BIS Certification: Process, Types and Validity

In India, it is necessary for product manufacturers to obtain BIS certification to establish credibility and trust in their products. If you manufacture products in categories like home appliances, HVAC systems, cells and batteries, electronics or IT devices, you are required to obtain BIS certification. This not only helps showcase the high quality and performance of your product. But it also protects you from legal consequences. Let’s understand what BIS certification is, its process, types, and validity.

What is BIS Certification?

BIS certification is a quality and safety certification awarded by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It indicates that your product is tested and meets India’s quality and safety rules. Getting BIS certification means that you have the legal right to sell your products in the market with confidence. 

BIS certification is mandatory for most products to ensure the safety of the users. For example, if you want to sell refrigerators in the market, you need to obtain BIS certification to prove that your product is safe for everyone. It has no defects or problems as electric shock.

What is the Process of BIS Certification?

Some of the product manufacturers are confused about applying for BIS certification. Especially novice professionals can feel more complexity. For them, we simply explain every step in simple and layman’s terms. If you are a product manufacturer and want to know how to apply for BIS certification, we are here to help you understand the process of BIS certification in four steps.

1) Application Submission

The first step that manufacturers need to follow is filling out the BIS certification form and then submitting it with the required documents. You need to apply through the official BIS website, https://www.bis.gov.in. That is the main platform for submitting your certification application. You must have documents such as product details, test reports, and company information. Completing this step will help BIS understand the type of product and its purpose before BIS Testing and inspection begin.

2) Product Testing

If everything is fine in step one, now the BIS asks you to test your product at any BIS test Lab in Delhi/ NCR. In India, there are many labs that test and evaluate products to check the quality, performance, and safety. Connecting with a reliable BIS accredited lab helps you confirm whether the product meets all BIS requirements for consumer use and safety approval. 

3) Factory Inspection

After the above step, the BIS officers visit the manufacturing unit to verify the product processes, raw materials, and quality control systems. They ensure that the products are consistently being manufactured by following BIS standards. 

4) Grant of License

After successful BIS Testing, BIS issues the certification license. This allows manufacturers to use the BIS standard mark (ISI mark) on their products. This mark reassures customers that the product is safe and of high quality.

Types of BIS Certification 

There are many types of BIS certification in India. This is because of various products and industries. Sometimes, different products demand different product performance testing to ensure that the product meets Indian safety and quality standards based on their nature (domestic, foreign, electronic, or eco-friendly). With this approach, you can make the certification process organised, fair, and suitable. Here, we just talk about the three main types of BIS certification:

1) ISI Mark Scheme Registration for Domestic Manufacturers

ISI Mark Scheme for Domestic Manufacturers is a specific type of BIS certification. It is designed for manufacturers whose products require mandatory BIS certification. ISI mark scheme registration for domestic manufacturers usually takes about 4 to 6 months. It ensures that the product is reliable and meets Indian standards.

2) ECO Mark Scheme Registration

ECO Mark Scheme registration is important to demonstrate that a product is environmentally safe. If a product bears the ISI mark along with the ECO logo, it indicates that it meets product performance testing, safety testing, and Energy Efficiency testing.

3) Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)

Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) is mainly for electronic and IT products. Under this specific BIS process, manufacturers must register with BIS before selling or importing their products into India. This scheme prevents the sale of unsafe products in the market and ensures that every manufacturer sells reliable and premium quality products.

Validity of BIS Certification

If you successfully obtain BIS certification, that means you can confidently sell your product in the market. However, it is important to remember that your BIS certification is valid for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years. And after that period, you'll need to connect to a BIS testing lab in India. You need to apply for renewal with the required documents. Renewal ensures that the product continues to meet Indian safety and quality standards.

Bottom Line

Today, BIS certification is indeed a very essential document that provides you with legal support as well. This certification means that your product is made with rigorous testing methods by a respected Testing Lab in India. Different tests like environmental, mechanical, and electromagnetic testing are done on products to check their quality and safety during the BIS certification process. All this shows that your product conforms to the quality, safety and functional standards as mentioned by the BIS authorities.