How to get a BIS Scheme X Certificate? Complete Process Explained

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a key institution that ensures products are highly qualified, safe, and best for customers. This agreement guarantees that products are up to the government’s standards for safety and technology. Scheme X, brought under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) conformity assessment regulations, 2018, is a changing point in India’s product certification regulation system.

BIS scheme X certification is a crucial step for manufacturers who wish to gain compliance with national and international quality standards. The certification is vital for industries that work with low-voltage switchgear, machinery, control gear, and electrical equipment. This blog will provide you with complete information on How to get a BIS Scheme X Certificate.

What is Scheme X certification?

The Bureau of Indian Standards launched Scheme-X certification, which aims at the quality and safety of products with low-voltage switchgear, control gear, machinery, and electrical equipment. Several key characteristics of Scheme X include:

• Mandatory compliance with the Indian IS 60947 for control gears/switch gears, IS 16189: 2018/ISO 12100:2010 along with applicable Type-B and Type-C standard omnibus technical regulation for all types of
• Machinery and electrical equipment
• Significant advancement in safety 
• Quality of switchgear/control gears, machinery, and electrical equipment 
• Improved surveillance and monitoring 

Under this scheme, manufacturers can obtain a license to demonstrate that their products comply with specific requirements. These requirements are detailed in the relevant standards or essential specifications for the product, or both.

BIS Scheme X Certification Process

The applicant who wants the BIS Scheme X Certificate first must test their samples. They have two options to test their samples in BIS Labs or BIS-authorized third-party laboratories accredited by BIS. It will be a 30 days process. It is vital to ensure that the testing is completed for all the products for certification, including any subcontracted facilities specified by the applicant. Below you can go through the procedure for BIS scheme-x certification for domestic and foreign manufacturers:

BIS Scheme X Certification for Domestic Manufacturers

Domestic manufacturers applying for BIS under Scheme X must take several steps:

• The first step is to research and gather the applicable documentation for applying for a BIS license under scheme X  
• The BIS then must receive the application form with the required application fee
• BIS needs to review the application and request clarification from the manufacturer or obtain additional documentation
• The BIS next identifies the auditor for factory inspection so that the manufacturer can remit payment to BIS for audit fees
• The auditor will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the manufacturing facility and perform sample collection. The samples will be sent to a BIS-recognized laboratory for testing (if required)
• The samples will be tested according to the applicable Indian Standards in the designated laboratory (if required)
• After the audit and testing, the manufacturer will remit payment to BIS for the required technical file fees, marking fees, if applicable, and license fees
• BIS will grant the license, which allows the manufacturer to utilize the Standard Mark, once both criteria are met payment is made to BIS, and a license is issued
• Per current practices, the entire process generally requires approximately ninety working days.

BIS Scheme X Certification for Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers follow a certification procedure that is similar to the one used by domestic manufacturers; however, there are many important differences in the logistics with which the product is located overseas. The stages of the process are as follows:

1. All the needed documentation needs to be prepared to meet BIS requirements. The application is filled in and submitted along with the necessary application fee to BIS. This process is currently offline; you need two hard copies to submit to BIS. 

2. The application is reviewed by the BIS, and if there are questions, they may require the manufacturer to provide clarifying information or additional documents.

3. BIS appoints an auditor to inspect the factory, and the manufacturer pays the audit payment to BIS.

4. The factory audit occurs for a full inspection of the facility by a BIS auditor. The sample is taken and shipped to a BIS-accepted laboratory for testing (if required by BIS).

5. The laboratory tests the samples according to applicable Indian standards. The manufacturer is required to pay the laboratory for testing costs directly. (Note: Some tests may be outsourced to a specific lab if testing is required).

6. After a successful audit and testing, technical file fees, marking (if applicable), and license fees are paid to the BIS.

7. Once all conditions are met and fees are paid, the BIS issues the license for the manufacturer to use.

BIS Scheme X Audit Process

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Scheme X audit process involves the on-site inspection of manufacturers' factory premises, verification of manufacturing processes, testing infrastructure, and evaluating the product manufacturer’s in-house laboratory. Here you can get the breakdown of the BIS Scheme X Certification audit process:

1. Application & Documentation: The manufacturers need to submit the required documents to the BIS authority. The list of documents that are required can be found in the Product Manual of the concerned product.

2. On-Site Audit: There is an on-site audit by a BIS officer at the factory site of the manufacturer. The audit confirms the production process, testing facility, and the capability of the manufacturer to perform the tests. The audit also involves a review of the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) document.

3. Testing and Compliance: BIS accepts type tests from BIS-recognized labs, and third-party BIS-recognized laboratories' test reports can be used as well, provided the report is not more than a year old as of the submission of the application.

4. Grant of License: If the audit and testing are completed successfully, the BIS authority can issue a license for the product under Scheme X. The standard mark will bear the license number and Indian Standard reference.

Conclusion

BIS Scheme X Certification is a necessary compliance; this certification confirms the product meets the Indian quality and safety standard. Allowing it to be sold in the Indian market. With Scheme X certification under the BIS Testing and Certification scheme, manufacturers will improve their credibility in the market, ensure consumer safety, and prevent regulatory enforcement against them.

ERCS Private Limited provides a complete BIS consultancy service that ensures business organizations will achieve and sustain BIS compliance with professional assistance. Following the process and payment schedule of Scheme X facilitates compliance for manufacturers and provides a seamless certification experience to access the Indian market.