What is BIS Certification?

BIS certification is a third-party assurance from BIS about the quality, reliability, durability and safety of a product for consumers. BIS or The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India. It is tasked with promoting and regulating products and goods standards. It is the agency responsible for various activities related to quality assurance such as certifying products, setting standards, conducting tests, applying hallmarks, and implementing calibration schemes. BIS is also responsible for safe and reliable quality goods, decreasing health hazards to consumers, promoting import and export substitutes, controlling the proliferation of varieties, etc. Registrations under BIS are governed by BIS Act 2016.

BIS certification for products is typically voluntary, but the Indian government has made it mandatory for specific items due to public health concerns or to maintain strict quality standards. According to government notifications, 484 products must obtain BIS license. This certification allows manufacturers to display the ISI mark (also known as the 'standard mark') on their products, indicating their quality as per the Indian Standards Institution (ISI).

To ensure product quality, BIS has established eight central, four regional, and three branch laboratories across India for testing product samples during preliminary and surveillance operations. Although BIS certification for products is voluntary, the government encourages companies and corporations to obtain it due to the following several reasons:

• Safeguarding public health.
• Ensuring quality assurance.
• Protecting consumers from potentially hazardous products.
• Building consumer confidence.

What is Eligibility for BIS Certification?

Any organization or MSME engaged in providing manufacture, assembly or service, having incorporated in India or abroad can apply for BIS Certification with the documents authenticating name and address of the organization. Apart from this following criteria must be met:

• Must be an incorporated company or MSME.
• Must have a manufacturing facility, assembly line etc
• Must have all the required documents and certifications before applying for BIS Certification
• Must have the required and up-to-date machinery before applying. 

What are the Benefits of BIS Certification?

Obtaining a online BIS Certificate provides numerous benefits both for consumers as well as for manufacturers. These include: 

• Adherence to quality standards during manufacturing.
• Provides authenticity to BIS-certified products, signifying high-quality, durability, performance and reliability.
• Minimizes environmental risks by restricting certain chemicals and materials under prescribed norms.
• Involves testing product samples in BIS laboratories to ensure quality inspection and high-quality products.

What are Types of BIS Certifications?

There are various types of BIS registration schemes as follows: 

• ISI Mark Scheme Registration for Domestic Manufacturers: Manufacturers of products requiring compulsory BIS certification (Scheme-I) must follow the normal or simplified registration procedure. Products eligible for simple registration should be registered accordingly. After receiving the BIS certification application, the BIS officials will conduct a preliminary factory evaluation. The process shall include collection of Samples , testing and obtaining an independent testing report. If the products meet the prescribed quality standards, the BIS certification/license is provided. Under this scheme, license is issued within 4 to 6 months after submission of registration application.
• Registration Under Simplified Procedure for Domestic Manufacturers: This process grants BIS certification within 30 days of application submission. The manufacturers of the products listed under the simplified procedure need to mandatorily apply for BIS certification under the simplified procedure. He/She needs to submit the registration application, along with the necessary documents, self-evaluation reports and test reports of product samples tested in approved labs to the respective BIS officials. If the documents and reports are correct and the test report meets the standard requirements, the official will verify the factory and grant BIS certification within 30 days of submission of the application.
• ECO Mark Scheme Registration: It is granted to environmentally friendly products under this scheme, offering an 'ECO' logo alongside the ISI mark. It signifies compliance with environmental criteria and Indian Standards. The process to obtain ECO Mark is somewhat similar to normal and simplified registration procedure. Manufacturers already having BIS certification need to only apply for ECO Mark. 
• Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS): Overseas applicants and foreign manufacturers can obtain BIS certification within six months under this scheme for products covered by the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) and compulsory BIS certification (Scheme-I). Setting up a branch office in India and nominating an agent are prerequisites.
• BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS): Introduced by MeitY, CRS mandates BIS certification for certain categories of electronics and information technology goods. Manufacturers must adhere to Indian Standards and bear the standard mark with a BIS unique registration number.

What is BIS Registration Process?

The BIS certification process includes licensing and surveillance stages. The following steps are involved under the licensing process:

• The manufacturers submit the application for registration
• The BIS officials shall verify documents and visit the factory for a preliminary inspection
• After the inspection testing of product samples is carried out. 
• After completion of the evaluation process, the BIS official shall derive the final result. 
• After the inspection process, the inspecting officer will carry out the surveillance process of complete survey of the factory premises. The following steps are carried out under the surveillance process:
• The inspecting authority will visit the factory to verify the test results
• The samples are send to independent labs
• The test report will give feedback or brief on the investigation
• After this a performance review report will be prepared
• BIS license is granted after examining all the reports 

What is BIS certification list of Products?

BIS certification covers a wide range of products, with some falling under compulsory certification (Scheme-I), some under voluntary certification and some under mandatory certification as prescribed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Below is the description and list of products:

• Compulsory Certification: This list comprises a total of 484 products. Some of the products include cement, household electrical products, batteries, auto accessories, kitchen appliances, ACs, cables, electric toys, aluminium foil, safety glass, paper, cattle feed, helmet, milk powder, feeding bottles, natural mineral water, caustic soda, acetic acid, methanol Ether, polycarbonate, palm fatty acids, rice bran fatty acids, footwear, copper, nickel etc. 
• Scheme II: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and few other ministries have mandated compulsory BIS registration for specific electronics and information technology goods under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which includes 73 products like video games, laptops, plasma/LED/LCD Tv, Microwave Ovens, Printers, Scanners, Electronic Keyboards, Set Top Box, ,UPS/Inverter, Mobiles, POS machines, CCTV Cameras, smart watches, wireless listening devices etc.
• Voluntary BIS certification: This list includes those products where manufacturers themselves showcase their product's high quality and adherence to standards. 

What are the Documents Required for BIS Certification?

Below is the list of documents required:

• Proof of office and factory
• Establishment documents for the manufacturing unit like Incorporation Certificate etc
• Factory layout plan
• MSME/SSI certificate (if applicable)
• Machinery list and details
• Manufacturing process flow which shall cover all processes of manufacture
• Outsourcing details (if applicable)
• Testing facilities and equipment list
• Calibration certificates for testing equipment
• Third-party laboratory test reports (if applicable)
• In-house or independent test reports (if applicable)
• Authorization letter
• Nomination details of Indian agent for foreign manufacturers

What is the Validity of BIS Certification?

BIS certification is initially valid for two years and can be renewed if the product and standards remain unchanged. Renewed certificates are valid for one to five years. Apka Tax provides an end-to-end seamless solution for BIS Certification.

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