The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India, established under the BIS Act, 2016, and operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. BIS plays a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of Indian Standards, ensuring that goods and services meet stringent quality, safety, and reliability criteria. Through its comprehensive standardization, marking, and certification processes, BIS not only guarantees the delivery of safe and reliable products to consumers but also minimizes health hazards, promotes exports, and helps control the proliferation of substandard varieties.
A core function of BIS is the formulation of Indian Standards, which is carried out by 15 specialized division councils representing diverse economic and technological sectors.
These divisions cover fields such as Chemical, Medical Equipment and Hospital Planning, Civil Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Electrotechnical, Petroleum, Coal and Related Products, Electronics and Information Technology, Production and General Engineering, Food and Agriculture, Textile, Transport Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Water Resources. Through these structured initiatives, BIS contributes significantly to the traceability and overall robustness of the national economy while fostering a culture of quality and excellence in every face of industrial and consumer activities.
Who Needs BIS Certification.
BIS certification is essential for several stakeholders involved in the production and distribution of goods. It applies to:
- Manufacturers: Both Indian and foreign manufacturers producing items listed in the mandatory categories must obtain BIS certification to ensure their products adhere to Indian quality and safety standards.
- Importers: Goods imported into India that fall under mandatory BIS certification requirements must be certified to ensure compliance with local standards.
- Distributors and Retailers: Ensuring that the products they sell comply with BIS standards is critical for maintaining consumer trust and safety.
What is BIS Certification.
BIS certification is a quality assurance process that verifies whether products meet the established Indian standards. Key points include:
- Third-Party Verification: BIS certification is performed by an independent authority that evaluates a product’s quality, safety, and reliability.
- Mandatory vs. Voluntary: While obtaining BIS certification is voluntary for many products, it is mandatory for certain items as prescribed by state.
- BIS Standard: This refers to a set of requirements that products must full fill to be deemed compliant with Indian standards. Products that meet these criteria carry the BIS Standard Mark, signifying adherence to the standards set forth under the BIS Act, 2016.
BIS Certification Schemes
BIS offers a range of certification schemes to ensure that products in the Indian market meet stringent quality, safety, and environmental standards. These schemes are divided into mandatory and voluntary categories.
BIS certification schemes are broadly classified into two categories:
- Mandatory certification
- Voluntary certification
Mandatory Certification Schemes
- Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS):
FMCS allows international manufacturers to display the ISI mark on products that comply with Indian standards, this scheme excludes electronics and IT goods and ensures that only high-quality, safe products are imported into India.
- Domestic Manufacturer Certification Scheme (ISI):
This scheme licenses domestic manufacturers to use the ISI mark on products produced at their facilities. This certification confirms that the products fully comply with relevant Indian standards.
- Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS):
This scheme applies to electronics and IT products. Manufacturers must test their products in BIS-approved laboratories and register for a unique R-number. CRS aims to protect consumers by preventing the sale of non-compliant goods.
Products under CRS: https://www.crsbis.in/BIS/products-bis.do
- BIS Hallmarking Scheme:
This scheme certifies the purity of precious metal jewellery. Registration under this scheme is mandatory for jewelers, ensuring adherence to standards in line with ISO 15820:2009.
Voluntary Certification Scheme
- Eco Mark Scheme:
The Eco Mark Scheme certifies environmentally friendly products across various categories, including soaps, detergents, paints, food items, and more.
BIS Certification for Exports to India
BIS offers three principal certification types for products destined for the Indian market:
- BIS Certification (ISI) – Factory Inspection (Scheme I): It enables foreign manufacturers to display the ISI mark, which serves as an assurance of compliance with relevant Indian standards.
- BIS Registration (CRS) – Without Factory Inspection (Scheme II): Specific product categories, particularly in the IT, electronics, and lighting sectors, this scheme does not require a factory inspection. Instead, it relies on testing products in BIS-recognized laboratories and subsequent registration.
- BIS Certification with Factory Inspection (Scheme X): Recently introduced for products related to low-voltage switchgear and control gear, Scheme X represents a reclassification of certain product groups that were previously certified under the ISI certification.
Product under Scheme X : https://www.bis.gov.in/products-under-compulsory-certification-scheme-x/
Application Process for BIS Certification in India
The application process varies according to the product and the applicable certification scheme—be it ISI Mark, the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), or the Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS). The general steps are as follows:
- Identifying the Appropriate Certification Scheme: Assess whether the product falls under mandatory or voluntary certification and verify compliance with relevant BIS standards.
