BIS Registration

The Bureau of Indian Standards, referred to as BIS, is the national standards body of India. It was established in 1986 under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act. BIS ensures the quality and safety of goods and services in India. In 2012 Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) was introduced by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), now called the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), along with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Under this scheme, manufacturers must register their products before launching them in the Indian market.

BIS Registration is essential for all electronic products listed in Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). All manufacturers (whether foreign or Indian) need to apply for this registration to Import the product in India or to make sales in the Indian market. In India, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology needs the obligatory certificate for 77 electronic products such as audio and video, IT equipment, mobile phones, smart card readers, and other similar gadgets. Hence, every foreign manufacturer of these products is required to obtain a BIS license to export products to India. Consequently, if the foreign manufacturer operates in the Indian market without the BIS license, the manufacturer would be penalized under the BIS Act.

The BIS Registration Product Scheme is one of the largest in the world, with more than 26500 licenses spanning over 900 items. It allows the company to utilize the well-known ISI Mark on their products, confirming the purity and healthiness of the product. The BIS Registration product system includes a scheme for Foreign Manufacturers Certification, allowing them to use the BIS standard mark upon licensing.

Role of BIS Registration: 

• The very first role of the BIS lies in providing national standards that must be contemporary and user-friendly. These national standards must pay due attention to technological developments and focus on the consumers' interests. National trade must be considered equally while the national standards are formulated.
• Secondly, the BIS must ensure that it actively participates when formulating International standards. This should be done to provide backing so that the Indian interests are kept in mind and given due weightage. Moreover, it is done to make sure that the Indian standards are harmonized well under the realm of any scheme.
• Next in line, concerning the objective of the Bureau of Indian Standards, is that the branch offices must be given due regard and be seen as the focal points of the organization.
• BIS also entails the role of improving its brand image, thereby increasing brand value. Necessary measures must have resorted to giving effect to it.
• BIS must ensure that the Web-enabling is done about the Certification Marks Management System.
• Further, the BIS is required to ensure that all its associated laboratories are well taken care of. It can range from the need to upgrade the laboratories to streamlining its functioning.
• It is to be ensured by the BIS that the appropriate work is being done so that productivity is increased. 
• The BIS must make efforts in the direction of intensified training. The training is required in various fields with a particular focus on the norms related to standardization and the aspects of the BIS india certification. The field of testing must be given due attention.
• BIS must oversee the implementation of the schemes from time to time.
• It should be noted that with regard to the working of the BIS, IT tools must be introduced to enhance the overall processing.

A BIS registration certificate is granted to manufacturer ‘A’ of that particular product ‘B’ being manufactured at site ‘C’ under brand ‘D’. In case any of the 4 factors change, a new application for a BIS certificate in India is to be applied with BIS. The four important factors for BIS registration are 

• Manufacturer: The BIS license is only granted to the manufacturer of the applied product. The importer, trader, retailer, etc., are not eligible for the license. However, they can act as their representative in India if the manufacturer doesn't have their liaisoning office in India. But the license is issued in the name of the manufacturer only. 
• Manufacturer Address: The license is granted to the manufacturer for a particular site address. In case the address of the manufacturer changes, a new license is to be applied for. 

Or in case the manufacturer has one or more manufacturing addresses for the manufacturing of the same device, separate licenses are applied with BIS.

• Product Category: If a manufacturer is manufacturing more than one product, then he has to apply a separate license application for each product category. For example, a manufacturer who manufactures mobile phones and adapters both has to file 2 separate applications with BIS.
• Brand: A manufacturer/OEM who is manufacturing the same product for more than one brand has to apply for a separate license with BIS. For example, if a manufacturer is manufacturing batteries for brand ‘A’ and Brand ‘B’ has to apply for two separate licenses with the department.

The important benefits of the registration to the manufacturers and importers who want to establish their products in India do not limit themselves to mere compliance but stretch farther and wider with business growth and consumer faith. Some of the key benefits of its registration are listed below.

Legal Compliance:

• Mandatory Requirements: In the Compulsory Registration Scheme, Certain products require this certification to enter the market within India. The advantage accruable to meeting the BIS standards is that the national legislations are compiled and avoid fines and legal liabilities.

