BIS Certification Quality Assurance

What is the process of BIS Certification for Passport Readers and POS Terminals?

BIS Certification for Passport Readers

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the nodal body in India for developing standards applicable to products being manufactured and sold in India. It is also responsible for issuing BIS Certification and implementation of these standards and certifying products that meet the specified standards. The objective is simple – to ensure that the Indian public gets to consume and use products that are safe and reliable and are up to certain defined standards.

The Bureau was set up in 1986 before which the Institute responsible for standardization in India was the Indian Institute of Standards (ISI). The BIS is headquartered at New Delhi with regional offices at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, and Chandigarh, and about 20 branch offices spread across the country.

Is it mandatory to obtain BIS certification?

BIS registration is a voluntary process wherein manufacturers can apply to the Bureau to get their products certified so that consumers readily accept the products thereby creating a competitive edge for the brand.

The government of India has made it mandatory for certain products to be registered with BIS keeping in mind public health and safety. Under the 0 (CRS) manufacturers of such products can neither manufacture nor sell, distribute, export, import or store for sale such products without the mandatory BIS certification and Standard Mark.

The CRS has two parts to it –

  1. Scheme – I also called the ISI Mark Scheme
  2. Scheme – II also called the Registration Scheme

Under Scheme-I, there are about 136 identified products that need to bear the ISI Mark so that the manufacturers of such products – Indian as well as foreign manufacturers – are able to commercially sell and distribute them in the Indian market. In this case, the manufacturers need to obtain ISI registration and go through the mandatory process of ISI certification. The broad product categories include –

  • Cement (13 products),
  • Electrical household goods (15 products),
  • Batteries (1 product),
  • Food & related products (15 products),
  • Oil pressure stove (3 products),
  • Automobile accessories (4 products),
  • Cylinders, valve, and regulation (15 products),
  • Medical devices (3 products),
  • Steel products (58 products),
  • Electrical motors (2 products),
  • Capacitors (3 products),
  • Chemicals and fertilizers (1 product)
  • Kitchen appliances (2 products), and
  • Domestic Water Heaters for use with LPG (1 product). 

The ISI certification process under normal procedure is a long-drawn process which takes about 4 – 6 months to come through and under the simplified process takes about a month to complete. The manufacturer needs to pay the required ISI Mark Certification costs along with the application, necessary documents, and test reports so that the Bureau starts the process of ISI registration.

Under Scheme – II, there are about 42 electronic and Information Technology related equipment and about 6 photovoltaic equipment and components that have been identified for mandatory BIS registration. The products that feature in the compulsory listing under Scheme – II of CRS include –

  • Amplifiers with an input power of 2000W and above;
  • Automatic data processing machines;
  • Electronics clocks with mains power;
  • Electronic games (video);
  • electronic musical systems with input power 2000Watts and above;
  • Laptop/Notebook/Tablet;
  • Microwave ovens;
  • Optical disc players with inbuilt amplifiers of input power 200Watts and above;
  • Plasma/LCD/ LED TVs of screen size 32” and above;
  • Printers/plotters; scanners;
  • Set-top box;
  • Telephone answering machines;
  • Visual Display Units and video monitors of screen size 32” and above;
  • Wireless keyboards;
  • Passport reader;
  • Cash registers;
  • Copying machines/duplicators;
  • POS terminals;
  • Mail processing machines/postage machines/franking machines;
  • Smart card reader;
  • Power banks for use in portable applications;
  • Mobile phones;
  • Self-ballasted LED lamps for general lighting;
  • DC or AC supplied electronic control gear for LED modules;
  • Power adaptors for audio, video and similar electronic apparatus;
  • Power adapters for IT equipment;
  • Fixed general-purpose LED luminaries,
  • UPS/Investors of rating<= 5KVA; LED Floodlights;
  • LED hand lamps;
  • LED lighting chains;
  • UPS/Investors of rating <=10 KVA;
  • Sealed secondary cells/batteries containing alkaline or other non-acid electrolytes to be used in portable applications;
  • Indian language support for mobile phone handsets;
  • Recessed LED luminaries;
  • LED luminaires for emergency lighting;
  • Plasma/LCD/LED TV of a screen size up to 32;
  • Visual Display units, video monitors of a screen size up to 32; 
  • CCTV cameras/CCTV recorders;
  • Adapters for household and similar electrical appliances;
  • USD driven barcode readers, barcode scanners, IRIS scanners, optical fingerprint scanners;
  • Smartwatches;
  • Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules;
  • Thin film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules;
  • Power inverters for use in the photovoltaic power system;
  • Storage battery; and
  • Utility-interconnected photovoltaic inverters.
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Today we will study in-depth the process for obtaining BIS certification for two highlighted products from the list above-Passport Readers and Point of Sale Terminals.

Product Description

  • Both the products mentioned above are covered by the Indian Standard number IS 13252(Part 1):2010*, named as Information Technology Equipment Safety: General Requirements. This particular IS corresponds to the IEC 60950-1:2005 standard.
  • The scope of the standard specifically covers aspects related to safety with the purpose of reducing or eliminating risks related to fire, radiation, electric shocks, heat-related risks, hazards related to energy, mechanical and chemicals. These are hazards that the user of the equipment can face or the servicing person.
  • While the standard does not dwell on the performance and look related aspects of the equipment, it definitely applies to the components that have been used to make the equipment.
  • The standard is applicable for Indian as well as foreign manufacturers.

