Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Consulting

The BIS Act, 1986 came into effect on 23rd December 1986. As per the provisions of the BIS Act, the Bureau of Indian Standards was established as the National Standards Body of India, under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.
The main functions of the Bureau of Indian Standards are as following:

•    Introduction of technical Formulations for goods and services
•    Implementation of System Certification Scheme
•    Implementation of Product Certification Scheme
•    Monitoring the Compulsory Registration Scheme
•    Implementation of Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme
•    Execution of Hall Marking Scheme
•    Implementation of Laboratory Recognition Scheme
•    Regulating the sale of Indian Standards
•    To allot resources and implementation of Consumer Affairs Activities
•    To allot resources and implementation of Promotional Activities
•    To undertake Training Services for various stakeholders
•    To develop and implement National & International level Information Services

BIS Registration is a crucial quality and safety certification process in India.BIS Registration (CRS) is the official green light from the Indian government, through the Bureau of Indian Standards, that a mandatory-listed electronic product has been tested and complies with the necessary safety and quality standards for the Indian consumer market. For products under mandatory certification schemes, obtaining the BIS registration is a legal requirement to manufacture, sell, distribute, or import them into India. It helps enforce uniform national standards across various industries. An online application is submitted to BIS, along with the test reports and required technical/legal documentation.

The documents required for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) registration:
•    Manufacturing process flow chart, factory layout list of machinery and    testing equipment and quality control plan or procedures.
•    List of machinery & equipment
•    List of testing equipment (In-house or external laboratory
•    Internal quality checks
•    Calibration certificates for testing equipment
•    Control procedures for raw materials & finished goods
•    Trademark or brand registration (if applying in a brand name) and brand authorization letter where the brand owner and manufacturer differ.
•    Details of the manufacturing unit including full address ownership details and contact information.
 

The applicant is required to apply online for the BIS Registration of a product. The product submitted are tested on the specifications in a BIS Laboratory for the performance, quality and other parameters set by the BIS. After the lab results are received and the product is found compliant on all the parameters, the BIS Registration for that product is issued. 

The expenses for the BIS Registration of a product include the Government fee, Laboratory fee and the Consultant charges, if hired. The Government fee depends on the type of product and may range from Rs.40,000 to up to Rs.1,00,000. The Laboratory Testing charges also range in the same amount. A consultant hired for the BIS Registration may quote anything between Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000. 

Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are Government notifications issued under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, making compliance with specific. Violation of a QCO is punishable under the BIS Act, 2016, and can result in significant penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and the banning/recall of products from the market. Quality Control Order (QCO) is the regulatory trigger that makes BIS Registration (or ISI Certification) a necessary precondition for doing business in India for the specified product. QCOs make BIS certification mandatory for specific products to ensure quality, safety, and consumer protection.
 

The primary purpose of issuing a Quality Control Order (QCO) for BIS registration is to make compliance with the relevant Indian Standard(s) mandatory for specific products .They apply equally to domestic and foreign manufacturers, blocking non-compliant products from the market after the enforcement data. Some products (steel, electronics, and chemicals) are critical for infrastructure and safety. Manufacturers or importers must obtain a BIS license or Certificate of Conformity before market access, with violations punishable by fines or imprisonment. Foreign entities use the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme, involving testing, audits, and labeling requirements.
 

The benefits of BIS Registration (or certification) are substantial, impacting consumers, manufacturers, the national economy, and even international trade.
Benefits of BIS Registration
•    Reduces risk of electric shock, fire, radiation, overheating, and chemical hazards.
•    Certified products gain better access to domatic and international markets as BIS standards align with global norms.
•    BIS-certified product stands out from non-certified competitors. It provides a distinct competitive edge, often leading to higher market acceptability and increased sales.
•    BIS registration supports “Make in India” and eliminates low-quality imports by promoting standardization.
 

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) operates several types of schemes for product certification, catering to different product categories, manufacturer locations, and the level of mandatory compliance.

The main types of BIS registration/certification schemes:

1.  CRS – Compulsory Registration Scheme

Under the Electronics & IT Goods Order, certain products must be registered with BIS and marked with CRS.
Applicable to electronics like:
•    Mobile phones
•    Laptops
•    Power adapters
•    LED lights
•    Smart watches

2.  Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)

•    This scheme enables foreign manufacturers to obtain and use the ISI Mark on products exported to India.
•    Compliance: Mandatory if the product is covered by an Indian QCO.

3.  Hallmarking Scheme

This is a certification scheme specifically for precious metals to certify their purity.
•    Applicability: Mandatory for Gold Jewellery and Silver Jewellery/Artifacts to certify the purity/fineness of the metal.
•    Procedure: Involves testing of articles at a BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC).