BIS Certification

What is the Significance of BIS Certification?

The purpose behind the setting up of an the existence of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is to provide the Indian public with standardized goods that adhere to required quality levels by issuing BIS Certification. It also tests products and samples and certifies them. It provides for safe and reliable products for use and consumption and exercise control on variants of different products while promoting export and import of products that meet international quality and standards.

Who should apply for BIS Certification?

Generically speaking, manufacturers of products in India can apply for BIS certification on a voluntary basis except for certain products that are mandatorily required to be registered with the Bureau before being sold, distributed, marketed, imported or exported commercially. These products fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). The scheme is further sub-divided into two sub-parts – Scheme I or the ISI Mark Scheme and Scheme II also called the Registration Scheme.

Let us find out more about Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

• Scheme I under CRS – 107 products under various categories have been identified under this scheme. Standards have been created accordingly to ascertain the quality and safety levels of the products. It is mandatory for manufacturers of these products to obtain the ISI certification before selling or involving in any kind of commercial activity related to the product in the market. The rule remains the same irrespective of whether the manufacturer is Indian or overseas based. Typically the ISI registration process involves testing the product sample in a BIS approved lab, physical verification of the factory premises and the manufacturing process and depositing the requisite ISI Mark registration fees. Only when required documents and the test reports are in place, the certification is awarded to the manufacturer post which the ISI Mark needs to be printed onto the front of the product or the package cover.

• Scheme II under CRS – under this Scheme, the manufacturer needs to apply for the BIS certification on a compulsory basis even before launching the product in the market. For foreign manufacturers, the rule applies too and they need to have the registration formalities done before the product is officially launched in the Indian market. Presently there are almost 43 products that have been listed by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and 6 products listed by the Ministry of New and Renewal Energy (MNRE) pertaining to Solar Photovoltaics systems, devices, and components. After due certification manufacturers need to mandatorily print the Standard Mark on their product and packaging. All the products have been classified under particular Indian standards (IS) and the most essential part in the process getting registered involves testing the product at a BIS recognized lab to assess if the product conforms to laid down specifications under the IS.

The registration under CRS is provided by the Registration Department of BIS that is headquartered in New Delhi while the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is responsible for carrying out surveillance audits of products in the market.

Here we are discussing in detail the method of registration and documents required to get BIS registration of Optical Disc Players with built-in amplifiers of Input 200W and above and Plasma/LCD/LED Televisions of Screen Size 32” and above.

Product Description

1. Optical Disc Players with built-in amplifiers of Input Power 200 W and above – these electronic gadgets fall under the purview of the Indian Standard IS 616:2010*.
2. Plasma/LCD/LED Televisions of Screen Size 32” and above – these products are governed by the Indian Standard IS 616:2010*.

Details of IS 616:2010*

IS 616:2010* defines the safety requirements and standards for all audio, video and similar electronic apparatus that are fed by electric supply from the mains, a supply apparatus, batteries or remote feeding of power. All equipment that are proposed to either generate, record, transmit or reproduce audio and video signals fall within the purview of this standard.

The standard categorically mentions that it pertains only to safety aspects of these equipment and is no way associated with their performance or style. It also applies to apparatus that have a rated supply voltage that does not exceed 250 V AC single phase or DC supply and 433 V in the event the apparatus is connected to any other source of supply other than single phase. The standard is applied for only such equipment that are meant to be used in dry places, places with moderate climatic conditions and are not used at elevations beyond 2000 meters from sea level. The Standard has recently been replaced by the IS 616: 2017.

Documents required for BIS Certification

The checklist of documents that are required for obtaining the certificate include –

1. The address proof of the registered office of the business – either the business license or any other Government documents need to be submitted
2. Proof of submission of the Government fees – a copy of NEFT details or the Demand Draft along with a copy.
3. Authorization letter from the CEO/Owner of the company if documents are signed by authorized personnel.
4. Completed Form VI
5. Copy of proof of registering the brand – either the registration certificate or authorization letter from the owner of the brand in case the brand is owned by another person.
6. Test report from a BIS Approved Lab, in original along with an undertaking.
7. The authorisation of Indian Representative and Affidavit to the effect –
8. For Indian Manufacturers – Affidavit on the prescribed format (Format C) along with an authorization from CEO in case the Affidavit is signed by an authorized person and his ID proof.
9. For Foreign Manufacturers –in case the liaison office is already registered in  India, then a copy of the Registration certificate along with an affidavit cum undertaking from the CEO/MD of the liaison office as per Format A. In case the Affidavit is signed by an authorized person, an authorization letter from the CEO/MD along with the ID proof of the signatory. In case the foreign manufacturer has a nominee of his brand in India and if the brand owner does not have a nominee of the brand in the country, there are some additional documents that are required to be submitted by the owner.

