How to get BIS Certification in India

BIS Certification is a means for providing third party guarantee of quality, safety and reliability of products to the customer. BIS Certification is voluntary in nature; however, the Government of India has made BIS certification mandatory for certain products taking into consideration public health. In this article, we look at the procedure for obtaining BIS Certification for a product in India.

Bureau of Indian Standards

BIS Certification is provided in India by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body has been successfully promoting and nurturing standards movement within the country since 1947. BIS came into existence in 1987 through an Act of Parliament. BIS involves various activities like standards formulation, certification of products, hallmarking, testing and calibration scheme and more.

BIS Product Certification Scheme

BIS Product Certification Scheme is one of the largest in the world, with over 26500 licensees covering more than 900 products. BIS Certification allows the licensees to use the popular ISI mark on their product, which is synonymous with quality products. As per Government notification, 90 products are mandatorily required to have BIS certification. BIS also operates Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme under which overseas manufacturers can be granted a licence to use the BIS Standard Mark. At present, over 350 licenses have been granted for over 50 Indian Standards in 40 different countries.

Types of BIS Certification Schemes

In India, the Government provides BIS Certification for products under different types of schemes as follows:

Normal Procedure for Domestic Manufacturers – The applicant is required to submit the BIS Certification application with required documents and requisite fee. After submitting the application, a preliminary factory evaluation is carried out by a BIS officer. Then samples are tested in the factory and also drawn for independent testing. BIS certification is provided if the sample is acceptable. In this method, BIS Certification is expected to be granted within 4 months of submission of application.

Simplified Procedure for Domestic Manufacturers – In the simplified procedure, the applicant submits a test report of the sample from a BIS approved lab along with the application for BIS Certification. If the test report is satisfactory, then a verification of the factory premises is carried out by a BIS Officer. BIS Certification is granted if the verification of the BIS Officer is satisfactory. Under this method, the license is expected to be granted within 30 days of submission of BIS Certification application with the required documents and test report.

Tatkal Scheme: Those manufacturers who need BIS standard mark mandatorily as per Government notification can obtain BIS license under the tatkal scheme. Under the tatkal scheme, the application is processed within strict timelines and the total time for processing is specified as 30 days. I addition, an application received under the Tatkal Scheme will be processed on a priority basis to adhere to the strict time norms.

ECO Mark Scheme - BIS License for eco-friendly products are granted in a scheme separate from the normal BIS Certification process. Eco-friendly products should conform to additional requirements specified in the Indian Standards to qualify for the ECO mark. The procedure for grant of licence is however similar to that of Domestic Manufacturer's scheme.

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme - Overseas applicants/foreign manufacturers are granted a licence for the use of ISI mark under separately designed scheme within 6 months period.

Products that Require Mandatory BIS License or BIS Certificate

Certain products are required to have BIS License or Certification mandatorily considering public health and safety. No one can manufacture or sell products without BIS Certification. The following are products that require mandatory BIS License or Certification.