How to Obtain BIS Certificate in India?

Narendra Kumar

24 May, 2019

BIS Certification or the ISI Mark is the way of assuring customers of the quality standards of the product. The BIS Certification is a guarantee that the product is safe for use. While it is a voluntary certification empowered through the Bureau of Indian Standards Act 1986.

Why is it Mandatory to obtain a BIS Certificate before Launching a Product?

For manufacturers of electronic products like amplifiers and Automatic Data Processing Machine in India, BIS Certification is mandatory without which they cannot sell their products in the domestic market. Even for international and foreign brands that wish to import into and trade within the geographical boundaries of India, the certification is mandatory before launch or before the product enters the Indian domain. Both these electronic items are classified under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) of BIS.

Find out more about BIS Scheme

The scheme was introduced in 2012 by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology in conjunction with the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Let us find out more highlights of the scheme.

Key highlights of the scheme are: –

• Mandatory product registration with BIS and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
• BIS tests the products for safety standards.
• The registration is granted location wise.
• The registration is valid for two years and can be renewed in case no alternations have been done to the product.
• A standardized mark or the ISI mark needs to be present on the product and packaging post registration.
• Only BIS approved Testing Laboratories in India – Bangalore, and Gurgaon – are permitted to test and issue the test report.

Other than this, it is also compulsory for not only the manufacturers of such electronic components to procure the ISI certification, even manufactures of circuit breakers, switches, wiring cables used for electrical installations and other Industrial items mandatorily need to have ISI registration. It is important that the product and the packaging are marked with ISI logo and the 7-digit license number mentioned as CM/L-xxxxxxx and IS number on the top that denotes the product’s number assigned by the IS.

Now let’s focus on Amplifiers and Auto Data Processing Machine and how to apply for BIS Certification.

Product Description

1. Amplifier: BIS registration or the ISI certification mark is mandatory for manufacturers of all amplifiers that have input wattage of 2000 watts or more. Amplifiers are tested under the Indian Standards mentioned in IS 616: 2010. This standard applies to all products categorized under Audio, Video and Similar Electronic safety requirements by BIS – under which the standard applies to provide safety from hazards like electric shock, radiation, fire, mechanical issues, overheating because of excessive temperatures and even implosion.
2. Auto Data Processing Machine – all types of ADP Machines must be certified by BIS before the sale in the Indian market. For foreign manufacturers too, it is obligatory to get the registration done before import/export and the official launch in the market. The products are tested under IS 13252 (Part-1) that specifically applies to information technology equipment that is either mains-powered or battery-powered.

Documents required for BIS Certification

The following documents need to be submitted by the manufacturer to test and register either of the above products with the Bureau of Indian Standards: –

A. Technical specifications of the Product

• Critical Components and Materials list that is a summary of the different parts being used to manufacture the product. Some important parameters that need to be mentioned here are the manufacturer details, the model type, and the technical data of the part, standard and mark of conformity. Alongside, the circuit diagram, instruction and service manual, business license of the part manufacturer, trademark certificate copies and properly labeled samples are required to be submitted too.
• The design and layout of the printed circuit board
•   User manual
• Other technical specifications like power output, Noise + total harmonic distortion, the Signal to Noise ratio, input power, and wattages, etc.

A. Factory related information and documents

• The manufacturing license copy
• Trademark registration copy
• Details of manufacturing machines and equipment installed in the factory
• Quality Assurance and Quality Control team details pertaining to their years of experience, qualification and a copy of qualification certificates etc. and details of testing facilities.
• Organizational chart of the company
• In the case of foreign manufacturers, the Authorized Indian Representative relevant documents under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme.
• Other relevant documents like the Company Registration Certificate; a process flow chart covering all aspects of the manufacturing process;
• Calibration certification of the testing equipment
• Authorization letter from the owner in case the application is signed on his behalf by an authorized
• In-house or third-party testing reports as per mentioned requirement of Indian Standards.

The BIS Certification or ISI Registration Process

1. The first step in the process involves submitting the product sample for testing as per standards mentioned in the Indian Standard (IS) with a BIS approved laboratory in India.
2. The lab carries out extensive tests on the product sample and accordingly issues a test report.
3. In case the test report issued confirms compliance and conformity, the manufacturer or his representative needs to apply to the regional BIS office through prescribed Form VI. The lab report needs to be attached as a vital document along with all other documents that have been mentioned above.
4. An officer from BIS may inspect the factory premises post which after careful examination of the report and scrutinizing the documents submitted, the Bureau of Indian Standards issues the certification.

