers with quality certificates is primarily done by BIS to guarantee that the public is receiving high-quality, risk-free products.

Hallmark Registration for Gold and Silver

BIS launched a gold Hallmark Registration program in 2000 and a silver hallmarking program in 2005 to safeguard consumers from adulteration and require jewellers to uphold a legal level of purity. Hallmarking is the exact measurement and formal recording of the proportional amount of precious metal in precious metal objects. Consequently, a hallmark is an official mark used to guarantee the purity or fineness of precious metal products in many different nations.

It is required for jewellers to be registered with the BIS in order to produce or market gold or silver jewellery. Jewellers are granted registration by BIS to manufacture and sell hallmark jewellery as part of the hallmarking program. Jewellers can register with BIS for the designated area under the hallmarking process. Centres for hallmarking and assaying must also have BIS approval. For the purpose of assaying and hallmarking jewellery in compliance with ISO 15820:2009, the assaying and hallmarking centre must also be approved by BIS.

Eco-Mark Certification

The Bureau of Indian Standards manages the ECO Mark Scheme, which identifies environmentally friendly products. This scheme covers a wide range of product categories, such as paints, food items, soaps, detergents, batteries, packaging materials, architectural paints, food additives, wood substitutes, cosmetics, aerosols, plastic products, textiles, leather, fire extinguishers, and coir products. When a product displays the ECO Logo alongside the ISI Mark, it means the product meets both quality standards and specific environmental criteria outlined in the relevant Indian Standard.

Implementing the scheme, which includes reiterating, suspending, and cancelling permits; conducting inspections; and gathering samples for examination of any commodity or substance to which the ECO Mark has been applied, is under the purview of BIS.

Documents Required for BIS Certification

• Certificate of Incorporation of the firm
• Layout plan or blueprint of the premises
• Goods and Service Registration Certificate
• PAN Card: the Proprietor, Director, or Partner
• Partnership Deed in case of a partnership firm
• MSME, Udhyog Aadhar Registration Certificate
• Address and Identity Proof of Proprietor, Director, or Partner
• Electricity, landline, Telephone, and water bills of the premises
• Proof of the applicant's name and address, as well as the factory's name and address.

BIS Certification Product List

Below is the list of BIS certification mandatory products:

Mandatory product under the BIS CRS Scheme:

Mandatory product under the ISI Mark Scheme:

BIS Certification Process

The process of getting a BIS certificate depends upon multiple steps. An applicant can apply for BIS certification as mentioned below:

1. Selection of Applicable Standard: 

   An applicant needs to select the applicable standard for his product.

2. Create a login ID & password: 

   The user has to create a login credential for the Bureau of Indian Standards Manak online portal.

3. Testing of the Product: 

   The manufacturer or importer needs to send a sample to the BIS-approved lab for testing.

4. Application Submission:

   Submit the necessary documents, forms, and test reports generated by the BIS-approved lab through the online portal.

5. Pay the applicable fee:

   After submitting the complete documents, the applicant must pay the required government fee online via the BIS portal. 

6. Onsite Audit or Inspection:

   Post-application verification, an audit or inspection will be scheduled by a Bureau of Indian Standards official on the premises.

7. Scrutiny of the Application:

   After the site audit, a complete application, along with the test report and other details, will be reviewed by departmental officials. 

8. Grant of BIS Certificate:

    The Bureau of Indian Standards will issue a BIS Certificate after successful scrutiny of the application.

How Long Does BIS Certification Take?

Note: Delays can occur due to incomplete documentation or failed testing, so it's advised to consult experienced professionals like Agile Regulatory.

Fees and Costs Involved in BIS Certification

BIS certification cost in India depends on the type of BIS certificate we are applying for:

Cost Application for BIS CRS Certification:

The fee structure for obtaining a BIS CRS certificate typically includes several components, like the application fee, which is non-refundable and has to be paid at the time of submitting the application. Testing Fee for testing of samples in a BIS-recognised lab. and processing fee for the grant of a BIS CRS certificate.

1. Application Fee: ₹ 1000
2. Licensing Fee: ₹ 2000
3. Processing Fee: ₹ 50000
4. Testing Fee: Depending on product

Cost Applicable for BIS ISI Mark Certification:

The fee structure for applying for an ISI mark certificate typically includes an application fee, which is paid at the time of submission. It also includes an audit or inspection fee that covers the cost of the initial audit and inspection of the manufacturing facility, a lab testing fee for testing product samples, a marking fee for the use of the ISI mark on products, and an annual license fee for maintaining the certification.

1. Application Fee: ₹1000
2. Annual Licensing Fee: ₹1000
3. Audit Charges: ₹7000
4. Marking Fee: Based on Product Standard 
5. Lab Testing Fee: Based on Product Standard                                          

Validity and Renewal Process of BIS Certificate

Benefits of Obtaining a BIS Certification in India

• Manufacturers who obtain BIS certification can gain the trust of consumers.
• Customers can trust that the product is dependable, safe, and of high quality.
• A manufacturer can outperform competitors by getting BIS certification for their products.
• The product complies with relevant Indian requirements as guaranteed by the manufacturer
• Ensures that BIS-certified items are genuine and offer dependable, high-quality performance
• Guarantees quality standards since items registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards are required to adhere to specific guidelines throughout production.
• BIS-certified goods reduce environmental hazards since they don't use certain chemicals or materials that are forbidden by Bureau of Indian Standards rules.
• By obtaining BIS registration, companies can access a wider customer base, which helps increase sales and foster growth in the market.

How to Verify a BIS Certificate Online

To verify a BIS certificate:

1. Visit BIS Portal.
2. Go to “Search License.”
3. Enter the license number, product name, or manufacturer details
4. Alternatively, download the BIS Care App from Google Play Store

BIS Certification vs ISO vs CE

BIS Certification Consultant - Agile Regulatory