BIS Certification for Wrought Aluminium Alloy Tubes IS 738

Wrought aluminium alloy drawn tubes are often picked for general engineering work, mainly because they show good corrosion resistance, and also because they’re quite versatile. People use these tubes not just in one place but in structural frameworks, in heat exchangers, for automotive components and in several other industrial engineering systems. The alloy tubes have become a preferred choice because they can take mechanical stress without giving up much and still hold their dimensional stability properly

To keep quality steady, these products must follow the standards that are mentioned in IS 738:1994, as issued by BIS. The standard specifies requirements related to chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances and surface finish. Manufacturers of wrought aluminium alloy drawn tubes must obtain BIS certification to sell their product in the Indian market.

What is IS 738:1994

This is the Indian Standard for wrought aluminium alloys drawn tubes used in engineering, automotive, refrigeration and structural applications. It defines the chemical composition, mechanical properties and quality requirements to ensure reliable performance in industrial use. As per BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), these aluminium alloy tubes are:

Checked for chemical composition
Assessed for tensile strength
Evaluated for dimensional accuracy
Tested for surface finish Who requires

BIS Certification for Wrought Aluminium Alloy Tubes

BIS authorisation under IS 738:1994 is required for businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, or supplying Wrought Aluminium Alloy Tubes in India.

Applicable to:

Manufacturers (India) - Must get BIS approval if the products are covered under QCO.
Foreign Manufacturers - Need certification to export the Engineering Grade Aluminium Tubes to India.
Importers/Brand Owners - Must ensure that the products are BIS-certified before sale.
Sellers/Distributors - Should only sell certified Aluminium Alloy Tube.

Testing and Inspection Requirements

To maintain consistent performance of aluminium alloy drawn tubes used in engineering, automotive, and refrigeration applications, the Bureau of Indian Standards specifies strict quality requirements under IS 738:1994. This certification ensures manufacturers produce tubes with the required mechanical strength, accurate dimensions, and reliable material properties for industrial usage. The BIS testing parameters and quality checks for the wrought aluminium alloy drawn tubes are listed below:

Test Group	What is Tested	Purpose
Dimensional Measurement Test	Outer diameter, wall thickness, length, straightness	Ensures compliance with IS 738 dimensional tolerances
Chemical Composition Test	Aluminium alloy elements and impurity levels (Al, Cu, Mg, Si, Fe, etc.)	Ensures correct alloy grade and material purity
Tensile Strength Test	Yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation	Ensures mechanical strength and load-bearing capability
Flattening Test	Tube deformation under compressive force	Ensures ductility and structural integrity under stress
Surface Quality & Finish Inspection	Surface smoothness, oxidation, coating consistency	Ensures proper finish and corrosion-free surface condition
Alloy & Temper Verification	Alloy designation (19000/19500 etc.) and temper condition (M, F, O, H)	Ensures correct classification and usage suitability
Hydrostatic/Pressure Resistance Check	Internal pressure tolerance (where applicable)	Ensures safe performance in engineering applications
Grouping Compliance Check	Alloy grouping based on tensile property classification	Ensures proper licence grouping and coverage control

BIS Certification Process for IS 738:1994

The BIS Authorisation process ensures that the Wrought Aluminium Alloys and Drawn Tubes meet the required safety standards. 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 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 738:1994 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.

BIS Marking Requirements for IS 738:1994

After the manufacturer obtains a BIS license, the ISI Mark for Wrought Aluminium Alloys and Drawn Tubes must be written clearly and permanently either on its packaging or on the product. Additional details are provided below:

Requirement	Details
ISI Mark	Indicates that the product is BIS certified and conforms to standards
Standard Number	IS 738:1994
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.

Validity and Renewal of BIS Licence

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

BIS Certification Fee Structure for IS 738:1994

The BIS Certification costs for Wrought Aluminium Alloys and Drawn Tubes include application fees, factory inspections, licence grants, product testing and marking fees. 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

The BIS Certification for Wrought Aluminium Alloys, Drawn Tubes for General Engineering Purposes according to IS 738:1994 provides a very strict standard in terms of regulation on Aluminium alloy tube efficiency. The certification ensures that the tubes comply with specified standards relating to chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances, and surface finish.

The process of certification adds significant value for manufacturers and importers in terms of reputation and legal compliance within the Indian market. EVTL India helps you deal with all BIS certification regulations with professional compliance management services.