INTRODUCTION

what is BIS Certification?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Certification body of India that issues BIS licenses to the manufacturers and importers for various products comes under BIS voluntary or mandatory certification schemes. BIS certification is a third-party assurance of the product's quality, the consumer's security, and the trustworthiness of BIS. The government of India established the Bureau of Indian Standards under the BIS Act, 1986, under the supervision of the Indian Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food, and Public Distribution.

Being a national agency BIS has responsibility for numerous certifications for maintaining the quality standard of the products in the Indian market. The Bureau of Indian Standards grants BIS certification to companies for products that meet quality standards under the Product Certification Scheme. Furthermore, this procedure conducted through the Bureau of India Standards helps businesses to establish a brand image for their product within the industry. Over the years, the BIS has been the second name in terms of authenticity and quality. After BIS Certification, producers can use their standard marking, on their BIS-certified products.

BIS certification is a process of certifying that a product conforms to a certain Indian standard and is therefore considered safe for use in the Indian market. BIS certification is mandatory for certain products listed in mandatory Product Certification Scheme of BIS, to be sold in India. Obtaining BIS certification requires passing various tests and inspections to ensure the product meets the relevant Indian standards.

Why BIS Certificate?

Whatever a consumer buys, from food to cars, from clothes to electronics, from branded items to non-branded ones, there is always a doubt in mind on how to determine whether they can trust the product or company. Are there any criteria using which one can determine the quality, luxury, or grade of the product that is to be purchased? If there are some parameters, then who decides these? How will your customers know they can trust your brand and its products? This is where BIS Certification comes into play.

BIS Certification (ISI Mark) in India is considered as a mark of trust for the buyers. A BIS Certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards allows the manufacturers to assure the consumers about product quality, consumer safety, and trustworthiness. BIS Certification Scheme is a voluntary scheme; however, some products are covered under the mandatory certification scheme of BIS.

What is ISI Mark?

ISI is an acronym for Indian Standards Institute, the National Standards body renamed Bureau of Indian Standards in 1987. The ISI Mark is the official mark given to producers by the Bureau of Indian Standards for diverse items. This ISI Mark has been considered a symbol of quality, safety, and trust since 1955. The ISI mark has been used as conformity marking for industrial products. It assures that the product complies with the Indian standards (IS) developed by India's national standard organization, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

ISI Mark Registration is obtaining the ISI mark for any product that complies with Indian Standards. Various electrical appliances require mandatory ISI marks, such as Electric Iron, Room Heaters, Room AC, Electric Stoves, Freezers, Electric cables, and other products like UPVC Pipes, Rubber & Leather Footwears, Composite Cements, various acids, etc.

Difference between BIS and ISI Mark

BIS, as a quality management organization, is responsible for providing quality certification as well as ensuring the quality, stability, and reliability of goods for end users. Whereas ISI Mark is a standard mark awarded by the Bureau of Indian Standards for the conformity of the product as per Indian standards. The ISI mark on the product indicates that a product matches the quality standard set by the BIS. Under the product certification scheme, BIS gives manufacturers a license to use the standard Mark (ISI Mark) on products that conform to applicable Indian standards. ISI Mark consisting of the Licence number as 'CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX' at the bottom of the ISI Mark and the Indian standard number at the top of the above ISI Mark.

Basic Requirements for BIS Certification

The following are the basic requirements for obtaining a BIS licence, as listed below.

• The product must meet the Indian Standard Specification criteria.
• BIS license is only given to the factory (manufacturer of finished products), not to the Distributor/Retailer.
• If a manufacturer has multiple factories, each of which is located at a distinct geographical address, the business must file a separate application for each product and factory location.
• The laboratory should be fully equipped with product testing equipment as well as qualified quality control personnel to test the product in accordance with the applicable ISS.
• All production machinery and testing facilities should be located on the factory premises as per ISS norms and respective SIT.
• All procedures should be completed in the same factory, from receiving raw materials to final packing. If any out-sourcing is required, clearance from the Bureau may be requested.
• The technical guidelines are available for all products covered under the Product Certification Scheme as 'Product Manuals'. Product manuals include sampling guidelines, a list of test equipment, a Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT), a description of scope etc. Applicant can refer to this Product Manual for BIS ISI Certification to prepare for the audit and application submission so that chances of rejection can be avoided.

Benefits of BIS Certification (ISI Mark Certificate)

With ISI Mark Certification, companies and their products simply unlock the following motives:

• ISI Mark Certificate allows the manufacturers uninterrupted manufacturing and selling of their products in every part of India.
• BIS certification allows the manufacturers to use the Standard Mark i.e, ISI Mark on their manufactured products that are in the mandatory certification scheme. Manufacturing these products without an ISI Mark could result in a substantial fine, imprisonment or both.
• ISI Mark on any product ensures consumer's safety and health and develops trust.
• BIS certified product ensures high quality and consumer satisfaction, which increases revenue.

Do you know that ISI Mark Certification is mandatory in India for more than 150 products? Even though it is voluntary to get BIS license, the BIS made it compulsory to attain the certificate on certain products to make sure the safety of the consumers from counterfeits and fake merchandise.

List of Products Under ISI Certification:

• Food-related products
• Glass & Glassware
• Cylinders and regulators
• Building Materials
• Primary Batteries
• Rubber
• Oil pressure stoves
• Wire & Cables
• Medical equipment
• Shoes & Leather Products
• Cement
• Automotive
• Capacitors
• Aluminum
• Chemicals and fertilizers
• Wheel Rim & Valves
• Household electrical goods
• Steel Products
• Electric motors and transformers

BIS ISI CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR INDIAN MANUFACTURERS

In this section we will discuss about "How to apply for ISI Mark?" or we can say "How to get ISI Certification for your Product?" The ISI Mark Certification process in India involves the following steps:

1. Relevant Product Code selection
2. ISI Mark Registration online Aplication form fill up with the required documents
3. Factory audit by BIS authorized auditor
4. Sample Report submission by BIS authorized laboratory
5. Grant of licence by BIS Authority

Further the BIS certification can be obtained following two different procedures

1. Normal Procedure (takes 60 - 65 days)
2. Simplified Procedure (takes 35 40 days)

Normal Procedure

The following steps will take place under normal procedure:

1. First, the applying party has to prepare for the BIS Certificate requirements, especially setting in-house labs and preparing products as per Indian Standards with other required documents.
2. Afterward, the BIS official will conduct an inspection process of products along with the factory/industry.
3. Once the inspection gets completed, the sealed samples of the goods are further sent for testing at the BIS approved laboratories.
4. If the product passes all the test parameters, then only it gets approved from the BIS, and the authority issues the BIS certificate for Indian Manufacturers in 60 to 65 days from the submission of the application.

Simplified Procedure

This procedure of BIS Certification is much faster than compared to the regular procedure.

1. Initially, the applying party submits the report of the samples already tested and approved by BIS as per Indian Standard.
2. Afterward, the applicant has to submit an BIS online registration application and BIS Certification Cost along with other required sets of documents.
3. During scrutiny of application documents, the BIS official will conduct an inspection process of products along with the factory/industry.
4. Once the inspection gets completed, the sealed samples of the goods are further sent for testing at the BIS approved laboratories.
5. Then, if verified and approved according to the commended standards, the certificate is granted by the BIS within 35 to 40 days of application.

Documents Required to Get BIS ISI Mark Certificate in India

Documentations requirement is very specific and generic for the BIS Certification application which includes:

1. Laboratory Test Reports as per Product Standard
2. Factory Registration Documents
3. Manufacturing process flow chart
4. In-house Testing Facilities
5. Details of Authorized Signatory and other related documents.