Selling in India: the BIS certification

For many enterprises that wish to sell in India, obtaining Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification is a crucial step. This certificate is required for the importation of various product categories, as it certifies compliance with Indian quality and safety standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards, the national certification body under the Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.  

In our article, we will examine the nature of this certification and the process required to obtain it. 

BIS certification, what you need to know to sell in India certain products 

 BIS certification has two main categories, distinguished by whether or not to undergo a factory inspection:  

• BIS Registration (CRS): does not provide for factory inspection and was introduced in 2012 for 15 product categories, which were later expanded. Foreign products can also obtain BIS registration, according to regulations set by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY).  
• BIS Certification (ISI): provides for an inspection At the product production site (where production takes place at multiple locations, the plant where the last stage of production takes place is checked), and is issued by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD). This certification attests to compliance with the regulations established by the certification scheme for foreign manufacturers (FMCS).  

Each year, the list of products requiring certification grows with new product groups, making it impossible to definitively determine the exemption of a particular product. However, new mandatory standards usually come into effect at a date after they are published. This gives producers a window of opportunity to obtain certification on time. 

The products that need BIS certification 

For sell in India, è so fundamental to be up-to-date on the BIS catalog, since it's about an element that is constantly being updated

È Need to carefully check whether products intended for export to the country require certification BIS ISI (Scheme I) or registration BIS CRS (Scheme II). 

 This ensures compliance with current regulations in the Indian market. 

Product groups subject to these provisions include: 

 ISI certification: 

• Cables 
• Food 
• Safety glass 
• Electric motors 
• Electrical transformers 
• Chemicals 
• Automotive accessories 
• Steel 
• Toys 

 CRS registration: 

• Cameras 
• Photovoltaic systems 
• Low-voltage switchboards and control equipment 
• Power supplies 
• LED lights 
• Display/Monitor 

Once the product category has been identified, it is essential to follow the BIS registration procedure correctly. 

The BIS registration procedure 

 The BIS certification procedure includes a number of standard steps: 

1. Processing of documentation and submission of application at BIS. 
2. Factory inspection exclusively for ISI. 
3. Performing product testing at an accredited laboratory.
4. Certificate issuance. 
5.  Application of marking and labeling on the product. 

The process generally takes 2 to 3 months (without audit for BIS-CRS registration) or 4 to 6 months (with audit for BIS-ISI certification).  

The validity of the BIS certificate is two years, but additional testing may be required during this period, according to the prescribed testing standards.  

Any changes to the product or production process will require retesting to maintain the validity of the certificate. 

Changes that are affected include: 

• Changes to major components  
• Updates to major components 
• Redefinition of product design. 
• Review of product structure. 
• Substitution of raw material. 
• Change of raw material suppliers. 

Changes in BIS regulations may also make it necessary to revise the certification.  

Therefore, it is essential to maintain careful adherence to regulations and testing standards related to your product. 

The Role of the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) 

It is important to note that the procedure for BIS approval necessarily requires the involvement of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), appointed by the manufacturer. This figure, who must be a resident of the country, serves as the local point of contact for the Indian authorities and assumes responsibility for handling requests.  

Making sure to designate a competent AIR is an essential step to ensure proper interaction with authorities and efficient management of approval procedures.  

Common mistakes to avoid 

Some common errors that can occur during the certification process include: 

• Not meeting Indian standards, which may differ slightly from international standards. 
• Errors in application documents due to the complexity of BIS formal requirements. 
• Lack of stamp on application documents, which is a prerequisite. 
• Poor cooperation of the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR), which can cause delays in the certification process. 

The BIS brand 

Once the BIS certificate has been obtained, product marking can proceed. Until early 2022, two types of marks were in use: the BIS-CRS logo and the BIS-ISI logo. 

 The BIS-CRS logo was used to indicate BIS registration, while the BIS-ISI logo (also known as the BIS standard mark) was intended for BIS certification. 

 In addition to the logo, an identification number is assigned: CM/L BIS for BIS-ISI certification or an R number for BIS-CRS registration. This number, consisting of 7 or 8 digits, simplifies product identification at the manufacturing plant. 

 However, as of January 2022, BIS has decided to exclusively adopt the BIS-ISI logo. Although this change mainly affects appearance, information such as registration number, IS/IEC standard, and BIS website will remain the same.  

Help in obtaining BIS certification  

Octagona has established its reputation as a trusted partner for companies looking to expand their business beyond national borders. With its extensive experience, Octagona is able to offer a range of internationalization strategies dedicated to Italian companies. 

 Our team offers crucial support in the process of obtaining BIS certification, which is essential to sell in India certain products, in accordance with current regulations. In fact, Indian authorities do not directly notify economic actors of any regulatory updates, which are available only in English on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) website, which and can be complex to interpret. 

Armed with in-depth experience in the Indian market and detailed knowledge of local regulations, Octagona is ready to assist companies in every sector at all stages of the certification process.

 Our activities include simplifying technical requirements, managing the necessary paperwork, and assisting in interactions with Indian authorities.  

For more information, please feel free to contact us.