BIS Certification for Transformers and Their Components

By EVTL Team
2 June 2025
BIS Certification for Transformers and Their Components
HS Code: 850421, 850422,850423, 850431, 850432,850433, 850434 and 850490.
All types of Transformers and (or)their assemblies /sub-assemblies /components.

Transformers are the lifeblood of power transmission and distribution networks. Whether used in industrial, commercial, or utility applications, transformers must meet the highest safety and performance standards due to the critical nature of their operation. To strengthen safety, reliability, and standardization in the Indian electrical equipment sector, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made BIS certification for all types of transformers and their assemblies/sub-assemblies/components mandatory under Scheme X Certification.

Let’s take a comprehensive overview of the BIS Scheme X certification for transformers, its process, benefits, and the key compliance requirements every manufacturer must know.

What Is BIS Scheme X Certification?

Launched on 16th March 2022, BIS Scheme X Certification is a specialized regulatory framework introduced under the BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations, 2018. It specifically targets machinery and electrical equipment, aiming to ensure that such products meet prescribed Indian Standards for quality, safety, and performance.

To enforce this framework, the Ministry of Heavy Industries, through the Omnibus Technical Regulation Order, 2024, mandated that all manufacturers—domestic or international—must obtain BIS certification under Scheme X for transformers and similar equipment by 28th August 2025.

Scope: Which Products Are Covered?

The mandate applies toall types of transformers and their components, including:

  • Power Transformers

  • Distribution Transformers

  • Instrument Transformers (Current & Voltage)

  • Dry-Type Transformers

  • Oil-Immersed Transformers

  • Auto Transformers

  • Special Purpose Transformers (e.g., welding or rectifier transformers)

  • Transformer Cores, Windings, Bushings, Tap Changers

  • Enclosures, Cooling Systems, and Control Assemblies

Essentially, any transformer or itsassemblies, sub-assemblies, and componentsthat fall under Indian customs or HS Code categories relevant to electrical machinery and transformers must comply.

Why Is BIS Certification for Transformers Important?

1. Safety Assurance

Transformers operate under high voltage and must function without causing hazards like electric shocks, fire, or breakdowns. BIS certification for transformers ensures the equipment complies with safety regulations, minimizing the risk of failure.

2. Performance & Reliability

A certified transformer undergoes rigorous testing to guarantee efficiency, minimal losses, and operational durability, which are essential for grid stability.

3. Regulatory Compliance

After28th August 2025, it will be illegal to manufacture, import, distribute, or sell non-certified transformers in India. Compliance with the BIS Scheme X certification for transformers will be compulsory.

4. Market Access

With BIS approval, manufacturers gain access to the Indian market without regulatory roadblocks, enhancing brand credibility and customer confidence.

BIS Scheme X Certification Process for Transformers

Step 1: Determine Applicability

Check whether your transformer product or components fall under the BIS Scheme X mandate. This includes checking HS codes, product descriptions, and standard applicability.

Step 2: Documentation Preparation

Prepare and compile all required documents:

  • Technical drawings and specifications

  • Product test reports (from BIS-approved labs)

  • Factory license and layout plan

  • Quality control manual and process flowchart

  • Details of in-house testing capabilities

Step 3: Online Application

Submit the application on theBIS portalwith required documentation and prescribed fees.

Step 4: Product Testing

Send product samples to a BIS-recognized lab for testing as per the relevant Indian Standards.

Step 5: Factory Inspection

BIS officials will conduct an inspection of the manufacturing facility to verify the production setup, quality controls, and conformance with Indian standards.

Step 6: Grant of License

Upon successful review and compliance, BIS grants the certification and license to use theStandard Markon products.

Step 7: Post-Certification Surveillance

Certified manufacturers are subject to periodic surveillance, including factory audits and product testing, to ensure ongoing compliance.

Conclusion

The introduction of the BIS Scheme X Certification for transformers is a critical move toward enhancing product quality, reliability, and electrical safety in India. Whether you are a manufacturer, importer, or OEM supplier of transformers and components, aligning with these standards is not just a regulatory necessity but also a strategic opportunity.

With28th August 2025set as the compliance deadline, the time to act is now. Begin the certification process, ensure your products are tested and validated, and secure your position in the evolving Indian electrical machinery market. If you're a transformer manufacturer looking to get BIS certified under Scheme X, partnering with EVTL India, a professional BIS consultant can help you fast-track the process and ensure complete compliance.