- Application Submission: For domestic products under the ISI Mark scheme, an online application is required, including details of the product and manufacturing facility, along with supporting documents such as factory licenses and quality control procedures. For electronic and IT products under CRS, the application involves submission of a product test report from a BIS-recognized laboratory. Foreign manufacturers must submit product and factory details and appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) before undergoing the requisite inspection and testing.
- Documentation and Fees: The process necessitates submission of detailed business registration documents, factory information, quality control measures, and test reports from BIS-approved laboratories. The fees varies from process to process and cover the application, inspection, testing, and annual certification processes.
- Documents Required for BIS Certification: Business registration proof; Factory license and manufacturing details; Product test report from a BIS-accredited lab; Quality control and assurance procedures; List of raw materials and suppliers and any other relevant documents as per Form’s requirements.
- Product Testing: The product undergoes laboratory testing in a BIS-approved lab.
- Inspection & Audit: A BIS officer inspects the manufacturing site to verify compliance.
- Grant of Certification: Upon successful evaluation, BIS issues a certification, allowing the use of the ISI mark.
- Post-Certification Requirements: Certified products must be appropriately marked with the ISI, CRS, or Hallmark, as applicable. Certificates must be renewed periodically, and manufacturers are required to undergo regular surveillance, including factory inspections and product testing. Any changes in the product or manufacturing process must be reported for re-evaluation to ensure continued compliance.
- Process duration: ISI: 30-90 days; CRS: 120-180 days (including testing) and FMCS: 90-120 days.
Product Certification:
The BIS Standard Mark is a trusted assurance that a product meets Indian Standard Specifications, thereby instilling consumer confidence in its quality, safety, and reliability.
Products under Compulsory Certification –
- Scheme – I (Mark Scheme)
- Scheme of Inspection and Testing made optional for micro and small scale manufacturers of consumer footwear and footwear components.
- Scheme – IV (Certificate Of Conformity )
- Scheme – II (Registration Scheme)
- Scheme – X (Certification)
- Upcoming QCOS – Notified And Due For Implementation
System Certification –
Management Systems Certification Scheme (MSCS)
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has operated its Management Systems Certification Scheme since 1991, initially launching with Quality Management System Certification (IS/ISO 9001) and subsequently expanding to cover additional management systems. Accreditation for Quality, Food Safety, and Environmental Management Systems is provided by NABCB and QCI.
BIS is the only organization in India administering a management systems certification scheme under an Act of Parliament. As the National Standards Body, BIS represents India in international forums such as ISO and IEC, actively contributing to committees like ISO/TC 176 and ISO/TC 207, and is prominently listed in the global directory of certification bodies.
Systems Under Certification
BIS certifies a comprehensive range of management systems, including but not limited to:
- Quality Management System: IS/ISO 9001
- Environmental Management System: IS/ISO 14001
- Food Safety Management System: IS/ISO 22000
- Energy Management System: IS/ISO 50001
- Occupational Health & Safety Management System: IS 18001 & IS/ISO 45001
- Service Quality Management System: IS 15700
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP): IS 15000
- Medical Device Management System: IS/ISO 13485
- Social Accountability at Workplace: IS/ISO 16001
- Road Traffic Safety Management System: IS/ISO 39001
- Adventure Tourism Safety Management System: IS/ISO 21101:2014
- Ready Mixed Concrete Certification Scheme: ISO 9001 with IS 4926
- Integrated Milk Certification Scheme for Packaged Pasteurized Milk: IS 13688 with ISO 22000
- Educational Organizations Management System (EOMS)
- Anti-Bribery Management System: IS/ISO 37001:2016
- Medical Devices – Quality Management System Requirements and Essential Safety & Performance Principles: IS 23485
- Information Security Management Systems: IS/ISO/IEC 27001:2013
- Food Safety Audits: (FSSAI Recognized)
- Piped Drinking Water Supply Management System: IS 17482:2020
- Conformity Assessment Scheme for Milk & Milk Products
- Conformity Assessment Scheme on IS 19000:2022: Online Consumer Reviews Principles and Requirements
Certification Process:
- Submission of application by the applicant.
- Scrutiny by the BIS
- BIS could ask for additional information.
- BIS will conduct the stage-I audit.
- Conducting of stage-I audit by the audit teams appointed by the BIS authority
- BIS will conduct the stage-II audit.
- BIS seek for corrective actions from the applicant if required.
- Upon satisfaction the audit team appointed by the BIS will issue the audit report.
- On the recommendation of the audit team the BIS will grant the certificate.
Contact our knowledgeable regulatory compliance team at compliance@khuranaandkhurana.com and corporate.law@khuranaandkhurana.com for expert help obtaining BIS certification for a smooth process!