BIS Certification in India: A Brief Primer

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is national standards body of India operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. The BIS is responsible for developing and maintaining standards for goods, services, and ensuring the quality, safety, and reliability of products available to Indian consumers.

The formulation of Indian Standards is one of the core activities of the BIS. The following 14 division councils, which represent various economic and technological fields, carry out the activity:

1. Chemical
2. Civil engineering
3. Electro technical
4. Electronics and information technology
5. Food and agriculture
6. Management and systems
7. Mechanical engineering
8. Medical equipment and hospital planning
9. Metallurgical engineering
10. Petroleum, coal and related products
11. Production and general engineering
12. Textile
13. Transport engineering
14. Water resources

Who needs BIS certification?

1. Manufacturers: Indian and foreign manufacturers producing items listed in the mandatory categories.
2. Importers: Importers of goods listed under the mandatory BIS certification requirements.
3. Distributors and retailers: Ensuring products sold complies with BIS standards.

What is BIS certification?

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BIS certification is a quality assurance process that ensures products meet Indian standards, while the standard is the set of requirements that products must meet.

• BIS certification: This is a third-party certification that verifies a product’s quality, safety, and reliability. BIS certification is voluntary; however, it is mandatory for certain products to obtain this certification.
• BIS standard: It is a set of requirements that products must meet to be considered compliant with Indian standards. The BIS Standard Mark stamp indicates a product meets the set standards as prescribed under BIS Act, 1986 (later replaced with BIS Act, 2016).

BIS certification schemes

BIS operates various certification programs to ensure the quality and safety of products sold in India. These certifications enable manufacturers to meet specific standards and gain permission to display the BIS standard mark on their products, allowing them to sell in the Indian domestic market.

It must be noted that the BIS certification is mandatory for certain products, such as aluminum foil, helmets, pressure cookers, toys, water heaters, and cables, among others.

BIS certification schemes are broadly classified into two categories:

1. Mandatory certification
2. Voluntary certification

* The ISI mark is mandatory for over 450 products and voluntary for approximately 900 products.

Mandatory BIS certification schemes

1. Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme

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The Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) has been operational since 2000 (formulated under BIS Act, 1986) and aligns with the BIS Act of . This program permits international manufacturers to display the ‘ISI mark’ on their products, indicating compliance with relevant Indian standards, and allows them to sell these products in the Indian market. 

Within this framework, the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Department (FMCD) is the sole authority authorized to issue BIS licenses to foreign manufacturers. The primary objective of FMCS is to ensure that high-quality, safe products are available to Indian consumers. 

2. Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme (ISI)

BIS operates the ISI mark certification scheme under Scheme-I of Schedule II as outlined in the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulation, 2018 which comes under BIS Act, 2016. Through this scheme, BIS grants licenses to manufacturers, authorizing them to use or apply the ISI Standard Mark on products manufactured at their facilities. To qualify, the products must fully conform to the requirements specified in the relevant Indian Standards.

This certification assures that the products meet applicable Indian standards, allowing manufacturers to use the ISI mark as a symbol of quality and compliance.

3. Compulsory Registration Scheme

BIS certification for electronics and IT products comes under BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)/BIS Registration Scheme. Manufacturers of products covered under the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) must apply for BIS registration after getting their product tested in a BIS-approved laboratory.

The BIS grants manufacturers a license to use or apply for the Standard Mark with a unique R-number on electronics and IT goods. BIS registration is based on a self-declaration of conformity for goods and articles as per Indian Standards.

This scheme was introduced in 2012 by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology and the BIS to safeguard Indian consumers from spurious and substandard goods.

According to the CRO scheme, no one shall manufacture or store for sale, sell, import, or distribute goods that do not conform with the Indian standards specified in the CRO order and do not bear the Standard Mark with a unique registration number obtained from BIS.

4. Hallmarking registration

BIS introduced a gold hallmarking scheme in 2000, followed by a silver hallmarking scheme in 2005. The precise determination and official recording of the proportionate amount of precious metal in precious metal items is known as hallmarking. As a result, a hallmark is an official mark that is used in many countries to ensure the purity or fineness of precious metal items.

BIS registration is also mandatory for jewelers to manufacture or sell gold or silver jewelry. Under the hallmarking scheme, BIS grants registration to jewelers to manufacture and sell hallmark jewelry. The testing and hallmarking center shall also be recognized and approved by BIS in accordance with ISO 15820:2009.

Voluntary BIS certification scheme

1. Eco Mark

The BIS administers the ECO Mark Scheme for labeling environmentally friendly products. The scheme covers various product categories like soaps and detergents, paints, food items, lubricating oils, packing/packaging materials, architectural paints and powder coatings, batteries, electrical and electronic goods, food additives, wood substitutes, cosmetics, aerosols and propellants, plastic products, textiles, fire-extinguisher, leather, coir, and coir products.

The presence of the Eco Mark beside the ISI Mark on a product indicates that it meets specific environmental criteria as well as the quality requirements specified in the applicable Indian Standard.