BIS might ask for additional information on a case-to-case basis for evaluation of the application.

BIS Certification Process

In order to obtain the certification from the Bureau for their products, manufacturers need to follow the following process-

1. The manufacturer needs to apply online here for the certificate. They need to first register at this site to be able to complete the application process. Registered users can then fill up Form VI.
2. Before filing for online application, manufacturers need to submit a sample of the finished good to a BIS recognized lab for testing. Different standards have different approved labs to carry out the testing. For IS 616:2010* there are about 52 approved labs in the country. The testing charges are as below:-

S. No.	Product Category	Lab Fees
1	Optical Disc Players with built-in amplifiers of Input Power 200 W and above	29,000/-
2	Plasma/LCD/LED Televisions of Screen Size 32” and above	40,000/-

• Foreign manufacturers who have no liaison/branch office in the country need to first appoint an Authorized Indian Representative as per BIS regulations. The Authorised Indian Reps need to submit an affidavit cum undertaking as per prescriber Format A or B as applicable.
• Indian manufacturers need to submit an affidavit cum undertaking as per Format C.
• All required documents need to be submitted online along with the application.
• The appropriate and applicable fee needs to be deposited. The government fee or the BIS Certification cost for the products being discussed is as below:-

S. No.	Product Category	Government Fees
1	Optical Disc Players with built-in amplifiers of Input Power 200 W and above	53,000/-
2	Plasma/LCD/LED Televisions of Screen Size 32” and above	53,000/-

• It is mandatory that the hard copy of the application Form along with all documents be submitted to the BIS head office at New Delhi within 15 days of online submission. In case the hard copies fail to reach within the stipulated time period, the application will be closed.
• After submission, all documents and the application are reviewed and scrutinized by BIS.
• In case of additional information and an inquiry from BIS, the applicant can revert back online.
• In case of shortcomings pointed out by BIS, the applicant needs to address them on an immediate basis.
• Once BIS is satisfied with all reverts the BIS registration is granted. The approval is uploaded on the portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much time does it take to get the BIS Certification?

The registration is usually granted in a span of 20 working days. However, incomplete applications and delayed reverts to queries or shortcomings can result in a delay in granting of the certificate.

• What is the Standard Mark and what are the specifications related to it?

The Standard Mark needs to be printed on the product and the packaging after obtaining the BIS certificate. Typically it has three parts to it – the monogram that is a pictorial representation of the Mark; the IS number and the registration number of the manufacturer. There are clear specifications that have been mentioned by the Bureau in this context – the monogram can be reduced or enlarged; it can be in single color or in multiple colors the color scheme of which has been categorically mentioned, and the font and the text size needs to be Arial and more than size 6. In place of the Standard Mark, the Bureau authorizes manufacturers to use the words ‘Self-declaration-Conforming to IS…’.

In either case, the marking needs to be discernible, decipherable, permanent and non-removable.

• The unique BIS registration number needs to be obtained by the manufacturer or the importer?

Since the registration number is linked to the location of the manufacturing unit, the name of the manufacturer, the specific product and the brand, it is the manufacturer who needs to apply for the registration number.

• For how long is the Test Report valid?

The Bureau has strict rules in this context. Any Test Report older than 90 days will not be accepted for consideration with the application.

• Is it essential to put the Standard Mark on the product or the packaging or both?

The Standard Mark needs to be placed on both, the product and the packaging. However, due to the small size of the product, if it is challenging to place the Mark on the product, then it can be placed on packaging alone. Further, products that have a display screen, e-labeling is permitted too.

• Do multiple brands require multiple registrations?

Yes. The unique registration number is associated with a single brand; hence multiple brands will require multiple registrations. However, if the product is the same and the manufacturing location is the same too, manufacturers can apply for a common test report for all brands. It is essential in this case that individual model numbers be mentioned in the test report.

• If a particular product being manufactured at one location gets registered, is it necessary to seek registration for manufacturing the same product at another location?

Yes. The registration number is unique and is applicable to location-wise. Hence for production at another location, a separate application needs to be submitted to BIS. The same registration procedure will be followed as mentioned above.

• Who bears the BIS certification costs?

The costs are borne by the business entity that is seeking the registration.

• The BIS certificate is valid for how long?

Each registration has validity for up to two years post which the certification needs to be renewed. Typically, the application form for renewal along with the required fees needs to be submitted at the BIS head office at least a month prior to the expiry of the current registration.

BIS Certification involves complicated processes and detailed preparations. It requires thorough paperwork and paying attention to minutest details. Hence, the need of the hour is hiring the services of experienced and knowledgeable BIS Certification agents so that the process can be done time efficiently and smoothly within the stipulated period of time. Enterslice, an expert BIS Certification consultant charges nominally for BIS registration.