India Conformity (BIS) Certification

BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) is India's national standards and certification body. There are two main regimes: the ISI mark scheme (product certification for both domestic and imported products, including a factory audit) and CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme), the mandatory registration scheme for electronic products. CRS has no factory audit; testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory in India and registering the product are the essentials.

• Manufacturers exporting electronic and IT products to India
• Manufacturers of steel, cement and construction materials
• Manufacturers of household appliances and lighting products
• Firms selling through an India-based representative

Mandatory for products on the scope lists; import and sale are not possible without registration or a licence. Foreign manufacturers must appoint an India-based Authorised Indian Representative (AIR). Testing must be carried out at BIS-recognised laboratories in India; reports from abroad are not accepted.

• Determining whether the product is on the CRS list or under the ISI scheme
• Determining the applicable Indian standard (IS standards)
• Testing at a BIS-recognised laboratory in India
• Factory audit and assessment of production control under the ISI scheme
• Appointing an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR)
• Obtaining the BIS registration/licence number
• Showing the standard mark and registration number on the product
• Renewal and market-surveillance sample testing

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• PSEJapan Electrical Conformity
• KCKorea Conformity
• CCCChina Compulsory Certification
• BSMITaiwan Conformity
• RCMAustralia/New Zealand
• CEEU Product Conformity
• UKCAUnited Kingdom Conformity
• ENECElectrical Product Safety