How to Apply for a BIS License?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the entity that issues BIS certificates. BIS certificate indicates a third party or BIS guarantee of the quality, reliability and safety of any product to customers. BIS is engaged in various activities like product certification, standard setting, testing, marking, calibration system, etc.

Although BIS certification of products is voluntary, the Government of India has mandated it for some products in the interest of public health. According to the Government announcement, around 280 products need to obtain a BIS certificate. Obtaining a BIS certificate allows licensees to utilize the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) mark on their products. The ISI mark depicts good quality in products.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

BIS is the national standards organization of India that is responsible for promoting and regulating the product and commodity standards. Eight central, four regional and three branch laboratories have been set up by the BIS in India for the purpose of testing samples of products at the initial stage and during surveillance activities. The Government encourages BIS product certification for the following purposes, although it is voluntary:

• It ensures public health.
• It ensures quality.
• It protects the consumer from dangerous products.
• It increases consumer confidence.

Benefits of BIS Certification

• Ensures quality standards as BIS-registered products must follow certain standards while manufacturing the goods.
• Authenticates the products to be capable of offering good quality, high performance and to be reliable.
• Products with BIS certification reduce environmental risks as the use of some chemicals and materials is banned under the BIS standards.
• BIS certificate is issued after samples of products are tested at BIS-established laboratories, which ensures quality control and good quality of such products.

Products Covered by BIS Certificate

There are various product categories that require mandatory BIS certification (Scheme I). There are a total of 380 products that require a mandatory certificate from BIS.

Manufacturers can also apply for a voluntary certificate for their products as it signifies such products to be of a high quality and compliance with various BIS standards.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has mandated BIS certification for some electronic and information technology items under the ‘Compulsory Registration System’ (CRS).

Types of BIS Registration Systems

BIS certification is offered to products under various schemes which are as follows:

• ISI Mark System Registration for Domestic Producers

Manufacturers of products covered by a mandatory BIS certificate (Scheme I) must register as per the normal procedure. It must be noted that some products that are mandated to obtain BIS certification may also fall under the list of products that need to be registered under the simplified process. Any BIS certified product that is also mentioned under products that qualify for simplified registration must be registered under the simplified process by its manufacturer.

As part of the normal BIS certification procedure, manufacturers of BIS-certified products must apply for BIS registration with the authorized officer, who has jurisdiction in the area where the manufacturing plant is located.

• Manufacturers need to submit Scheme-I Form V (BIS Registration Application) along with relevant documents and mandatory fee amount.
• BIS officials will conduct an initial assessment of the plant after receiving an application for a BIS certificate.
• Some samples of the products shall be collected and tested by BIS officials, who shall thereafter prepare independent test reports of the same. If the products meet the established quality standards, a BIS certificate/license is issued.

According to this procedure, the BIS license will be issued within 4-6 months from the submission of the registration application.

• Simplified Registration of Domestic Producers

BIS has introduced a simplified procedure to speed up the BIS licensing process. Manufacturers of products listed in the simplified procedure must apply for a BIS certificate in a simplified procedure. Under the simplified procedure, the BIS license is issued within 30 days of applying for a BIS certificate.

The manufacturer submits the BIS registration application, required documents, self-assessment reports and test reports of product samples from an authorized laboratory to the concerned BIS officer. Once the report meets the BIS standards, the officer shall inspect the factory and issue the BIS certificate within 30 days of applying for the certificate.

The simplified process applies to the BIS license for ‘All India First License’ and all the products listed under this process. However, it shall not be applicable in the following cases: Products such as valves, cylinders, cement, etc., for which approval from another regulatory authority is required. All products licensed by BIS based on factory tests.

Registration of the ECO Label System

BIS also certifies ecological products according to the ECO label system. All environmental items that comply with the Indian standards are classified by the BIS under this scheme.

• BIS gives ECO logo and ISI mark to products.

The logo and the mark signify the product’s compliance with environmental and quality standards established by the BIS in India. Products that meet such standards are given one mark to certify the same, which is actually a blend of the ISI mark and the ECO logo.

The process to obtain a BIS license under ECO labeling system is quite same as the process to obtain a BIS license for domestic manufacturers through the normal/simplified registration process. If you already have a BIS certificate for some product and wish to bring another product under the ECO mark system, you may make a special application to BIS. BIS will take the necessary steps to issue BIS license under ECO mark system.

