What is the BIS Scheme X certification? - All you need to know

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced Scheme X, which covers low-voltage switchgear and control gear products.  Moreover, this scheme is further streamlined by BIS Conformity Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, 2022, to be more aligned with international standards. In this article, we examine the key aspects of Scheme X, how it works, and the implications for manufacturers and consumers. Additionally, it enhances the reliability of electrical systems and protects users and infrastructure. Scheme X ensures that LV switchgear products meet safety and quality standards for their customers.

Overview of BIS Scheme X Certification in India

BIS Scheme X is an initiative intended to enhance regulatory specifications. The effort to improve trust in low-voltage switchgear and control gear products and other electrical and industrial equipment. This ensures that there is no distraction from the items mentioned earlier, which can enhance equipment performance, reliability, and safety. 

Ultimately, this could help prevent deaths in electrical switchgear and control devices and promote consumer safety. It will provide an avenue for compliance across industry lines, creating a safer market and prompting manufacturers to continue to uphold better quality. So, obtaining BIS certification under scheme X is mandatory for manufacturers.

Importance of BIS Scheme X for Product Manufacturers.

Below are some of the key reasons for the importance of BIS Scheme X Certification: 

Market Access - Manufacturers who wish to sell products in India will need these BIS approvals. Without a BIS approval, products cannot enter the Indian Market. As a result of this lack of compliance, business opportunities are lost.  

Standard Compliance - BIS scheme X certification confirms the product is compliant with IS/IEC standards. In this case, it makes sure that low-voltage switchgear, along with other electrical equipment and machinery is safe for use.  

Public Confidence - The BIS certification is proof of quality, safety, reliability, and trust. The marks ensure that the product meets the high bar set by government standards. Hence, improving regard, acceptance in the marketplace, and trust.  

Regulatory Compliance - BIS Scheme X markings mandate that low voltage switchgear and many other types of electrical equipment and apparatus produced in India be certified. Not obtaining the ISI marks may result in penalties, such as fines, legal challenges, or the inability to sell the product. This means that the benefits of certification not only can help avert possible consequences but also satisfy the Government of India’s requirements for the product standard.

Products covered under the BIS Registration Scheme X

Below is a table showing the equipment types that must obtain a BIS Scheme X Certificate under the scheme: 

Low-voltage switchgear and control gear—Notified by Ministry of Heavy Industries

Machinery and Electrical Equipment — covered under the Omnibus Technical Regulation

APPLICABLE STANDARDS for  Machinery and Electrical Equipment: Type A Standard IS 16189:2018/ ISO 12100:2010 (Safety of Machinery General Principles for Design - Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction) and related type B and type C Standards are stated in the order S.O. 3649 (E) dated August 28, 2024.

What are the requirements for a BIS Scheme-X license?

To be granted a BIS Scheme X Certification, the manufacturer of the product must ensure that the product complies with the relevant Indian Standards (IS), has the appropriate factory production capability, adequate process controls, and quality control/testing capabilities, and submit a complete technical file as part of the application process. Here is a further breakdown of the requirements:

1. Compliance of the product with Indian Standards (IS): 

The product must conform to all requirements within the relevant Indian Standard (IS). The manufacturer must choose the applicable Indian Standard from a list of acceptable Indian Standards during the application process. Testing must occur in a laboratory that is BIS-approved to verify that the product is compliant with the required standards.

2. Manufacturing Facilities and Production Capabilities:

Manufacturers are required to have the necessary manufacturing facilities, appropriate process controls as well as quality control and testing capabilities for the product. This includes having the relevant equipment and people to ensure that the appropriate quality is maintained and the product remains compliant with the standards.

Step-by-Step Process for Obtaining BIS Scheme X Certification.

The initial phase in the process for the BIS Scheme X Certificate involves testing all samples. This testing may occur within a BIS Laboratory or a BIS-accredited third-party laboratory like ERCS Private Limited. This is one of the top BIS Consultants in India. The testing will take no longer than 30 days. It is very important to note that all products that will be included in the certification process (including any of the subcontracted facilities that the applicant outlines), must be tested.  The steps for Scheme X certification for domestic and foreign producers are listed below:

BIS Scheme X Certification Process for Domestic Manufacturers

To number a BIS license under scheme X, which is applied by domestic manufacturers, the following steps must be taken: 

• The first task in applying for a BIS license under scheme X is to research and collect the required information.  
• After this, the application and required application fee must be submitted to the BIS.  
• After the applicant is evaluated, the BIS may request additional documentation or ask the manufacturers for clarification.  
• Manufacturers pay the BIS audit fees, and then the BIS assigns auditors to conduct the factory audit. 
• The auditor will collect samples and perform a thorough audit of the manufacturing facility. If required, the necessary samples will be sent for testing at a BIS-accredited laboratory.  
• The samples will be evaluated against relevant Indian Standards in the designated lab.  After the audit and testing is complete, the manufacturer is required to make a judgment directly with the BIS for payment.  
• When the payment is made to the BIS and approved, the BIS can issue the license, permitting the manufacturer to apply the standard mark. 
• According to current practices, the entire process typically takes about Ninety (90) working days.

