BIS Certification Schemes, Process, Documents, Fees

BIS Certification | Schemes of BIS Certification in India

BIS certification, also known as Indian BIS Certification, is the process of getting a BIS License or BIS Certificate Online from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for the manufacturing and marketing of various products in India. BIS Certification Scheme and BIS Registration schemes are basically voluntary; thus, they allow companies to decide whether they wish to obtain the certification.

However, for some specified products, the Central Government mandates the Mandatory Certification Scheme so that the Indian Standards are met. The mandatory Product Certification Scheme carry some essential objectives including: the protection of the public, the health and safety of people, animals and plants, fostering environmental protection, the prevention of unfair business practices, and the security of the country.

In these situations, the Central Government is obligated to use the Standard Mark acquired through a BIS License Online in India or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) addressed to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Presently, it is the turn of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to display its role in the Indian market where it guarantees the quality standards of the products. 

Overview of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is an autonomous body set up by the Government of India under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. It is an Indian Standard Organization that operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India.

Ensuring the quality, safety, and reliability of products for end-users is the main goal of the Bureau. The issuance of different quality certificates including BIS Certificate, ISI Mark, and the active participation of the Bureau in the management, grading, setting of industry standards, and testing of products imported and marketed in India comes under this category.

In 1986, legislation was passed which authorized the BIS to provide a manufacturer's voluntary product certification scheme. It is essential to mention that the sale of BIS mandatory products list in the country must conform to the relevant Indian standards along with the mark of the standards such as ISI Mark. 

Non-fulfillment of these conditions constitutes the ground for the prohibition against the marketing of such goods in India. Next, let us discuss the functions performed by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Objectives of BIS Certification

The primary goals of mandatory BIS Certification include:

•  Public Safety – Ensures that products don’t pose hazards to consumers.

•  Quality Assurance – Guarantees consistent product performance and durability.

•  Environmental Protection – Promotes eco-friendly manufacturing.

•  Fair Trade Practices – Prevents substandard, counterfeit, and deceptive products.

•  National Security – Stops the circulation of harmful or insecure goods in the market.

Activities of BIS

Let's take a look at what the Bureau of Indian Standards does:

1. Standard Formulation

2. Product Certification and ISI Marking

3. Testing Facilities

4. Training & Awareness

5. System Certification

In the previous paragraph, we obtained knowledge about What is BIS Certification and its various functions. Now, we can see the different types of certification schemes that are offered by BIS.

What is the BIS Certification Scheme?

The BIS Certification Scheme is organized by BIS to issue many kinds of quality certifications for various products. This initiative is internship, which will allow the general public to obtain as well as study high-quality, risk-free products. To promote the selling and buying of such products, BIS implements a product certification scheme, to grant manufacturers with a BIS Certificate to put the standard mark on products and sell milk to the Indian Market.

Nevertheless, the product certification scheme is optional, but the Indian government has made it obligatory to acquire BIS certification for some products, for instance, aluminium foil, helmets, pressure cookers, toys, water heaters, cables, etc. The producer is required to obtain a BIS License Online in India to associate the ISI mark on products and put them up for sale in the Indian market.

Various Categories of BIS Certification

1. Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS)

2. Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme

3. Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

4. Hallmarking Scheme

5. Eco Mark Scheme

Now, since you know about various BIS certification 2024 Schemes, let's understand each certification scheme one by one.

Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme

Let's initially get an overview of the foreign manufacturer certification scheme of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for the foreign manufacturer. The Bureau of Indian Standards, which is governed by the regulations of the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Act of 2016, has been facilitating the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme since 2000. Through this program, foreign manufacturing companies are permitted to put the ISI mark on their product as well as selling it in the Indian market. Based on the FMCS scheme, the Bureau of Indian standards grants a BIS license to foreign manufacturers to use the ISI mark on a product that conforms to applicable Indian standards.

The foreign manufacturer certification department (FMCD) is the only eligible authority granting foreign manufacturers manufacturing licenses. The significant aim of BIS Certification providing quality certificates to foreign manufacturers is to guarantee that the public gets durable, risk-free products.