BIS is responsible for the implementation of the Scheme including the renewal, suspension, and cancellation of licenses, as well as conducting inspections and collecting samples for analysis of any material or substance regarding which the Eco Mark has been applied.

Obtaining BIS certification in India: Mandatory and voluntary products

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Products that may need mandatory or voluntary BIS certifications are listed under various regulations and central government notifications.

When it comes to electronic goods, BIS has stringent requirements. All electronic products must obtain BIS registration before they can be introduced to the Indian market.

Domestic manufacturers can also voluntarily obtain BIS certification for their products. The Voluntary Certification Scheme (VCS) allows manufacturers to certify their products, even if they are not subject to mandatory certification. This is to encourage manufacturers to differentiate their products in the marketplace by demonstrating compliance with Indian Standards, boosting consumer trust and product competitiveness in the Indian market.

BIS certification required for exports to India

There are three primary types of certifications issued by the BIS for products to be exported to India:

BIS Certification (ISI) – Factory inspection (Scheme I, ISI Mark Scheme)

The FMCD oversees the issuance of BIS ISI certifications for foreign manufacturers. Since 2000, this authority has managed the certification process under the BIS framework. The rules and regulations governing the ISI certification are outlined in the FMCS.

Products that meet the FMCS requirements are labeled with the ISI logo, commonly referred to as the “BIS Standard Mark” or “ISI Mark,” in accordance with Scheme I of the ISI Mark Scheme.

BIS Registration (CRS) – No factory inspection (Scheme II)

Introduced in 2012, the BIS registration under the CRS initially applied to 15 product categories, with additional categories added in phases. As per the regulations published by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), foreign products intended for the Indian market are also eligible for BIS registration under CRS.

The scheme primarily includes products from the IT, electronics, and lighting sectors. However, the list of products requiring registration continues to expand, making BIS-CRS one of the most significant and widely utilized certifications in India.

BIS Certification with factory inspection (Scheme X)

Launched on March 16, 2022, Scheme X covers products related to low-voltage switchgear and control gear. The implementation of mandatory certification under this scheme is being phased in systematically, with full rollout planned by May 2027.

Previously categorized under BIS-ISI certification, these product groups have been reclassified under BIS scheme X. Despite the new categorization, the certification requirements remain identical to those under BIS-ISI.

Applying for a BIS Certificate in India: A quick guide

The BIS certification process in India varies by product and scheme type, such as ISI Mark, Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), or Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS).

Dezan Shira & Associates’ India Office can assist with the below process. For business inquiries, please email us at: India@dezshira.com

Steps to apply:

1. Identify certification scheme

• Determine whether the product requires mandatory or voluntary certification.
• Check relevant BIS standards for compliance.

2. Application process

ISI Mark (Domestic Products)

• Submit an online application with product and factory details.
• Provide documents like factory license and quality control measures.
• Undergo factory inspection and product testing.
• Upon compliance, receive the certificate to affix the ISI mark.

CRS (Electronic & IT Products)

• Submit the application online.
• Test the product in a BIS-recognized lab.
• Submit the test report for certification approval.

FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers)

• Submit application with product and factory details.
• Appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
• Undergo factory inspection and product testing.
• Upon approval, obtain certification for ISI mark or CRS registration.

3. Required documents

• Application form, business registration, factory details, quality control measures, and BIS-approved test reports.

4. Fees and charges

• Includes application, inspection, testing, and annual certification fees.

5. Process duration

• ISI: 30-60 days
• CRS: 15-30 days
• FMCS: 3-6 months

6. Post-certification requirements

• Mark products with ISI, CRS, or Hallmark as specified.
• Renew certificates every 1-2 years and conduct periodic tests as required.
• Report product or process changes for retesting to maintain validity.

Penalties for non-compliance

Selling or distributing products requiring BIS certification without proper compliance can lead to legal and financial consequences, depending on nature and severity of non-compliance.

For instance, any individual or entity that manufactures, imports, distributes, or sells goods without obtaining the necessary BIS certification or misuses the Standard Mark may face monetary fines.

Penalty for misuse of the BIS Standard Mark

Using the BIS certification mark without authorization or falsely representing a product as BIS-certified will result in the below penalties:

• First offense: Fine up to INR 200,000 (US$2,314)
• Subsequent offenses: Fine up to INR 500,000 (US$5,785) or imprisonment up to 2 years, or both.

Penalty for producing or selling products not compliant with BIS standards

Manufacturing or selling products for which certification is mandatory without obtaining BIS certification can lead to a fine up to INR 500,000 (US$5,785) or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both.

Penalty for false representation

Falsely representing compliance with BIS standards or providing false information to BIS can lead to fine up to INR 500,000 (US$5,785).

Other

Imprisonment may be imposed for severe violations, with the duration and amount of penalties specified in the BIS Act 2016 and its amendments. Non-compliance can also result in the suspension or cancellation of licenses and certifications, further affecting the credibility and market standing of the business involved.

The BIS Act permits the seizure of non-compliant goods and legal proceedings against the offenders in cases of significant breaches.

(US$1 = INR 86.4)

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