Overview: Plugs and Sockets

Electric equipment is connected to the alternating current (AC) mains electricity power supply in buildings and other locations via AC power plugs and sockets. Voltage and current ratings, shape, size, and connector type all change amongst electrical plugs and sockets. Plugs and sockets are utilised in a variety of ways around the world.In the 1880s, plugs and sockets for portable equipment were introduced to replace light sockets with wall-mounted outlets. A plethora of sorts have been developed for convenience as well as safety from electrical damage. There are around 20 varieties in widespread usage now, and numerous outdated socket types can be found in older structures. Some types of plugs may now be used over vast regions to ease trade in electrical appliances and for the convenience of travellers and consumers of imported electrical items thanks to the coordination of technical standards.

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ISI Registration Process for Plugs and Sockets:

Any manufacturer/ importer willing to get their product registered with the ISI scheme of BIS, has to follow predefined procedure from the department which includes product testing, application filling, inspection and application scrutiny.

ISI simple means Indian standards institute which has been setup to lay standards to maintain the integrity and know about the genuine nature of industrial item. It is a certified mark that ensures that the industrial and consumer good is of good quality and is safe to use. It is a well-known and recognized certification mark that verifies the quality of an industrial good in India. ISI comes with two schemes of registration that is mandatory and voluntary registration

The ISI mark is crucial for the certification of goods for the purpose of sale in India and is mandatory. To be able to qualify for ISI Certification the BIS criteria must be duly met by the requisite manufacturing company.

As per the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, the product is subject to fetching certificate to be able to provide assurance to the consumer or third party with respect to safety, quality and reliability of the product.

The appearance of the BIS certification mark, also known as the Standard Mark (ISI Mark), on a product guarantees that it complies with the specifications. After ascertaining compliance to the Norm, the manufacturer is required to self-certify the licensed items.

The Bureau keeps a close eye on the quality of certified products through its surveillance operations. Surveillance of the licensee's output is carried out at regular intervals, with surprise inspections and testing of samples taken from either the marketplace or the factory premises. 

Product Testing: The product for which the ISI license is required, needs to be tested in any BIS recognized Lab as per the designated Indian Standard. The test request must be generated from the manak online portal to any BIS Recognized Lab for the designated standard. 

The lab performs all the test as per the testing parameters mentioned under the Indian standard and generated the test report. The same reports are uploaded by the LAB on the manak online portal, using which the applicant files the application.

Application filling: Once the test reports are uploaded by the Lab on the manak online portal, the applicant can fill the application form with respect to the test report generated. It is mandatory to upload all the mandatory documents as prescribed by the department in the respective fields along with all the details asked in the online application. Once all the details and documents are uploaded online, the applicant required to pay the respective fees to the department to finally submit the file.

Department Scrutiny and Inspection: Post submission of online application to the department. The BIS officials will check and verify all the documents and details submitted by the applicant. Also, the authenticity of the uploaded test report is checked along with the test results. 

In case department required any clarification or additional documents, the same needs to be furnished before the allotted inspection dates. Once all the submitted documents and details satisfies the scrutiny officer, an onsite factory inspection is conducted by the inspecting officer where all the documents are verified in hardcopy and the manufacturing and testing procedure is verified.

Grant of License: Post satisfactory onsite inspection, the inspecting officer submits the inspection report to the certification officer with all the observations. 

The certification officer validates the online submitted details with the one checked during inspection. On the basis of the same the final license is granted to the applicant in the form of CM/L (Certification of Manufacturing License) number.

Post-grant of certificate the manufacturer can use the ISI logo as a marking of quality assurance on its product for which the applicant pays the marking fees to the department. For the first year the marking fees is paid in advance to the department. For the consecutive years, the fees is paid according to the production figures done by the manufacturer in that particular year. Also the license is valid for 1 year only, post which the applicant has to apply for renewal of license. 

Step by Step Procedure for ISI Certification:

The ISI certification process is majorly categorized into 7 steps. The entire lifecycle of the ISI application is briefly depicted in the figure below,

The entire certification process takes at least 3 to 4 weeks post submission of application. However the testing timeline depends upon the product for which the ISI application is applied for. The testing timeline varies as per the product and its complexity. 

Our operations and liasioning team makes sure to squeeze down the above stated timeline of the certification process by taking regular follow-ups with the department and doing timely replies in case of any concern is raised by the department. Also, our team provide onsite assistance at the time of factory inspection and ensures every aspect is in compliance with the BIS ISI norms and regulations to avoid any query or re inspection.