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)

A different ISI mark is issued to foreign applicants or manufacturers by the BIS under the FMCS scheme within six months of filing an application. They may procure BIS certification for Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) and Compulsory BIS Certification Scheme (Scheme I) products.

• To allow foreign applicants or manufacturers to obtain and utilize the ISI standards in their products, the BIS introduced FMCS in 2000.
• Foreign manufacturers shall be required to establish a branch office in India after getting the necessary approvals and appoint a representative in the country as well.

A foreign applicant must submit an application for registration to BIS in the form, required documents and fees prescribed by BIS. BIS conducts a preliminary product inspection at the applicant's manufacturing and testing facilities and collects samples for independent testing.

Once satisfied that a product meets with their standards, the BIS shall issue a certificate for the product. If a BIS certificate is issued to a foreign producer or foreign applicants, they must pay an annual minimum registration fee and an annual license fee.

BIS Compulsory Registration System (CRS)

The ‘Compulsory Registration System’ (CRS) was announced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in 2012. This basically confirmed the 2012 mandatory registration requirement that 15 groups of electronic items had to fulfill. However, more electronics and information technology products were later added to CRS.

In CRS, manufacturers of products listed in CRS must compulsorily obtain BIS certificate for those products. As per the 2012 order of MeitY, no one shall manufacture, distribute or store for sale or import any products that do not comply with the Indian standards specified in the order. Such individuals are not permitted to have a unique BIS registration number for such products.

• Electronic products manufacturers are authorized by the BIS to utilize or implement a standard mark with a unique R number.
• Manufacturers can get BIS certificate under CRS by registering each product with their Declaration of Conformity by filling Form I through Smart Registration.

Manufacturers should make sure to get test reports for their products from BIS-authorized laboratories. They must submit a certified test kit report to BIS and take responsibility for the conformity of the product. They also have to submit an affidavit to verify that the product is BIS compliant. The BIS shall only issue a certificate when it is satisfied that the applicant has the required infrastructure for uninterrupted production of quality products and test results of the applicant’s products show that it complies with BIS standards.

BIS Registration Procedure

The procedure to register for BIS includes an authorization process and a monitoring process. The licensing process includes the following steps:

• Manufacturers apply for BIS registration.
• BIS official will visit the factory for pre-inspection.
• After inspection, product samples are tested.
• Once the evaluation is completed, the BIS officer calculates the final score.

After the inspection process, the inspection officer conducts a monitoring process to complete a full factory inspection. The monitoring process includes the following steps:

• The inspection body visits the factory to check the test results.
• The inspector sends the samples to independent laboratories.
• The test report provides comments or explanations about the selected study.
• A results evaluation report is being prepared.
• BIS license will be issued after verification of the report.

Documents Required for BIS Certificate

Different documents are required for different types of BIS registration systems. Following are the documents that must be submitted by the manufacturer to BIS for BIS certification:

• Proof of name and address of their office and factory.
• A document that displays that a production unit has been established. Documents eligible for this include a Certificate of Incorporation, Registration Certificate, Memorandum of Association, etc.
• MSME/SSI certificate, if any.
• Production process, which includes all production processes (from the raw material to the finished product stage).
• List of production machines and machine information.
• If necessary, information on the outsourcing of production operations.

Detailed List of Test Equipment

• Copies of valid calibration certificates for test equipment.
• Third Party Laboratory Test Report as per Indian Standards, if applicable.
• Layout of the manufacturing establishment and location plan of the manufacturing establishment.
• If needed, an internal/independent test report.
• If an authorized person has signed the application, a power of attorney from the CEO on behalf of the authorized signatory.
• In case of foreign manufacturer or foreign applicant, details of appointment and form of appointment of Indian representative.

Validity of BIS certificate

A BIS certificate is valid for a period of two years, after which manufacturers may renew their certification if there has been no deviation in the concerned products and prescribed standards. A renewed BIS certificate is valid for at least one year and at most five years.

A minimum annual registration fee and license fee is payable for renewal of the BIS certificate.

It must be noted that if the renewal application is filed after the certificate has expired, an amount of INR 5000 must be paid by the applicant.

Conclusion

A BIS certificate basically guarantees that a product has been reviewed by relevant authorities and is bound to be of the best quality. As such, it is imperative that the BIS ensures compliance with Indian Standards before issuing any product a BIS certificate. Besides, BIS has capped the validity of such certifications to ensure a single certificate does not allow manufacturers to forget the prescribed standards after a certain period.


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