The amount of paperwork that is required to be done for obtaining the certificate from BIS is quite huge and requires detailed working. It is best to seek the advice and guidance from specialists in the field as it is otherwise quite a complicated and tedious work for a layman or someone with limited knowledge on the process. There are quite a decent number of experienced BIS certification consultants in the market. At very reasonable prices, these consultants handle the entire certification process on behalf of their customers.

The other distinct advantage of hiring the services of BIS certification agents is that they will get the process done quickly – as a result, the manufacturer is able to obtain the BIS certification quite fast. This is because they are well-aware and know how to handle best the various complexities and intricacies of the work-in-hand.

Fees pertaining to BIS Registration

BIS certification cost includes primarily the cost of testing the sample at the Lab which is denoted as the Lab fees and the fees that are required to be paid to BIS – denoted as Government Fees.

Additionally, if the services of top BIS Certification agents like Enterslice are hired for quick and easy registration, there are consultancy charges too.

The costing is as per the table mentioned below: –

With top-rated and leading BIS certification consultants charging cost-effectively for ISI mark registration fees, it is convenient to hire the services of agencies with a proven track record in this field.

FAQs related to BIS Certification and ISI Mark Registration Fees

1. Is the CRS applicable basis manufacturing date or import date?

For products produced domestically, the CRS is applicable as per manufacturing date. For products being imported, the landing date of the products will be considered effective.

2. The unique BIS registration number is applicable to the manufacturer or the importer in case of Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme?

It is the manufacturer that obtains the unique registration number. The certification is provided to the manufacturer based on the location of the manufacturing unit, the product, and the brand name.

3. Is it compulsory to have the ISI Mark on BIS registered amplifiers and auto data processing machines?

Yes. The ISI mark must be either printed or stamped on the product as well as on the packaging preferably near to the marking label. All products that fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme cannot be sold, distributed or exported in the Indian market without the mark. Along with the mark, the IS product number and BIS Registration number needs to be mentioned too.

4. Is there any flexibility with the placement of the ISI certification mark?

It is obligatory for the manufacturer to place the mark on the product as well as the packaging. There is a bit of flexibility here – (1) in case the product is too small for placing the mark, it can be done on the packaging alone. (2) In case the electronic product has a display screen, e-marking can also be done.

5. For how long is the test report from the BIS Approved lab valid to be considered for BIS certification?

The test report cannot be greater than 90 days old when the application form is being submitted- whether online or physically.

6. Once a product produced at a certain location has been certified, is the manufacturer required to procure another certification for a different location?

Yes. Since the registration number issued is location specific, the manufacturer needs to apply again for another location along with the test report of the sample product from the factory at this location.

7. What is the ISI Mark registration fee?

The total cost works out to be about Rs. 1, 23,000 for the Amplifier product and Rs. 1, 18,000 for the auto data processing machine. Other costs like handling charges and other additional costs may be separate and are determined case-to-case basis. GST @ 18% is going to be charged extra for payments in Indian Rupees.

8. How much time does it take to complete the entire BIS Certification process?

The minimum time required is mentioned below: –

• Testing at the lab and report generation takes about 15-20 working days.
• Physical factory premise verification and application processing by BIS takes about another 10-15 days.

This happens in case all required documents are submitted properly and all requisite processes are taken care of correctly. It is therefore recommended to hire the services of capable BIS certification consultant for obtaining the certificate in an optimal time period.

9. What is the validity period of the certificate? And can it be renewed?

The BIS Registration is valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issue. It can be renewed in which testing is not required to be redone. A month before the expiry of the current certificate, the manufacturer needs to apply for renewal along with the requisite fees. However, if there has been some alteration or modification in the product then a new test report needs to be submitted along with the application.

10. Are there any specific guidelines for the marking label on the product?

The marking label either needs to be printed or embossed on the product. It requires to carry information regarding the product name, brand, model number, Input and Output power specifications, the name of the country where it has been manufactured and the name of the manufacturer.

11. In order to obtain the certificate what specifications are required for the Business License?

The Business License to the manufacturer needs to be issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the words ‘manufacturing’ or ‘production’ needs to be mentioned explicitly. The business licenses without either of these two words are not accepted for certification.

12. Is there any penalty if a manufacturer sells his products without BIS registration?

Under the Electronics and IT Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 and amendment order dated 25 June 2013, any manufacturer found to be selling any of the products marked under the CRS will be penalized and prosecuted under clauses of deformation of products beyond use and seizure of products.

13. Manufacturers manufacturing under multiple brands are required to register each brand separately or one registration is enough?

The rule is clear – each brand needs a separate registration. However, if the location of manufacturing is the same, then a common test report can be generated and submitted. The only condition being that each model number should be listed out in the test report one-by-one.

There are plenty of such queries and clarifications that only experienced BIS certification consultants can help with Enterslice, a leading management consultancy firm can help you in obtaining BIS Certification.