How Foreign Manufacturers Can Get BIS Certification In India

Every country has its own rules for making and selling products. In India, products must have the BIS mark, which is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Foreign manufacturers who want to sell their products in India need to get a BIS license. This license proves that their products are safe, reliable, and of good quality for the Indian market. In this guide, we will explain the complete process of getting BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers. You will learn about the different certification schemes, the documents required, the approval timeline, and how experts like ERCS Private Limited can make the process easier.

What is BIS Licensing for Foreign products in India?

BIS licensing is a certification process that applies to many foreign products that are sold in India. Foreign manufacturers must complete an application for a license under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). After the application is approved, manufacturers can apply the ISI mark to their products. This demonstrates that the item is certified for the market in India. All products under the mandatory list must get certified under BIS.

How Foreign Manufacturers Can Get a License Under Different BIS Schemes

Foreign Manufacturers can get BIS Certification under the BIS Certification Scheme I, Scheme X, and BIS CRS Registration. Let’s go through the detailed steps to obtain BIS Certification in India:

BIS Certification (ISI Mark) Under (BIS Scheme-I)

To obtain the ISI Certification under the BIS Scheme-I, let’s go through the steps one by one:

• Identify the applicable Indian Standard (IS) for your product
• Gather all the required documents necessary for the certification of your product
• An Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) is nominated for Foreign Manufacturers
• BIS will verify the application and documents. If there is any query or missing information, then it must be checked within the given timeframe. 
• BIS officials will conduct an Audit of the manufacturing facility and production process.
• The collected samples are sent to BIS-recognized laboratories for independent testing.
  The manufacturer has to pay the license and marking fees if the inspection and test reports are successfully checked by BIS.
  After this, BIS successfully granted the certificate.

For Foreign Manufacturers, it typically takes 6 months or more, as per the requirement to obtain the ISI Mark Certification.

BIS (CRS) Registration for electronic and IT Products (Scheme-II)

Go through the steps under the BIS CRS Registration Scheme for obtaining Registration for foreign manufacturers: 

• Nominate an Authorized Indian Representative for a foreign manufacturer
• Apply online
• Get your samples tested by BIS-approved labs. Apply for the sample test report online
• BIS officials will verify your application
• You can take your license.

For Foreign Manufacturers, the BIS CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) typically takes 6 months from the date of completion of the application, whereas this timeline may vary according to the complexity of the product. 

BIS Scheme-X Certification for Low Voltage Switchgear & OTR Products

Below, you can go through the process for BIS Scheme-X Certification for a Foreign manufacturer: 

• Gather all the required documents for the submission to BIS
• Submit the Application with Application Fees
• Inspection of the application and questions, if required
• Nomination of the Auditor and Payment to BIS (Audit Charge)
• Now, BIS will conduct a Factory Audit and dispatch Samples for testing
• Payment to BIS (Marking fee and licence fee) (if applicable)
• Grant of License
• Submission of PBG, agreement, and bond.

Foreign manufacturers typically take around 9 to 12 months to obtain a BIS Scheme X license, though this timeframe can vary based on various factors.

Documents Required for BIS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers in India

Manufacturers are required to ensure that all documents are accurate, complete, and current. The following is a list of required documents for FMCS:

• Application Form: A duly filled application form for certification with BIS. 
• Test Reports: Test reports for the products taken from BIS-recognized laboratories, along with proof of compliance with IS.
• Certificate of Incorporation: Business registration or certificate of incorporation of the applicant/importer or manufacturer. 
• Import-Export Code: Photocopy of the IEC certificate issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, DGFT. 
• Product Description: Technical specifications and descriptions. 
• Authorised signatory: Letter of application, along with an authorization letter and ID. 
• FMCS Documents: In the case of foreign manufacturers, xerox copies of the documents relating to the FMCS License under which the Indian representative is nominated include a declaration of appointment. 

Any mismatch or incorrectly prepared documentation could lead to rejection or delay in obtaining BIS registration.

Conclusion

For foreign manufacturers, BIS Certification is not just a formality; it's now mandatory. The BIS License Compliance process can be quite intimidating at first glance - identify and understand Indian Standards, Product Testing, Document Reviews, Factory Audits - the list goes on. But having the right partner can make all the difference. ERCS Private Limited, as a BIS Certification Consultant in India, helps you from the initial steps of identifying to product certification.  Join us now to get more information.