Access to the Indian Market

The most decisive feature of the Indian regime is that tests must be conducted at laboratories recognized by BIS in India. Reports obtained abroad are not accepted. This means that sample shipping and laboratory queue time become the main items in the timeline.

• Testing is as a rule carried out in recognised laboratories within the country; acceptance of foreign reports is very limited.
• Although the national standard is based on an international standard it carries deviations; an international report that does not cover those deviations is not accepted.
• Under the registration arrangement there is as a rule no factory inspection; under classical certification there is, and it is planned separately for a foreign facility.
• Shipping the sample requires a separate customs and logistics process; this is the largest item in the timetable.
• The application is made through a party established in the country; a foreign manufacturer cannot be the applicant directly.

• There are two schemes: CRS (registration) for electronic products, ISI (licence) for other products
• There is no factory inspection under CRS; there is under the ISI scheme
• Tests must be conducted at BIS-recognized laboratories in India
• The applied standards are Indian standards (IS)
• Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)
• The registration/licence number is shown on the product

Foreign manufacturers are REQUIRED to appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) resident in India. The AIR represents the manufacturer before BIS, submits the application, and bears legal responsibility. The application process cannot begin without an AIR being appointed.

• BIS

1. 01Scope DeterminationIt is determined which legislation and marking scope the product falls under in the target market. This step defines the entire process; getting it wrong wastes all subsequent work.
2. 02Determining Applicable StandardsThe standards accepted by the market and any national deviations are identified. The same IEC standard may apply with different deviations in different markets.
3. 03Establishing the Test PlanIt is assessed which part of existing test reports will be accepted; missing tests are planned. A CB Scheme report, if available, reduces retesting.
4. 04Local Party and RegistrationIf the market requires an established representative, importer or applicant, this party is designated and the necessary registrations are made.
5. 05Tests and Technical FileTests are conducted and the technical file is prepared. Some markets require testing to be performed within their own country.
6. 06Certification or DeclarationDepending on the market's regime, a manufacturer's declaration is drawn up or a certificate is obtained from the authorised body; a factory audit is carried out if required.
7. 07Marking and LabellingThe mark and label are applied according to the market's format and language rules. The language requirement is checked at customs in most markets.
8. 08Shipment and CustomsIf a pre-shipment document is required, it is obtained; the document set to be presented at customs is completed.

• The BIS standard mark and registration/licence number appear on the product
• AIR information is shown on the product or packaging
• Hindi and English labelling expectations vary by product group
• BIS registration is checked at customs; unregistered products cannot be imported
• Follow-up testing may be carried out by taking samples during market surveillance

• Assuming CE or UL reports will be accepted — they are not accepted
• Not making the AIR appointment at the start of the process
• Not reflecting sample shipping and laboratory queue time in the timeline
• Confusing the CRS and ISI schemes
• Not including model variants within the registration scope