BIS Certification for School Bags IS 10228

BIS Certification for School Bags implies that the products meet the Indian quality, safety, and performance standards as specified in IS 10228. This certification ensures that school bags have met criteria associated with materials quality, ergonomic design, load bearing capacity, and strength of stitching as well as safety of accessories and durability in general.

What does ISI Mark Certification mean?

In the case of school bags the standard considered is the Indian Standard IS 10228, which is the mandatory standard of the school bags in terms of quality, safety, performance, and ergonomic appropriateness to school bags of children.

School bags that are in compliance with IS 10228 are also in compliance in the dimensions of fabric strength, seam strength, strapping durability, weight capacity, reflective elements, and safety features. Manufacturers satisfying these standards are allowed to use the ISI Mark that guarantees parents, schools, retailers, and regulators that the school bags are safe, standardized, and reliable. 

Key advantages of BIS mark on products

BIS Certification has a number of advantages for school bags that include:

1. Improved Quality of the Products : IS 10228 compliance guarantees high-quality materials, safe design, and long-term performance.
2. Regulatory Compliance : BIS certification is obligatory for manufacturing, importing or selling school bags in India.
3. Market Trust & Acceptance : Schools, parents, and institutions are in support of ISI-marked school bags because they are safe.
4. Competitive Advantage : ISI-marked school bags are popular in bulk purchases, institutional purchases, and government purchases.
5. Standardized Testing :  Confirms a consistent performance in the strength, weight distribution, safety and ergonomics. 

Key specifications of IS 10228

The IS 10228 outlines technical and quality specifications of school bags which include:

• Fabric strength and material specifications.
• Stitching, seam, and strap rating.
• Weight limits and carrying capacity.
• Hygienic and ergonomic requirements.
• Accessories and safety strips.
• Techniques of performance testing.
• Labeling, packaging, and instructions to the user. 

IS 10228 will require compliance in order to be granted BIS Registration and the ISI Mark on school bags. Certified products in this standard guarantee consumers and regulatory organizations that the school bags are safe and fit to be used by the students.

Checklist of documents required for BIS Registration 

The following documents are necessary for Domestic Manufacturers:

1. List of raw material
2. Layout plan of the factory premises
3. List of testing equipment as per the Indian standard
4. Quality Control (QC) Personnel Details (Education degree and Aadhaar card)
5. GST
6. Authorized Person Aadhar & Pan Card
7. MSME
8. Electricity Bill
9. Email Address & Permanent Contact Number
10. Office Address
11. Factory Address
12. Copy of Partnership Deed / MOA (for Private Limited Co.)
13. Premises document / Rent Agreement
14. List of Manufacturing Machinery  

The following documents are necessary for Foreign Manufacturers:

1. Checklist for Application
2. Copy of Swift Remittance
3. Duly Filled Application Form
4. Copy of Business License
5. List of Machinery
6. List of Raw Material
7. Test certificate of Raw Material
8. List of Testing Equipment
9. Calibration certificate of Test Equipment
10. Process Flowchart
11. Layout Plan
12. Location Plan (Route Map)
13. Details of Technical Personnel
14. Qualification of QC
15. Copy of Certification of Product and/ System
16. Factory Test Report  
17. Agreement with AIR
18. Aadhar Card of AIR
19. AIR Nomination Form
20. Educational Degree of AIR
21. Undertakings
22. Scope of License

Step by step process for BIS approval 

There are two key procedures to get your BIS license: Simplified and Normal.

Simplified Procedure

The steps involved in the simplified procedure are:

1. Document Collection : All the necessary KYC and technical documents are collected in order to start the BIS application without problems.
2. BIS Portal Registration : The license application is processed by the manufacturer being registered on the official portal of BIS.
3. Pre-Testing of Samples : Before submission, product samples are tested in a BIS authorized laboratory.
4. In-House Lab Requirement : Depending on the product, an internal laboratory facility might be necessary according to the BIS requirements.
5. BIS Review & Clarifications : BIS examines the submissions of documents and test reports and may request clarification.
6. BIS Audit at Factory : The audit of the product samples carried out by the BIS inspectors is done at the factory    . 
7. Timely Audit Completion : The audit, inspection and sample collection are conducted within 17 days of the application submission along with the EVTL India engineer.
8. EVTL India Engineer- Factory Inspection : The BIS auditor and an engineer at EVTL India undertake a proper inspection at the factory.
9. Independent Collection of Samples : The BIS auditor draws samples to be tested by the post-audit.
10. Sample Testing at BIS Lab : BIS sealed samples are sent to BIS laboratories, and the BIS department pays the price of testing.
11. Grant of BIS License : Upon satisfactory document inspection, testing and audit, ISI license is issued. 

Normal Procedure

The steps involved in the normal procedure are:

1. Submit Documents : Firstly, it is required to submit all the KYC and technical documentation to start the BIS application.
2.  Plan In-House Laboratory and Technical Proposal : Prepare an internal lab in case necessary and prepare all technical documentation.
3. Ready Factory Test Report (FTR) : Carry out in-house tests and document the FTR to demonstrate that the product is to the standards.
4. Submit Application & Fees : Includes your BIS application and the amount of fees necessary by the government.
5. BIS Audit : An audit of documents and processes at a BIS takes place within 3 weeks.
6. EVTL India Engineer Factory Inspection : BIS auditor inspects the factory with an EVTL India engineer to make sure that everything is in order. 
7. Sample Collection & Sealing : The BIS auditor picks samples randomly, puts them into a sealed sample and forward the sample to a BIS authorized lab to be tested.
8. License Approval : After the lab tests of the sample are passed-on, BIS issues the ISI license, and your product is certified and market-ready. 

Estimated Timeline for BIS Licensing process

According to IS 10228, a BIS license for School Bags is expected to take:

For Simplified Procedure (Indian manufacturers)

Average 40-45 days

For Normal procedure  

• For Indian Manufacturers : 50-60 days
• For International Manufacturers : Approximately 180 days  

How can EVTL India contribute to the BIS Certification?

EVTL India offers the end-to-end support of BIS Registration for school bags according to the provision of IS 10228. EVTL India being a reliable BIS and ISI consultant for school bags handles documentation, laboratory coordination, application submission as well as compliance on the BIS portal.

EVTL India also trains manufacturers on the BIS audits and factory inspections. EVTL India is the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to foreign manufacturers, which facilitates easy arrangements with BIS authorities. The selection of EVTL India as a partner guarantees a quick, open, and pain-free process of BIS certification.

Conclusion

In order to achieve the safety, quality assurance, and acceptance in the Indian market, the manufacturers of the school bag are required to meet the requirements of IS 10228 and be certified by BIS. BIS registration does not only improve the credibility of a product but also allows any manufacturer to be a part of a controlled and government-supported project.

Under the special assistance of EVTL India, manufacturers will be able to gain approval of BIS in an efficient way, enhance their presence in the market, and supply certified school bags comfortably throughout India. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are school bags to be BIS Registered?

Yes, BIS Registration under IS 10228 is obligatory for the school bags in India. 

2. Who is qualified to make an application for BIS Registration?

Nomination of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) is required of foreign manufacturers, as well as Indian manufacturers.

3. Is BIS Registration inclusive of marking and packaging?

Yes, marking, packaging, and operating instruction are a requirement of school bag specified in IS 10228.

4. Which tests are done according to IS 10228?

The tests are vibration performance, mechanical strength, durability, safety, and compliance in marking. 

5. Is it possible for foreign manufacturer to receive BIS Certification?

Yes, foreign manufacturers are allowed to apply with the appointment of AIR in India.