ISI Certification (BIS) for
Electric Immersion Water Heaters- IS 368 in India

BIS CERTIFICATION FOR ELECTRIC IMMERSION WATER HEATERS -IS 368

1. Introduction to Indian Standard IS 368, Electric Immersion Water Heaters

IS 368 covers electric immersion water heaters. This standard specifies the manufacturing, chemical and physical requirements and testing of electric immersion water heaters. This standard has been formulated in a way which directs manufacturers of “electric immersion water heaters” products and specifies the standards for safety and performance requirements for electric immersion water heaters.

General requirement and Particular requirements- IS 302-1: 2008 & 2007 - Safety of household and similar electrical appliances respectively.  Also Specifies the marking requirements for the appliances, including the necessity for clear instructions regarding usage, maintenance, and safety.

IS 368 specifies the safety and quality parameters or characteristics of the Electric water heater as follows:

1. Resistance to Rusting
2. does not emit harmful radiation or toxins
3. Can resist heat, fire, and tracking, maintaining safety in various conditions.
4. Clearances, Creepage Distances, and Solid Insulation
5. Screws and connections to ensure they remain secure and reliable
6. terminals used for external connections
7. to ensure the appliance is properly grounded, reducing the risk of electric shock.
8. moisture resistance requirements to ensure safe operation in environments where moisture might be present.
9. to handle transient overvoltage that could occur during operation.
10. Outlines the tests to measure leakage current and electric strength to ensure safety at operating temperatures.

 2. Mandate for ISI Mark Certification of Electric Immersion Water Heaters IS 368:

Under section 14 of Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 (63 of 1986), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade after consulting the Bureau of Indian Standards has issued the Quality control order.

As per the Quality control order, all the manufacturers electric immersion water heaters are obligated to obtain ISI Mark Certification as Obtaining the ISI/BIS Certification is a mandatory requirement for manufacturers of Electric Immersion Water Heaters to sell their products in the Indian market.

3. Types of Electric Immersion Water Heaters covered under IS 368 

 IS 368 applies to AC single phase or DC portable electric immersion water heaters equipped with a flexible cord and connector predesigned for water heating functionality. However, this standard does not include electric immersion water heaters with built-in thermostats.

4. Procedure to obtain BIS Certification of Electric Immersion Water Heaters to use ISI mark as per IS 368

·       For Indian Manufacturers (Standard Timeframe – 30 days)

·       For Foreign Manufacturers (Standard Timeframe – 180 days)

5. Requisites to get the BIS license for Electric Immersion Water Heaters

·       Conformity requirement specifications as per IS 368

·       In-house testing laboratory for mandatory tests

·       Competent Quality Control Personnel

·       Adherence to the BIS guidelines for Electric immersion water heaters as per Indian standard IS 368

·       There are 4 major categories of document required to get the BIS license:

a.   Administrative Details

b.   Technical Details

c.    Quality Control Personnel Details

d.   Commercial Details

6. Expenses involved in obtaining BIS certificate for Electric Immersion Water Heaters as per IS 368 under the Product Certification (Scheme-I) of BIS:

For Indian Manufacturers
No. | Major Charges |   | Amount | Remark
1. | BIS Fee | Application Fees | INR 1000 | To be paid in BIS A/c directly. 20% rebate on Marking Fee for MSME units.
Audit Charges | INR 7000
License Fee | INR 1000
Marking Fee | Not Decided
2. | Testing Charges | Sample Test Fee | As Applicable | To be paid into BIS approved Lab A/c
3. | ERCS Service Fee | Consultancy & others | As per actual, (Depending upon the product and the region of factory)

For the Foreign Manufacturers
No. | Major Charges | Particulars | Amount | Remark
1. | BIS Fee | Application Fees | USD 30 | To be paid into BIS A/c directly in USD (SWIFT). SAARC countries can pay in INR with GST@18% 
Audit Charges
(consolidated) | USD 3200 to USD 5900
License Fee | USD 30
Marking Fee | Not Decided  
2. | Testing Charges | Sample Test Fee | As applicable | To be paid into BIS approved Lab A/c
3. | ERCS Service Fee | Consultancy & other charges | As per actual, (Depending upon the product and the location of mfg.)

In the certification process, product testing is the most important stage as it determines whether the quality of the product meets Indian standards. For the same purpose, investments in testing facilities are required to install test equipment for internal factory test laboratories. Apart from charges mentioned above in the table, we may ask you to pay/reimbursement for a Pre-Visit at your Factory Premises to ensure the conformity of your product as per the relevant Indian Standard & BIS guidelines for its BIS certification.

7. Why Choose ERCS Pvt Ltd for Electric Immersion Water Heaters BIS certification: 

 To get BIS certification and produce a standard quality product, the manufacturer must ensure that their product must follow the specified Indian Standard Specifications (ISS) which we directly interpret to you from the BIS officials as per the Indian Standards. ERCS Private Limited will be your friend, philosopher and guide in the whole process of getting your product certified by the concerned authorities/ departments.

   We have expertise in both-

•         BIS certification services for Indian Manufacture
•         FMCS BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturer

·       Scope of work by ERCS Private Limited:

A.     Ensuring the conformity of your product as per IS 368:

ERCS Pvt. Ltd. has developed a vast network within the Electric appliances Industry various BIS departments to assist in ensuring conformity of the product Electric immersion water heater according IS 368.

B.     Effective documentation with the awareness of the BIS guidelines:

To facilitate the manufacturing industry in obtaining BIS certifications, guidelines have been developed. Our team has the experience of completing over 150 projects and technically competent acquaintances in various Industries.

We are familiar with the Indian Standard Specifications & BIS guidelines and deliver the most suitable interpretation to the Quality Control Personnel so we can do reliable and effective documentation of your product in accordance with the BIS guidelines.

C.      A pre-visit can be paid at your factory premises:

In the process of getting BIS certification, the officer from the BIS authority visits the factory for inspection. To get good results, the BIS inspection should go smoothly without any non-conformity. By keeping this goal in mind, our team will organize a pre-visit to your factory premises so that the required changes can be adapted to remove the elements of fallibility.

D.     Assistance for BIS audits:

We will explain the whole procedure of conducting a BIS inspection and make you aware of the things which need to be prepared and readily available at the time of inspection.

Benefits of getting ISI Mark for Electric Immersion Water Heaters to sell in Indian Market with our help

• The term “ISI mark" means that a certain product conforms to the quality standards set up by the government.
• It is compulsory for electric immersion water heater manufacturers to obtain the ISI Mark and the violators are penalized with the material seized and a significant sum as fine.
•  Getting certification improves the probability of your product to survive and compete in the market.
• Customers have the tendency to buy ISI certified products as it ensures safety and standard quality. Hence, with certified products you can win the confidence and trust of the buyer.
• With the word of mouth of such a client list, you can establish your credibility in the market.
• Hence with renowned brands, you can raise the standard and benchmark the market value of the product.