BIS FMCS is applicable for the certification mark licenses for all products except for Electronics & IT goods. If the imported product is other than electronics and IT goods, then the manufacturer must get the BIS certificate for imports under the FMCS scheme.

Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme

BIS runs a product testing scheme or it can be referred to as an ISI mark certification scheme as per the guidelines of granting a manufacturer a license to utilize it in compliance with the conformity assessment scheme - I of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulation, 2018. In this case, BIS provides manufacturers with permission to apply the ISI mark on the products that fulfill the relevant Indian standards.

ISI Mark The ISI mark is a standard mark given by the Bureau of Indian Standards for the product to use. The ISI mark on a product is a guarantee that the product has met the requirements of Indian standards. To the buyers, the ISI mark is a confidence symbol. A manufacturer who wants to put ISI Mark on the product will have to take a BIS license from the Bureau of Indian Standards. To obtain a BIS license, the manufacturer must ensure that their product meets all the applicable Indian standards.

Compulsory Registration Scheme BIS Certification, also runs a Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for Electronics and Information Technology Goods for the product categories listed by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This BIS Certification Scheme, which was launched in 2012 by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), seeks to protect consumers from counterfeit and inferior products.

As per the Compulsory Registration Scheme Orders, it is prohibited for anyone to produce or keep for sale, sell, import, or distribute items that are not in compliance with the Indian standards mentioned in the order and that do not have the Standard Mark with a unique registration number obtained from BIS Certification India.

All electronics & IT products need to obtain BIS Certification under BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (BIS CRS) / BIS Registration Scheme. Before the commercialization of BIS products, it is a must to obtain a BIS registration.

The manufacturers obtain from BIS a permit to use or apply the Standard Mark with a special R-number on the goods related to electronics and IT. Your self-declaration of conformity for the goods and articles as per Indian Standards is the basis for the BIS Registration.

Hallmarking Registration

The introduction of gold hallmarking and silver hallmarking schemes by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in 2000 and 2005 respectively was a move made to safeguard the customers from adulteration and to compel the jewelers to adhere to a legally prescribed standard of purity. Hallmarking is the act of accurately measuring and officially codifying the content of precious metal in precious metal products. Consequently, a hallmark is a kind of official mark used in various countries to guarantee the quality of gold and silver items.

A jeweller can only manufacture or sell gold or silver jewelry if he/she registers under BIS Certification India. Hallmarking is the scheme that BIS Certification consultant oversees that allows/permits jewellers to manufacture and sell hallmark jewelry. Under the hallmarking scheme, BIS Consultant for Manufacturers provides specific locations for jewellers to set up their businesses.

Assaying and hallmarking centers must also be BIS-approved. The assaying and hallmarking center for which BIS Certification recognizes shall follow the procedures for the assaying and hallmarking of jewelry according to ISO 15820:2009.

Eco mark

The ECO Mark Scheme, which is a part of labeling for environment-friendly technologies, is administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards. This BIS Certification Scheme comprises various product categories such as Soaps and Detergents, Paints, Food Items, Lubricating Oils, Packing/Packaging Materials, Architectural Paints and Powder Coatings, Batteries, Electrical and Electronic Goods, Food Additives, Wood Substitutes, Cosmetics, Aerosols and Propellants, Plastic Products, Textiles, Fire-extinguisher, Leather and Coir & Coir Products.

The presence of the ECO Logo on a product along with the ISI Mark is a declaration that it satisfies both specific environmental criteria and the quality requirements necessary as per the applicable Indian Standard.

The Scheme is the responsibility of BIS or the Bureau of Indian Standards under which they are also authorized to renew, suspend, or cancel licenses. This not only involves the licenses but also conducting inspections and collecting samples for analysis of any material or substance concerning which the ECO Mark Scheme has been applied.

Product categories include:

• Soaps, detergents, packaging materials.

• Electrical and electronic goods.

• Food items, paints, textiles, and cosmetics.

Products Requiring BIS Certification

While BIS certification is optional for many goods, it is mandatory for over 380 products, including:

• Consumer Goods: Pressure cookers, helmets, geysers, toys.

• Electronics: Laptops, smartphones, power supplies.

• Construction Materials: Cement, steel bars, wires.