Increased Consumer Confidence:

• Quality Assurance: This national standard body certification represents that a product has been tested and evaluated to specific Indian standards. The assurance that accompanies quality and safety enhances consumer trust and confidence in the performance and reliability of a product.

Access to Markets and Acceptance:

• Entry into the Indian Market: Bureau of Indian Standards registration serves as an entry ticket into the vast market of India for manufacturers and importers. With the help of this mark, products can demonstrate credibility and ease of acceptance in the market by showing their compliance with established quality markers. 

Competitive Advantage:

• Product Differentiation: Products certified by it are identified by the Bureau of Indian Standards mark and are differentiated in the market from those without certification. This gives way to a predisposition that makes the customer prefer a certified product over a non-certified one.

International Recognition:

• Export Promotion: This national standard body is recognized globally and helps in export by compliance with the Indian standard guarantee. This increases the participation of Indian manufacturers in the international market; this ensures enhanced competitiveness.

Protection to the Consumer:

• Safety Assurance: Those BIS standards outline the safety of manufactured products in readiness to guarantee the interest of the consumer. A certificate by BIS dramatically reduces most of the risks related to the use of products that are substandard and not safe and, hence promotes public health and safety

Government Tenders/Contracts:

• Requirement in Procurement: Very often, BIS certification of India is also a requirement to be qualified to participate in central government tenders and contracts. Therefore, it would be, in the interest of procurement agencies across the board, - including government departments, that are particular about the quality assurance of their supplies.

Continuous Improvement and Sustainability:

• Quality Assurance Processes: BIS enables the betterment of manufacturing processes and products through its scheming condition that requires continuous certification. Quality Sustainability is a 'best practice' to be followed the world over as it also carries to the implementation of the purpose of long-term business sustainability.

Who Can Apply For BIS Registration?

The following entities can apply for BIS Certificate Registration of India:

• Any manufacturer, domestic or foreign willing to sell its product in the Indian market as notified in the scheme is eligible to apply for the license.
• Any existing manufacturer wishing to sell its products under a different brand can apply.
• Any existing manufacturer manufacturing its product from a different location is eligible to apply.

The Bureau of Indian Standards operates numerous product registration schemes designed to cover products manufactured, imported, or sold in India, which need to meet desired norms related to quality, safety, and performance. In simple words, they are product- and industry-oriented schemes, where a few are mandatory, and some others are voluntary. The different varieties of BIS registration schemes have been illustrated herein, as follows.

• Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS):-

Under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, certain categories of products shall be certified before their placing on the Indian market. The prime objectives of the CRS are the protection of the health and safety of consumers, the protection of the environment, and national security. It strongly points out that such product categories under the scheme:

Under this CRS, the devices shall have to comply with the relevant Indian standards and be tested and certified in the ACPI-registered laboratories by the concerned standards body. This will become a prerequisite for its sale or importation into India.

• VCS: Voluntary Certification Scheme

Under the Voluntary Certification Scheme, manufacturers get their products certified even when their products are not under any mandatory categories of regulation. VCS stimulates manufacturers to differentiate their products within the marketplace by showing compliance with relevant standards.

The products covered under VCS are:

• FMCS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme

Another development from foreign manufacturers is what is called the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme. This caters to manufacturers who are outside India and intend to export their products to the Indian market. FMCS states that foreign manufacturers may apply for certification of BIS either through an Authorized Indian Representative or by setting up a representative office of its own in India. Products under FMCS are in many categories: electronics, consumer goods, and industrial equipment. It facilitates international trade, ensures that imported products adhere to Indian standards, improves consumer safety, and helps in protecting national interests. FMCS helps to smooth out the process of certification of foreign manufacturers for adherence to Indian regulatory requirements for their products.

• Hallmarking Scheme for Gold and Silver Articles

This government body also runs the Hallmarking scheme, whereby gold and silver articles sold in India have their purity and fineness certified. Hallmarking means that a tested precious metal article, about defined standards for it, is certified to match the same. This scheme brings transparency to the market in these very noble metals, avoiding misrepresentation and fraudulent trade malpractices.

