BIS Certification for Pulverized Fuel Ash-Cement Bricks IS 16720

The construction industry is currently paying more attention to material resources that provide high performance in terms of sustainability. The BIS Certification for Pulverized Fuel Ash-Cement Bricks is among such compliance issues, which concerns manufacturers producing bricks for the residential sector, commercial projects and infrastructure projects. These products made from pulverized fuel ash and cement provide dimensional accuracy and a quality surface.

The construction material should be able to perform under different environmental and load conditions during its service life. It is for this reason that the Indian Standard IS 16720:2018 lays down criteria for physical properties, dimensions, compressive strength, water absorption and other important quality considerations that affect product performance. The producers of the product who seek BIS certification must prove compliance with relevant standards using testing, quality control and other processes.

What is IS 16720:2018

This Indian Standard covers Pulverized Fuel Ash-Cement Bricks used in construction and masonry work. It ensures structural integrity and uniform quality for building applications. As per BIS, these bricks are:

Assessed for water absorption levels
Evaluated for dimensional accuracy
Checked for compressive strength
Tested for durability

Who Needs BIS Approval for Pulverized Fuel Ash Cement Bricks

BIS authorisation under IS 16720:2018 is required for businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, or supplying Cement Fuel Ash Bricks in India.

Applicable to:

Manufacturers (India) - Must get BIS approval if Fuel Ash Bricks are covered under QCO.
Foreign Manufacturers - Need certification to export Sustainable Fly Ash Brick to India.
Importers/Brand Owners - Must ensure that the products are BIS-certified before sale.
Sellers/Distributors - Should only sell certified PFA Cement Bricks.

BIS Laboratory Testing for Pulverized Fuel Ash Cement Bricks

To increase construction safety and maintain standardization of the structure, IS 16720:2018 provides quality specifications for Pulverized Fuel Ash-Cement Bricks for construction purposes. This will ensure consistent quality in terms of strength, size, and durability of the bricks. The BIS testing parameters and quality checks for the Pulverized Fuel Ash-Cement Bricks are listed below:

Test Group	What is Tested	Purpose
Dimensional Test	Length, width, height of bricks including tolerances (modular and non-modular sizes)	Ensures bricks conform to standard dimensions for proper masonry bonding
Visual Inspection Test	Shape, color uniformity, sharpness of edges, surface cracks, defects	Ensures aesthetic quality and absence of visible defects affecting usability
Compressive Strength Test	28-day wet compressive strength of brick specimens	Ensures load-bearing capacity and structural strength of bricks
Density Test	Density of bricks (kg/m³ including void consideration)	Ensures proper material compactness and quality consistency
Water Absorption Test	Percentage water absorbed after 24-hour immersion	Ensures durability, weather resistance, and quality of curing
Drying Shrinkage Test	Shrinkage percentage after drying under controlled conditions	Ensures dimensional stability and crack resistance
Sampling & Lot Conformity Test	Selection of samples from lot and classification for testing	Ensures statistically valid quality evaluation of production batch
Manufacturing Quality Test	Mixing ratio (PFA ≥ 35%), mixing uniformity, compaction method, curing method	Ensures consistent production quality and material composition
Frog Dimension Test	Depth and presence of frog (10–20 mm) where applicable	Ensures proper mortar bonding and structural interlocking
Strength Variation Test	Individual brick strength variation vs average strength	Ensures uniform performance and rejection control for weak bricks
Handling & Defect Resistance Test	Damage resistance during demoulding, handling, and curing	Ensures product durability during manufacturing and transport

Step-by-Step Procedure for IS 16720:2018 BIS Approval

The BIS certification process ensures that Pulverized Fuel Ash-Cement Bricks conform to IS 16720:2018 and meet the required standards of strength, dimensional accuracy and overall quality for use in construction. The steps for the certification process are mentioned below:

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 moisture content, fibre level, purity, nutritional composition and absence of contaminants.
Application Submission: The application is submitted along with test reports, technical documents, and factory details. Foreign manufacturers must also submit AIR-related documents.
Factory Inspection: Officials from the BIS come to the manufacturing unit to evaluate production processes, safety measures, and the quality control system.
Grant of BIS License: Once all compliance procedures have been satisfactorily met, the certification license is granted by BIS under Scheme I.
Use of ISI Mark: Following approval, the manufacturer is authorized to use the ISI Mark on the product along with a valid CM/L number, confirming that the product meets BIS standards.

Documents Required for IS 16720:2018 Compliance

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.

Certification Mark Requirements for IS 16720:2018

After obtaining BIS certification under IS 16720:2018, the manufacturer must ensure that the ISI Standard Mark is clearly and permanently displayed on each brick batch or its packaging. The marking must appear throughout handling, storage and transportation. Additional details are provided below:

Requirement	Details
ISI Mark	Indicates that the product is BIS certified and conforms to standards
Standard Number	IS 16720:2018
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 Approval for Cement Pulverized Fuel Ash Brick Manufacturers

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

Fee Structure for IS 16720:2018 BIS Certification

The total BIS Certification Cost for Pulverized Fuel Ash-Cement Bricks (IS 16720:2018) comprises Application Charges, Testing Fee, Inspection Charge, License Fee and Marking Fees according to Scheme I of BIS.

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

Quality Assurance is still an important concern in the construction industry. Certification of BIS Pulverized Fuel Ash-Cement Bricks (IS 16720:2018) would ensure that the materials meet the set standards on strength, size, moisture content, and other indicators of their quality. Certifying their products will provide businesses with a basis for proving the credibility of their products through meeting these standards.

Certification can be achieved through correct documentation, product testing, and following factory quality control guidelines. EVTL India facilitates the process of certification for various firms by providing help in regulatory documentation, testing processes, applications management, and other such activities.