BIS Scheme X Certification Process for Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers undergo a certification process like domestic manufacturers; however, there are significant differences in the logistics involved because the product is located overseas. 

The process can be broken down into the following steps:

• All the necessary paperwork must be submitted to meet BIS needs. The application is filled out, and the necessary application fee is submitted to BIS. 
• This is currently an offline process; you need to submit two hard copies to the BIS. The application is reviewed by BIS, and if there are questions, they will ask the manufacturer for clarification or additional documentation.
• The BIS will assign an auditor to inspect the factory; the manufacturer will submit payment to the BIS for the audit.
• The factory audit will take place, with a full inspection of the facility by a BIS auditor. A sample is taken from the factory and shipped to a BIS-accepted lab for testing (if required by BIS).
• The lab will conduct testing on the samples to ensure compliance with applicable Indian standards, and the manufacturer will pay the lab directly for testing costs. (Note: Some tests may be sent to an outside lab if testing is required.)
• After a successful audit and testing, there are technical file fees, marking
• After a successful audit and testing, technical file fees, marking (if applicable), and license fees are paid to the BIS.
• Once all conditions are met and fees paid, the BIS issues the license for the manufacturer to use.

What are the Eligibility Criteria Under the BIS Scheme X Certification?

Under the BIS Scheme X certification, eligibility requirements include the following: Indian Standards: 

The scheme is available to both Indian and International manufacturers. However, the manufacturer must make switchgear items such as circuit breakers and switches.  Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative who can apply for the BIS certificate from outside India. 

• Manufacturers: Manufacturers must have quality assurance and testing capabilities. Products may also require evaluation in a BIS-accredited laboratory. 
• Testing: There are standard inspections of the manufacturing site by officials at BIS. 
• Factory Inspection: Compliance with respective Indian Standards is required. IS/IEC 60947 provides applicable quality, safety, and performance standards for switchgear/control gear items. Furthermore, Type B and Type C standards for all varieties of machinery and electrical devices will need to be attained through this scheme. 
• Documentation & Application: Manufacturers will need to submit a comprehensive amount of documentation with the certificate applications. The comprehensive amount of documentation includes specifications, descriptions, test results, and compliance records.

What are the fees for a BIS Scheme X certificate?

Here you can see the BIS Certification cost under Scheme-X in the table given below:

Technical Requirements Under BIS Scheme X

• Standards Compliance: Every machine or electrical equipment listed in the First Schedule must comply with the relevant Indian Standards as outlined below:
• Type A Standards: IS 16819:2018/ISO 12100:2010 (Safety of Machinery—General Principles for Design: Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction)
• Type B Standards: As specified in the Second Schedule
• Type C Standards: As specified in the Third Schedule. 

Note: If a Type C standard differs from one or more technical provisions of the Type A or Type B standards, the Type C standard shall take precedence.

Labelling and Marking Criteria: The First Schedule machinery and electrical evaluations must have requisite labels and markings as specified in Scheme X of the Conformity Assessment Regulations. This requires considered safety instructions or symbols to be labelled or marked on the equipment. 

Requirement for Technical File: It is a mandatory requirement that the technical file requirements in Scheme X of the Conformity Assessment Regulations are fulfilled.

Requirement for Certificate: The First Schedule machinery and electrical evaluations must either have the standard marking (under a license granted from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)), or have a Certificate of Conformity if not manufactured continuously, as is required in the Scheme X of the Conformity Assessment Regulations.

Impact of BIS Scheme X on Import of Products

BIS Scheme X, which deals with machinery and electrical equipment, requires certifications for imports for them to comply with Indian requirements, meaning they are safe and reliable for users. This obligates the imports to meet India's safety and quality standards, which ultimately increases consumer confidence. Scheme X also acts as a trade facilitator through market accessibility and potentially limits liability. The following explains further about the implications of BIS Scheme X in regards to Imports:

Through a regulatory scheme, certification is required for certain products:

Scope: Scheme X (under the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024 ) addresses imports of machinery and electrical equipment to consumers (ex, pumps, compressors, centrifuges, cranes, transformers, and switchgear). 

Requirement: As specified in Scheme X, manufacturers or importers of certain products must obtain a BIS certification ( license vs a Certificate of Conformity - CoC ) before being able to enter India's market. 

Compliance: This would have the effect that specified product imports have been confirmed to meet stringent, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliant safety and quality.