BIS Certification in India

What is BIS Certification?

BIS Certification mainly comprises product certification and system certification, which is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standard in compliance with the BIS Act, 2016 and Bureau of Indian Standard (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. 

Mandatory Product Certification

Both product and system certification schemes are voluntary in nature. However, for certain products, the Central Government directs mandatory use of Standard Mark under a Licence or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from BIS through issuance of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) or Compulsory Registration Orders.

BIS certification includes four mandatory schemes:

• Scheme-I Indian Standards Institution (ISI) Mark Scheme

• Scheme-II Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

• Scheme-IV Grant of Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

• Scheme-X Certification
  

FMCS Certification

BIS has been operating the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) since 2000, which allows foreign manufacturers to continue their businesses in India after receiving the BIS License. Under FMCS, license is granted for the use of Standard Mark on a product that conforms to an Indian Standard. The Scheme is applicable for grant of licence for all products except Electronics & IT Goods notified by MeitY. 

Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

In accordance with BIS Rule 16B (4) of 1987, if a foreign applicant wants to get a BIS Licence, first they need to designate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). AIR must be an Indian resident and is responsible for ensuring compliance with BIS rules and regulations on behalf of the foreign applicant.

Who must apply for BIS Certification?

Domestic or foreign manufacturer of products under compulsory certification (QCOs and Compulsory Registration Orders).

For foreign manufacturer, they are required to nominate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), who should be resident of India and will be responsible for preparation and application of BIS Certification as per BIS rules and regulations.

Which type of products need BIS Certification?

Since new types of products are constantly updated on the official BIS catalog, it is important to check the latest certification requirements of individual products with the authorities. Different schemes may share same product category, but are targeted at different individual products. 

Here is a brief overview of products under BIS Certification. 

Scheme-I (through issuance of QCOs): 

• Cement

• Household electrical goods

• Batteries

• Chemicals, fertilizers, polymers and textiles

• ...

Scheme-II (through issuance of Compulsory Registration Order):

• Electronic and IT goods

• Photovoltaics, systems, devices and components

• Low- Voltage swtichgear and control gear

• Chemicals

• Textiles

Scheme-IV (through issuance of QCOs):

• Stampings/laminations/cores of transformers (with or without winding);

• Retro-Reflective Devices for Bicycles.

Scheme-X (through issuance of QCOs):

• Low – Voltage switchgear and controlgear

The complete mandatory list of products currently covered by BIS Certification can be found here. 

Does BIS Certification applies to pure chemicals or mixtures?

In case of chemicals, the BIS certification is applicable on pure chemicals since QCOs are product specific. It is not mentioned if it is applicable on mixtures. In case of mixtures (A+B+C) in which C comes under mandatory certification list, the BIS authority handle these queries case by case. They may request for application, produc form or other relevant information to determine if the products need certification or not. 

How to apply for BIS Certification? 

As mentioned earlier, there are currently four types of mandatory certification schemes. A domestic manufacturer needs to apply for use of Standard Mark under a BIS License or CoC to ensure the compliance of their products to applicable Indian Standard Specifications. 

The manufacturers whose companies or premises are located outside of India are required to submit their FMCS application to get a BIS Licence to ensure the compliance with corresponding specifications.

Application Process

BIS Certification process differ for domestic and foreign manufacturers, in particular

For domestic manufacturers:

For foreign manufacturers:

For Scheme-I, Scheme-IV and Scheme-X, a factory inspection is required in addition to product testing. After grant of license/certificate, BIS may request random product audits. The license/certificate will be suspended or cancelled if the test report indicates non-conformity of the product to the relevant Indian Standard. In addition, any change to the manufacturing or product process will require retesting to maintain the certification validity. 

Here is a comparison of three BIS Certification Schemes:

Regulated chemicals under BIS Certification

Under BIS Certification framework, chemicals are mainly regulated under ISI and CRS Scheme. Here is a latest list of chemicals, fertilizers, polymers, and textiles subject to QCOs under ISI Sheme and CRS Scheme as notified by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) (updated on November 19, 2024):

ISI Mark Scheme(Factory inspection is required)

Once the QCO starts to take effect, companies need to apply for License to use BIS Standard Mark to manufacture, import, distribute, sell, store, or exhibit for sale these chemicals. Export is exempted from QCOs.

As India relaxes its prevention and control measures on pandemic and focuses on stepping up chemical regulations, it is expected that there will be fewer QCOs delay. According to the source, the mandatory list will expand to add around 200-300 substances in the near future. ChemLinked will keep a close eye and update the latest information. 

CRS Scheme (Factory inspection is not required)

Once the Compulsory Registration Order comes into force, companies are required to register with the Bureau and use BIS Standard Mark to manufacture, import, distribute, sell, store, or exhibit for sale these chemicals.