BIS Registration Process

Step No. 1 – Testing of the sample. The manufacturer or the applicant first need to send a sample of his product for testing to a BIS Approved lab in the country and submit the lab fees. The objective is to have the sample tested for conformance to the above-mentioned standard. The lab generates a test report usually within 15 days of submission of the sample.

Step No. 2 – Apply online. The applicant now needs to register at CRSBIS to complete the application process. Completed Form VI with the signature of the applicant needs to be uploaded online.

Step No. 3 – Submit documents. Upload online all the required documents as per the list mentioned in the next segment. 

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Step No. 4 – Pay the fees. Submit the required government fees or the BIS certification costs online via NEFT. There is also the option of making payments via Demand Draft.

Step No. 5 – Sending the hard copy. After successful online submission, the hard copies of the Form along with the documents, Test report in original and proof of submission of fees needs to be submitted at the BIS head office within 15 days. It is essential that the copies reach within the stipulated time else the application is rejected and the manufacturer needs to reapply.

Step No. 6 – Bureau scrutinizes the application. The concerned department of BIS now evaluates the application and documents carefully. It might raise queries and objections to certain shortcomings in the application. All the queries and shortcomings need to be answered by the applicant within the given time-frame. Delays caused on the part of the applicant can hinder the certification process.

Step No. 7 – once the officials are satisfied with answers and reverts gave by the applicant, the product gets certified.

BIS Certification mandatory documents

Here is a list of essential documents that are required to be submitted along with Form VI:-

  1. Test reports in original along with an undertaking signed by the applicant. It is important to note here that the report that is submitted along with the application is not more than 90 days old. If it is then the application is rejected.
  2. Copy of manufacturing license.
  3. In case the brand is registered, the Trademark registration copy and in the event the registration is under process, a copy of the application for Trademark registration.
  4. For foreign manufacturers, documents with respect to the appointment of the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) as required under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme along with Company Registration Certificate
  5. Authorization letter from the owner in case the application is signed on his behalf by an authorized representative.
  6. Undertaking for IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010* amendment.
  7. For Indian manufacturers, Affidavit as per Format C signed by the MD/CEO of the company. In case signed by an authorized person, the ID proof of the signatory.
  8. In case of foreign manufacturers, affidavit cum undertaking as per Format A or B, as is applicable, signed by the CEO/MD of the liaison office. In case it is signed by an authorized signatory, ID proof of the person.

The BIS might ask for additional documents like Critical Components and Materials list, design and layout of the printed circuit board, User manual and other technical specifications like power output, input power, and wattages, etc. which need to be submitted by the applicant.

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BIS Certification costs

In order to get the product BIS certified, the manufacturer needs to pay fees towards testing at the lab and also government fees. For the products being discussed here, the fee structure is as follows:-

S. No. Product Lab Fees (Rs.) Government Fees (Rs)
1. Passport Readers 40, 000 53, 000
2. Point of Sale Terminals 40, 000 53, 000

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the role of BIS certification agents?

These are people or organizations that provide support to manufacturers in getting their product registered with BIS. They are also called BIS certification consultants who charge a consultancy fee to get the process done. The reason why manufacturers hire the services of consultants are – (1) to take care of the detailed paperwork that is required to be done and need expertise, (2) to ensure that each step in the certification process is completed with accuracy so that there is no wastage of time and money, (3) to ensure that the BIS registration is done in a timely manner.  Leading and well-known BIS certification agents charge approximately Rs.25, 000/- per product for their services.

2. What is the proof that a product listed under CRS is BIS registered?

The proof is the Standard Mark on the product and its outer packaging. This mark consists of a clearly defined monogram, the IS number and the manufacturer’s BIS registration number.  All products that are listed under the CRS Scheme – II are required to have this mark printed or embossed before being sold or distributed in the market.

3. What is the proof that a product is listed under CRS Scheme – I?

Products that are classified under CRS Scheme – I am required to bear the ISI Mark on a mandatory basis. Even the packaging is required to carry the ISI Mark.

4. Is there any specific rule pertaining to the Business License of the manufacturer that is to be submitted along with the Form?

Yes. The Business License needs to be issued by the MCA or the Registrar’s office. The words ‘manufacturing’ or ‘production’ needs to be mentioned clearly on the Business License. A license without either of these of two words is not acceptable for obtaining BIS certification.

5. Is the Certificate valid for a lifetime?

No. BIS Certificate is valid for a period of two years only and needs to be renewed every two years. The ideal way is to apply for renewal at least one month in advance. The renewal form along with the requisite fees and few mandatory documents need to be submitted online for renewal. The test report is usually not required to be re-submitted until and unless there have been modifications in the product or there have been amendments in the particular Indian Standard.

6. What are some common shortcomings in the application?

  1. Mismatch in the name of the manufacturing unit in the application form and other documents.
  2. Mismatch in the address of the manufacturing unit in the documents submitted.
  3. Applications submitted with signature stamp instead of ink signature.
  4. Affidavit and undertakings submitted without signatures.

Enterslice offers the best BIS Registration and Certification assistance to the manufacturers at a very nominal price helping them to save a lot of time and effort that goes into this protracted process.

Also Read:
What is the Significance of BIS Certification?
How BIS is fulfilling its BIS Certification issuing responsibilities?

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