High visibility warning wear includes special type of apparels that are specifically designed for increasing the visibility of the workers in poor light conditions. They are widely worn in construction site, road maintenance sites, rail yard, mine site, and industrial yards where heavy vehicles and machinery move continuously. The visibility wears are manufactured using reflective strips along with fluorescent fabrics to provide better visibility of the wearers even in low light conditions or any adverse conditions.
In order to maintain their consistent performance in terms of safety and other criteria, BIS certification is required prior to releasing them in the market. According to IS 15809:2017, the wear should have good color performance, reflective performance, durability after wash and durability to environment exposure test. It ensures the quality of materials and maintains visibility property of the clothes under different conditions.
What is IS 15809: 2017
This is the Indian Standard that specifies requirements for high-visibility warning clothing designed to enhance the visibility of users in low-light, dark, or high-risk working environments. It outlines the reflective characteristics and design requirements to ensure better visual detection and safety in occupational settings such as road work and construction. As per the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), these clothes are:
- Evaluated for retro-reflective material efficiency
- Tested for colour luminance
- Assessed for durability
- Checked for reflective consistency
Eligibility for BIS Approval of Reflective Safety Jackets
BIS authorisation under IS 15809: 2017 is required for businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, or supplying Fluorescent Safety Clothing in India.
Applicable to:
- Manufacturers (India) - Must get BIS approval if the products are covered under QCO.
- Foreign Manufacturers - Need certification to export high-visibility clothing to India.
- Importers/Brand Owners - Must ensure that the products are BIS-certified before sale.
- Sellers/Distributors - Should only sell certified Reflective Apparel.
Testing and Inspection Requirements
To ensure reliable visibility and safety of workers in low-light and high-risk environments, the Bureau of Indian Standards specifies minimum requirements in IS 15809: 2017. The purpose of this certification is to ensure that the products meet the criteria of fluorescence, reflectivity, durability, and visibility performance.
The BIS testing parameters and quality checks for the high-visibility warning clothing are listed below:
BIS Licence Application Process for Reflective Safety Jackets
The BIS Authorisation process ensures that the reflective industrial clothing meets the required standards for proper and efficient operation. This process is set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and includes the following steps:
- Online Registration: Manufacturers register on the BIS Manak portal by submitting company, factory, and product details. Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
- Testing at BIS-Approved Laboratory: Product samples are tested in BIS-approved laboratories for colour performance, luminance factor, retroreflection efficiency, tensile strength, tear resistance, colour fastness, durability and overall performance of high-visibility warning clothes.
- Application Submission: The application is submitted along with test reports, technical documents, and factory details. In the case of foreign manufacturers, AIR-related documentation must also be provided.
- Factory Inspection: A team from BIS visits the manufacturing plant to ensure that the manufacturing process is safe, secure, and follows good quality-control practices.
- Grant of BIS License: Once all requirements and compliance criteria are successfully fulfilled, BIS grants the certification license under Scheme-I.
- Use of ISI Mark: After this, the manufacturer is allowed to affix the ISI Mark to the product with its valid CM/L number.
List of Documents for IS 15809: 2017 Approval
| Document Category | Documents Required |
|---|
| Basic Details | GST Certificate, Email ID & Contact Number, Factory & Office Address, Rent Agreement / Lease Deed (if applicable),Partnership Deed (if applicable for partnership firms) |
| Manufacturing Details | List of Machinery, Process Flow Chart, Factory Layout Plan |
| Raw Material Details | List of Raw Materials, Supplier Details, Raw Material Invoices, Raw Material Test Certificates |
| Testing & Quality Control | List of Testing Equipment, Calibration Certificates, QC/Lab In-charge Appointment Letter & Qualification |
| Production Details | Annual Installed Capacity, Last Year Production Value |
| Product & Packaging Details | Quantity per Package, Nature of Packing, Product Printing / Marking Details |
| Management Details | Top Management Details, BIS Communication Contact Person |
| Brand & Certification Documents | Trademark / Brand Certificate, Consent Letter from BIS Recognized Laboratory |
| Additional Documents | Weekly Off Details, Hygiene Document (if applicable), Relaxation Letter (if applicable), Any Other Relevant Document |
| Foreign Manufacturer Requirement | Appointment of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for BIS coordination and compliance in India |
The Foreign manufacturers must designate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) in India. The representative is the local point of contact for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and manages all compliance and regulatory requirements in India.
Marking Requirements & License Validity
Marking Requirements
After receiving approval from BIS, ISI Marking for Safety Vests with Reflective Tape shall be properly marked either on its package or on the item itself in a clear, legible manner. The mark shall be accompanied by certain details as well, such as the manufacturer’s identification and license number (CM/L). Additional details are provided below:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| ISI Mark | Indicates that the product is BIS certified and conforms to standards |
| Standard Number | IS 15809: 2017 |
| CML Number | Certification Marks License (CML) number issued by BIS |
| Manufacturer Details | Name of manufacturer or registered trademark |
| Batch / Date | Batch number, heat number, or manufacturing date for traceability |
Note: Marking is typically applied using durable stamping, tagging, or permanent printing to ensure clear identification during handling, storage, and transportation, as per BIS marking requirements.
Duration of BIS Licence for High Visibility Safety Clothing
| particulars | Details |
|---|
| Initial Validity | Typically 1 to 2 years, depending on BIS approval conditions |
| Renewal | Must be renewed before expiry by submitting the application along with the prescribed fee and updated documents |
| Surveillane | BIS may inspect factories and test samples periodically |
| Annual Fees | Annual license fee must be paid regularly |
| Compliance | Continuous compliance with BIS requirements is necessary |
| License Format | BIS is shifting towards a 10-digit license number format |
| Non-Compliance Risk | May lead to suspension or cancellation of license |
Fees for Fluorescent Safety Clothing BIS Approval
The cost of BIS Approval for reflective PPE clothing includes charges for application, inspection, license, testing, and marking. These fees are paid to BIS as per Scheme I guidelines.
| Charge Type | Indian Manufacturers | Foreign Manufacturers |
|---|
| Application Fee | INR 1,000 | USD 15 |
| Audit Charges | INR 7,000 | USD 3,200 – 5,900 |
| License Fee | INR 1,000 | USD 15 |
| Marking Fee | As applicable | As applicable |
| Testing Charges | As applicable | As applicable |
| EVTL India Consultancy Fee | As per actual | As per actual |
Note:
- Application fee for foreign manufacturers is payable via SWIFT (SAARC countries may pay in INR with applicable GST).
- Audit charges for foreign manufacturers vary based on country/location.
- The marking fee is determined based on the product category and production volume (MSME benefits may apply).
- Testing charges are to be paid directly to BIS-recognised laboratories.
- Consultancy fees can vary depending on product type and factory location.
Conclusion
High-visibility warning clothes are an essential safety requirement for places where visibility plays a significant role in accident prevention. The certified clothing will offer more guarantee that workers will be highly visible in daytime or nighttime conditions. It will improve safety discipline in work sites and minimize cases of accidents and collision incidents. Companies dealing with the product certification process need support to handle documentation easily. EVTL India offers assistance in managing compliance processes, technical file preparation, and certification processes, among others. The support will help reduce delays in the process of getting approvals from BIS.
