BIS Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL) | EVTL India

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) plays a crucial role in maintaining product quality and safety in India through its certification process. The Grant of Licence (GoL) is an integral part of this process, ensuring that manufacturers meet the requirements of the relevant Indian Standards (IS) before receiving approval to use the Standard Mark (ISI Mark).

This blog provides a detailed overview of the GoL process, as per the Conformity Assessment Scheme – I of Schedule – II of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

1. Understanding the Grant of Licence (GoL) Process

The GoL process involves:

●  Factory visits for assessment.

●  Sample collection and testing.

●  Compliance with Indian Standards.

●  Issuance of BIS certification upon successful verification.

The process is divided into two options:

(a) Option 1: Standard GoL Process

●  Expected completion time: 90 days from the date of application.

●  Factory assessment, product testing, and documentation must be satisfactory at first instance.

(b) Option 2: Fast-Track GoL Process

●      Expected completion time: 30 days, subject to:

○  Satisfactory factory visit.

○  Confirmation of sample dispatch to the laboratory.

○  Advance annual marking fee payment.

●  If a sample is not delivered to the lab within 15 working days, the manufacturer will be contacted for resolution.

(c) Special Case: All India First Licence Applications

●  Applications for new products are processed within 45 days, unless minimum testing time is longer.

●  Weekly review of application status by Head (BO) to prevent delays.

●  Applications are generally processed under Option 1, unless a third-party laboratory is available.

2. Factory Visit Requirements for GoL

A factory visit is mandatory for verifying the manufacturing process, quality control, and compliance.

(a) Duration of Factory Visit

●  Indian manufacturers: Usually one day.

●  Foreign manufacturers: Typically two days.

●  Additional visits may be required, as per the decision of Head (BO).

(b) Documents Reviewed During Factory Visit

1. Self-Evaluation cum Verification Report (Annexure-I).
2. Details of Quality Control Personnel.
3. Calibration Certificates of testing equipment.
4. Test Certificates of Raw Materials (if applicable).
5. Sample Drawings of product/components.
6. Hygienic Condition Report (if applicable).
7. Plant Layout with manufacturing, storage, and testing areas.
8. Factory Location Plan.
9. Declaration of Subcontracted Tests.
10. Inspection & Test Plan (if applicable).
11. Undertaking for Long Duration Tests (Annexure-III).
12. Undertaking for Option 2 certification (Annexure-IV).
13. Corrective Actions from previous licenses (if applicable).

(c) Factory Testing (FT) Requirements

●  Workmanship, visual inspection, and surface defect checks.

●  Tests as per Clause 4 (i)(1) and 4 (i)(2) for partial test reports.

●  In cases where third-party testing is unavailable, testing can be conducted at the factory under BIS supervision.

3. Sample Drawl and Testing

After factory assessment, product samples are drawn for third-party laboratory testing.

(a) Sample Selection

●  Based on the Scheme of Inspection & Testing (SIT).

●  If a product has tests conducted once in 6 months, those tests are prioritized.

●  Samples are sealed and dispatched to BIS-approved laboratories.

(b) Testing Procedures

●  If a product requires long-duration tests (30+ days), test reports from internal/external labs can be submitted.

●  If a long-duration test fails, the license may be canceled.

4. Post-Certification Compliance

(a) Licence Conditions

1. All production must comply with BIS standards.
2. The manufacturer must display BIS certification details at their premises.
3. The certification must be mentioned in advertisements.
4. The license is valid for a minimum of 1 year and up to 2 years.

(b) Review of Test Reports

●  If a sample fails after GoL, the license may be suspended.

●  If a re-drawn sample fails again, the license is canceled.

5. Rejection and Cancellation of Licence

(a) Reasons for Application Rejection

●  Failure to offer samples for testing within 30 days.

●  Repeated failures of product samples.

●  Lack of testing facilities or qualified personnel.

●  Pending financial dues to BIS.

●  Tampering of documents or unethical practices.

●  Refusal to assist BIS officials during factory visits.

(b) Rejection Process

●  A 21-day notice is given before rejection.

●  The applicant is allowed to explain their case.

●  If unsatisfactory, the application is officially rejected (Annexure-VII).

(c) Fresh Applications for Cancelled Licences

●  If a license is canceled due to sample non-conformity, fresh applications will be processed under Option 1 only.

6. Additional Guidelines for Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers must comply with additional BIS certification requirements as per Annexure-VIII.

7. Fee Structure for GoL

1. Inspection Fee: Paid in advance.
2. Advance Annual Minimum Marking Fee:

○  50% paid during application submission.

○  Remaining 50% (or higher) paid at GoL stage.

3. Testing Fee:

○  Option 1: Paid by the applicant.

○  Option 2: Included in the marking fee.

8. Labelling and Marking Requirements

●  Manufacturers must comply with BIS labelling and marking regulations.

●  Digital labels (QR codes, barcodes) may be used if permitted by BIS product-specific guidelines.

9. Appeals and Relaxations

●  Manufacturers can appeal to the Director General (Annexure-IX).

●  For products with no third-party laboratory, relaxations may be granted as per Annexure-X.

Conclusion

The Grant of Licence (GoL) process under BIS Conformity Assessment Scheme – I is a structured and well-regulated procedure aimed at ensuring that manufacturers meet Indian quality and safety standards. By following the detailed factory inspection, testing, and certification process, manufacturers can obtain and maintain their BIS certification efficiently.

For expert guidance on BIS Certification and regulatory compliance, contact EVTL India, your trusted certification consultant!