The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is
a group that was created to make sure products all over the world are made with
the same high quality and used the right way. It started in Switzerland in 1947
and now has 161 countries that are part of it. Each country has a group, like
India's Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), that helps make sure products in that
country meet the same standards.
What is BIS?
BIS, which stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards, is the
national standards organization of India under the Ministry of Consumer
Affairs, Health & Public Distribution of the Government of India. In the
mid-1980s, the Indian government enacted the BIS Act of 1986 to give statutory
status to the operations of the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), which was
later renamed as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure smooth implementation
of standardization and quality inspection of products under specific regulatory
control. The BIS Act was revised in 2016, which established BIS as the National
Standards Body.
What is BIS certification?
BIS certification stands for Bureau of Indian Standards
certification. It is a mandatory certification required for certain products
sold in India to ensure their quality, safety, and reliability. The
certification process involves testing and evaluation of products to ensure
they meet the specified standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
What is the purpose of getting BIS Certification?
BIS has established a total of 15 laboratories across the
country, comprising of 8 central, 4 regional, and 3 branch laboratories. These
labs are primarily used to examine product samples during preliminary and
surveillance operations. As such, the government has actively promoted BIS
Certification for the following reasons:
- To ensure public health safety
- To provide quality assurance
- To protect consumers from hazardous products
- To instill consumer confidence.
Various schemes are covered by BIS certification.
In India, BIS certification is granted to products under
various scheme types which includes:
1) Under the
Normal Procedure for domestic manufacturers:
The applicant must apply for BIS certification with the
necessary documentation and payment, after which a BIS officer conducts a
formal factory evaluation and samples are tested internally. BIS certification
is granted if the sample meets the necessary requirements, and it typically
takes about 4 months from the time of application to receive the certification.
2) Simpler Domestic Manufacturing Procedure:
Involves the applicant submitting a product test report from
a BIS certified laboratory along with a BIS Certification form. A BIS official
will then check the manufacturing premises if the test result is
satisfactory. If the verification is satisfactory, BIS certification is granted
and a license is issued within 30 days of the submission of the BIS
qualification application.
3) The ECO Mark Scheme:
It is a separate certification process from the standard BIS
certification process for eco-friendly products. To qualify for the ECO label
in India, eco-friendly goods must meet additional criteria, but the
authorization process is similar to that of domestic manufacturers.
4) The Tatkal Scheme:
It allows manufacturers who require a standard BIS label to
obtain a license quickly. Requests are processed within a tight deadline of 30
days.
5) The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS):
It was introduced by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in
2000. This plan is intended for international applicants and foreign producers
who are awarded a licence to use the ISI mark within 6 months under the separate
certification process.
Required documents for BIS registration
The following documents are necessary for BIS registration:
1) PCB Layout
2) Schematic Diagram
3) List of Critical Components
4) User Manual
5) Proof of submission of online files
6) Proof of identity, such as business license and other
government documents
7) CEO-signed application or a letter of authority from the
CEO
8) Certificate of brand name registration or a copy of the
trademark application, if applicable, or a letter of authorization from the
brand owner
9) Affidavit and undertaking for the approved Indian
representative, along with proof of identity of the individual signing an
affidavit, if the manufacturer is based outside the country
10) Undertaking for the test report
11) Original test report(s) from a designated laboratory,
which are not more than 1 month old, that specify all relevant requirements for
the applicable category
12) Form VI and VII.
Advantages of having BIS certification
The BIS Certification offers several advantages:.
- Guaranteeing
quality standards by mandating manufacturers to adhere to specific standards
during the production process
- BIS certified products are recognized for their
exceptional performance and dependability, providing added authenticity.
- The usage of certain hazardous chemicals and materials has
been prohibited under BIS's specified regulations, reducing environmental
risks.
- BIS certification is only granted after rigorous testing
of product samples in BIS-approved labs, ensuring top-quality products and
thorough quality inspections.
Process of getting BIS registration
Typically, the procedure for BIS registration involves two
main processes, namely the licensing process and the surveillance process. The
licensing process comprises the following steps:
- Manufacturers submit an application for BIS registration.
- The factory undergoes a preliminary inspection by a BIS
officer.
- Product samples are tested after the inspection.
- The BIS officer derives the final result upon completion
of the evaluation.
- Following the inspection process, the inspecting officer
will conduct the surveillance process by conducting a thorough survey of the
factory. The surveillance process involves the following steps:
- The inspecting authority visits the factory to verify the
test results.
- The samples are sent to independent labs by the inspecting
officer.
- The test report provides feedback or outlines the
complaint on the investigation.
- A performance review report is prepared.
- The BIS license is granted after the report has been
reviewed.
Conclusion
BIS certification is a crucial process for manufacturers and
importers of certain products in India. It helps ensure that the products meet
the necessary safety, quality, and reliability standards and protect the
interests of Indian consumers. Failure to comply with the BIS certification
requirements may result in penalties and legal consequences, which can be
avoided by obtaining the necessary certification.