The above is carried out through assaying and hallmarking centers spread all over the country, accredited by the standards body. Hallmarking, if certified, will ensure that the consumer gets genuine, properly marked gold and silver items following the prescribed standards.

• Product Certification Scheme

The Scheme of Product Certification includes several products, not necessarily under CRS but any other special scheme for which certification is required to establish their conformity to Indian standards. The following may be included under the category of PCS:

For this reason, under PCS, any manufacturer can voluntarily obtain BIS Certification not only to improve his product quality but also to increase market acceptability and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

The document set of BIS CRS Registration requires testing documents, brand documents, factory documents, authorization documents, and all India representative documents.

Also, the test report generated by the BIS-recognized test LAB will also be required to be submitted along with the grant application.

All the documents must be prepared in the prescribed format published by the Bureau of Indian Standard and signed and stamped by respective signatories. 

Below mentioned is the list of all the major documents required for applying fresh application with the bureau.

• Business License of the manufacturing unit (English translated + in local Language)
• Scope of the business license (English Translated + in Local Language)
• ISO Certificate of the manufacturer
• Authorization letter (If Signatory person is other than the head of the manufacturing facility)
• Trademark Certificate
• Trademark Authorization letter, in case brand is not owned by the manufacturer
• Nomination latter of AIR
• Testing Documents (Filled CDF and CCL)
• Technical Specification Sheet or Product Manual of the applied device

The BIS registration is a well-structured process that is developed to ensure that the product adheres to specified Indian standards for quality, safety, and performance. Below is a generic overview of all the stages involved in the BIS registration process:

• Identification of applicability

First and foremost, any manufacturer or importer shall check on the website or consult with authorized agencies to know whether their product falls under the mandatory certification scope of BIS.

• Application Submission

After confirmation of applicability, the next step is applying for certification of BIS. Most of the application processes involve:

• Document Review

Upon receipt of the application, it scrutinizes the documents submitted to check for completeness and accuracy. This step verifies if the required information has been provided and that the product falls within the scope of applicable standards.

• Sample Testing

Samples of the product shall be subjected to testing in a BIS-recognized or accredited laboratory after reviewing the documents. The testing standards made against relevant Indian standards seek to verify compliance with specified parameters such as safety, quality, performance, and any other applicable criteria.

• Factory Inspection (if Applicable)

Factory surveillance in the form of inspection by the government body may be required, depending on the category of products and the assessment of risk. This has been mainly towards checking the production processes of the manufacturer, control over quality, and compliance with BIS standards. The inspection assures that the manufacturing facility can produce products consistently up to the certified standards.

• Grant of BIS Registration Certificate:

Wherever required, after clearance of testing and inspection, if carried out, and the article meets all standards incorporated in the Act, then it will grant a registration certificate. It will be proof the article meets the basic requirements of quality and safety.

• Surveillance and Renewal:

After a manufacturer or importer secures the certification, the manufacturer or importer must duly perform follow-on surveillance activities. This would entail periodic audits, product testing, and evaluation for continued compliance with the standard requirements. Traditionally, the certification is to remain valid for a specified period before renewal is necessary to continue to place a product on the Indian market.

BIS Lab Testing Process

We have to submit the below-mentioned list of documentation for testing; the testing process takes about 10-12 working days.

• CDF with Critical component list
• Transformer details
• PCB Layouts
• Circuit Diagram
• Enclosure Diagram
• Business License
• Organization Chart

We would require samples for the primary model and series model, respectively, for testing. After Testing, we will proceed with the BIS Registration process.

Fee for new application

Fee for Inclusion

Fee for renewal

Renewal can be applied for 2/3/4/5 years.
**- Concession in a processing fee of twenty percent (20%) shall be applicable to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).

A number of licenses issued country-wise:

Corpseed being a single-stop solution service facilitate ensures hassle-free registration for BIS Certification in India. We at Corpseed facilitate end-to-end solutions for all Indian Regulatory compliance.

• Consultation on the applicable standard on the said end product
• Assistance in preparing and managing documents
• Application filling
• Product testing coordination with BIS-recognized LAB    
• Liaisoning with the department officials on behalf of the applicant
• Timely approval in predefined ETA
• Quality service with minimum charges.