A voluntary BIS certification can also boost brand credibility, even if not required by law.

Advantages of obtaining BIS Certification

BIS certificate online is the ticket to win producers' trust through. With consumers, the product that they purchase is trusted as one that is safe and high in quality. A manufacturer can obtain a competitive edge over rivals through the process of acquiring the BIS License Online in India. The manufacturer is assured of the fact that the product meets the Indian standards that are relevant to it.

•  Consumer Confidence: Buyers trust BIS-certified products more.

•  Regulatory Compliance: Seamless approval from Indian authorities.

•  Market Access: Entry into government tenders and regulated markets.

•  Competitive Edge: Differentiates your brand from uncertified competitors.

•  Export Advantage: Helps Indian exporters meet international expectations.

Steps to accomplish BIS certification:

Whether you're a domestic or foreign manufacturer, the process to get BIS certification includes:

1. Documentation
   Prepare business license, trademark certificate, product specifications, testing reports, and a manufacturing flowchart.

2. Application Submission
   File the application online or offline with all documents.

3. Scrutiny
   BIS reviews your application and requests corrections if needed.

4. Factory Audit
   BIS inspects your manufacturing premises to assess quality controls.

5. Product Testing
   Product samples are tested in BIS-approved laboratories.

6. License Grant
   Once tests are cleared and the audit is successful, BIS issues the license and you can use the ISI mark or registration number.

Documents Required for BIS Certification

• Business License

• Trademark License

• Application form

• Air details

• Authorization letter

• Flow chart of the manufacturing process

• Product Literature

• List of testing equipment & machinery

• Technical specifications

• Any additional documents, if necessary

Cost of BIS Certification

The total cost varies based on product category, number of models, and applicant location.

AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) Roles

In order to acquire BIS certification in India through the BIS FMCS scheme or BIS registration under CRS scheme, all foreign manufacturers have to appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).

The domestic manufacturer can directly apply to the BIS Certification Online using the BIS login portal without the need to nominate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). The AIR shall be accountable for compliance with the terms and conditions of the Indian BIS Act, Rules, Regulations, and those provided in the BIS License guidelines.

The nomination of AIR will be different according to the following points:

• In case the manufacturer has a liaison or branch office in India, they will be specified as the AIR.

• In case the manufacturer does not have a liaison office/branch office in India, but the proprietor/registered
  user of the brand/trademark that is on the object is located in India, he will be the
  proprietor/registered user of the AIR.
• In case the manufacturer has a liaison office in India and there is no proprietor/registered user
• of the brand/trademark that is on the article in India, then the other organization will be the AIR.

The manufacturer must get BIS certification for the use of the ISI Mark. I trust I have answered all of your questions regarding BIS certification.

Why Choose EVTL India for BIS Certification?

EVTL India is one of India’s top BIS Consultants with extensive experience helping both Indian and global manufacturers achieve full BIS compliance.

EVTL India Offers:

•  Expert Documentation & Filing Support

•  Audit Preparation & Guidance

•  Lab Testing Coordination

•  AIR Services for Foreign Clients

•  Quick Turnaround & Complete Transparency

Whether it’s your first certification or a new product launch, EVTL India ensures you meet all BIS requirements quickly and efficiently.

Conclusion

As the manufacturers, you have to obtain a BIS Certification under some Schemes which is the only way to continue the international trading and selling of this product in the Indian market without any interruptions. If you are newly getting a BIS Certificate Online, then you could be confused about the procedure.

This is, therefore, a proper decision to look for professionals' guidance and help so that they will take care of all the procedures to enable you to get a BIS Certification. Products manufacturers all around the world are offered advice by EVTL India. You can quickly get an ISI mark for your product from BIS thanks to the help of the EVTL team.

EVTL India facilitates the application of the quality assurance system that has been proven and accepted internationally, which, in turn, empowers the Industries to achieve increased production efficiency and better quality standards.

EVTL India promises to offer world-class auditing and quality control assurance services. The EVTL team assists the manufacturing unit and process to meet international standards for hassle-free business under Indian BIS Certification. 

To resolve any issues related to BIS Certification, Product testing, Compliance, Auditing, etc., you can contact us at +91 93540 46392.