What is BIS Certification in India

•  24 Jan, 2025
•  ISI Certification (BIS)

Indian markets are flooded with new competitors every day. To showcase your manufactured products, it is important to prove your goods are high in quality. To simplify this, the Indian government has passed certain laws regarding the safety and reliability of the product. BIS certification is a regulatory compliance certificate that ensures that the given commodities have surpassed stringent testing procedures and are well-suited to be used by consumers. This enhances the relationship between the manufacturers and the users by tying them in a thread of trust. BIS License also expands the producer's market ventures, resulting in the growth and proliferation of their companies.

What is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certification in India?

BIS Certification is the system of regulatory compliance in India that ensures that products are safe, of high quality, and reliable. Being governed by the BIS Act, it fixes standards for numerous commodities and thoroughly tests them to verify conformity. These certified goods can be identified bearing the mark ISI, which carries the message of trust and quality. Some of the other products, however, are optional for certification, including electrical appliances and toys, while others have mandatory certification. A BIS certificate increases consumer confidence, supports expansion in the market, and provides adherence to government regulations between manufacturers and users.

Types of BIS Licensing

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certification offers different types of certificates for various industries. They are:

1. Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme
2. Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme (ISI Mark)
3. Compulsory Registration Scheme
4. BIS Scheme X Certification
5. Eco mark
   
   

Let us understand all the above certifications in brief:

1. Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS): This certification for import is designed for foreign manufacturers and applicants who, after a separate certification process, are authorized to use the ISI mark within six months. The program's goal is to make it easier for international producers to have their goods certified, guaranteeing that they meet Indian norms and specifications. 
   
   
2. Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme (ISI Mark): The Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme, or ISI Mark, certifies Indian products as safe and of good quality, as mandated by the safety and quality standards set by BIS. This is a compulsion for some products, like cement, packaged water, and electrical appliances, but not the case for others. Consumer trust and credibility, along with respect for Indian laws, are gained through the ISI brand.
   
   
3. Compulsory Registration Scheme: CRS falls under BIS and involves a specific requirement that mandates the registration of manufacturers of products in certain electronics and IT products. Examples include mobile phones, LED lights, and laptops. After being certified by BIS, products have to comply with safety standards in India and bear the BIS mark. The Compulsory Registration Scheme aids consumers in safety as well as assures quality compliance of the products imported and sold into India.
4. BIS Scheme X Certification: Scheme X certification is handled by the Ministry of Heavy Industries for low-voltage switchgear and control gear. By comparison, manufacturers of machinery and electrical equipment need to seek certification under the Omnibus Technical Regulation to win customers' confidence and trust in the Indian marketplace. They can not only give assurance that their products comply with government regulations but also raise customer confidence significantly.
5. Eco Mark: This mark is a certificate scheme offered under the auspices of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It features the use of environmentally friendly products. The products that obtain this mark correspond to the Indian Standards quality requirements along with other environment-specific criteria. The mark means the product has negligible harmful impacts during its production, usage, and disposal on the environment.
   
   

Products Under the BIS Certification Scheme

Few BIS mandatory products have to achieve the BIS Certificate. Such comprises Mobile phones, LED lights, Milk powder, Clinical thermometers, surgical gloves, etc.

Benefits of Obtaining the BIS Certification

The BIS License indicates that the product meets the government's quality standards. It increases the probability of survival and survival in the market for your product. Customers will more readily choose ISI-marked products because they provide both safety and standard quality. Thus, with the provision of certified products, you can rely on the faith and confidence of the buyer. Here is the list of considerations:

1. The steel requirements :  Meet requirements of the Indian standard for structural quality, and, therefore, quality assurance would be provided to both customers and regulatory bodies to prove that this product is passing through extensive testing and inspections.

2. Higher market acceptance: Many companies would prefer a product that is ISI accredited. Most government tenders for large construction projects require products that are ISI-accredited, increasing the chance for the firm.

3. Standard rules are followed: BIS certification ensures that IS is followed and safeguards any company from the penalties and legal problems associated with inferior building materials.

4. Competitive Advantage: The ISI mark serves as a nationwide emblem of excellence and reliability by differentiating companies and eventually attracting more clients.

5. Consumer confidence: The customer will have more trust in the BIS certificate as a reliability, quality, and safety symbol of the brand, improving the reputation and increasing customer loyalty.

6. Reduced risk and accountability: In cases where the certification reduces the chances of structural failures or issues with non-compliance, the manufacturers, suppliers, and end users become less concerned with accountability.

7. Production Cost Efficiency: IS makes manufacturing much more efficient and, at times, produces less waste and greater efficiency. Long-term costs will be reduced as a result.

The Procedure For BIS Registration

Manufacturers can make use of the following list to get BIS accreditation:

• Product Identification: Refer to the official website of BIS for the list of products that BIS requires
• Select the right Indian Standard (IS): To explain which IS standard applies to your commodities
• Manufacturer Registration: Provide BIS with the name, address, and product details of your manufacturing unit.

After getting the certificate, provide all the documentation, which may include test reports, manufacturing procedures, detailed product descriptions, etc.

• Test specimen: A specimen of the product is sent for testing in any BIS-approved laboratory. The tests can be conducted in-house by you if you possess some laboratory that is BIS-approved for such a test type, or else you can also have them done outside any facility that is BIS-approved.
• Inspection and Audit: BIS will inspect and audit your production facility to check whether the quality control procedures are followed or not.
• Grant of Certification: BIS will certify your product only if it meets IS criteria.
• Surveillance: To ensure continued compliance, BIS conducts surveillance of the implementing entity at regular intervals.
• Renewal: The validity of this certificate is for one to five years. Don't forget to renew your certificate before the due date.

Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) Roles

International applicants must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to conduct business in India to receive a BIS Bureau of Indian Standards Scheme X Certificate. In India, a local office is essential. AIR is responsible for managing and submitting certification applications as the local agent. You can also contact them with questions. When choosing an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), foreign companies must fulfil these rules:

Situation 1: An AIR officer will be matched with the liaison officer of a foreign manufacturer who maintains a branch office or liaison office in India.

Situation 2: The foreign producer has neither a branch office nor a liaison office in India. The brand or trademark in question is owned by AIR, a resident of India who is also the brand's registered user.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, BIS certification will give assurance that Indian-made commodities are better, reliable, and safe to use. Strict laws support growth in markets as well as legal adherence, which boosts manufacturer as well as consumer trust. BIS certification gives legal protection and increases the authenticity of a product, besides providing competitive advantages and boosting consumer confidence. This is because it enables companies to respect rules, helps improve the reputation of their brands, and facilitates the creation of a more sustainable and safe marketplace. BIS must verify manufacturers appropriately.