BIS Scheme-X Certification

Machinery and Electrical Equipment — covered under the Omnibus Technical Regulation

Omnibus Technical Regulation (OTR): BIS Certification for Machinery and Electrical Equipment

On 28 August 2024, the Omnibus Technical Regulation (OTR) order came into effect. This order is for Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety. This order will apply to all types of machines and electrical equipment. This ensures the safety and conformity under the BIS Scheme X Certification. Except such machinery and components already within the jurisdiction and scope of some other order/s being made by the Bureau under the powers vested under Section 16 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

Improving Product Quality Across Various Environments, Reducing the risk of safety, and Precluding Accidents. All the certifications were mandatorily acquired before sale/distribution by the manufacturer or, in case of import, by the importer, through laboratory testing in BIS-approved laboratories and review of documents (usually under Scheme I or Scheme X) before depositing any products in the Indian market.

To protect consumers' safety, increase productivity in industries, and ensure government enforcement of its quality control through the Quality Control Orders (QCOs), certification is needed under the Omnibus framework.

Procedure for Obtaining BIS Scheme X Certification 

Below, you can go through the Scheme X Certification for foreign and domestic manufacturers under BIS. Let’s go through the detailed process:

BIS Scheme X Certification for Domestic Manufacturers

The following will occur for the Domestic Manufacturers listed below:

• Documentation Process
• Submission of Application along with Application Fee
• Recording of Application by BIS
• Scrutiny of the Application and reply to any questions raised by BIS
• Appointment of Auditor & Payment to BIS (Audit fee)
• Factory Inspection and Sample Dispatch for Testing at OSL (if applicable)
• Sample testing in the BIS accepted lab & Payment to Laboratory for Testing (Subcontracted facilities can be different.) (if applicable)
• Payment to BIS (Licence fee and marking fee) (if applicable)
• Grant of License

BIS Scheme X Certification for Foreign Manufacturers

The steps below will be executed for the Foreign Manufacturers listed below:

• Documentation Process
• Submission of Application with Application Fee
• Application recording by BIS
• Scrutiny of the Application and reply to any questions raised by BIS
• Nomination of Auditor & Payment to BIS (Audit charges)
• Audit preparation (inclusive of arrangements for Visa, Air tickets, Hotel Booking)
• Factory Audit and Sample dispatch for Testing at OSL (if applicable)
• Sample testing in BIS BIS-approved lab & Payment to Lab for Testing (Subcontracted facilities may differ.) (if applicable)
• Payment to BIS (Marking fee and licence fee) (if applicable)
• Grant of License
• Submission of PBG, agreement, and bond.

Renewal & Validity of Certificate Under BIS Scheme X

The BIS Scheme X certificate is issued for a period of from three to six years. It must be clearly understood that the certificate of conformity is valid for a particular product prototype, lot, or batch, and does not permit continued manufacture of such products without due permission.

For renewal of the BIS license, the licensee should make application not less than two months before the date of expiry on Form-VII of this Scheme. The application shall be examined by the Board, and the renewal shall be issued in Form VIII as per Regulation 8 of the said Regulations. Following the Scheme-X Certification procedure will help keep your product conforming and approved.

BIS Certification Scheme X Fee Structure

Below, you can go through the fee structure of the BIS Scheme X Certification:

Notes: Except ERCS service fees, BIS Application fee, and those collected on BIS actuals fees as mentioned above, the following concessions shall be applicable in case of Indian Manufacturers:
1. For micro, small, and medium scale enterprises, concession of 20% (General)
2. Till 31 May 2026, an enhanced concession for a micro-scale enterprise of 80% in the fee payable by the large-scale enterprises shall be applicable
3. Till 31 May 2026, an enhanced concession for a small-scale enterprise of 50% in the fee payable by the large-scale enterprises shall be applicable
4. Till 31 May 2026, an enhanced concession for a start-up enterprise of 80% in the fee payable by the large-scale enterprises shall be applicable
5. Till 31 May 2026, an enhanced and additional concession for a women entrepreneur enterprise of 10% in the fee payable by the applicable scale of enterprises, i.e., either micro or small, or medium scale, shall be applicable
6. For north-eastern areas as defined in the North-Eastern Council Act, 1971 (84 of 1971), an additional concession of 10%, irrespective of the scale of the enterprises.

For Foreign Manufacturers following additional fees are also applicable:

1. Travel Cost (Air ticket / VISA/ Hotel)
2. Per-diem charges of the officer for a total of 4 days (3 inspection days + 1 extra day)
3. Contingency funds: INR 10,000 per license
4. Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of US Dollars ten thousand issued by any bank having a Reserve Bank of India-approved branch in India

Note: All payments are to be made in equivalent USD by applicants/ licensees for foreign manufacturers

Quality Control Order, Penalties & Deadline to Act

The regulation is underpinned by a QCO requiring safety standards to be met by all products. If such criteria are not met, sanctions, bans from the markets, or even product recalls may be implemented. Hence, it is best to start the certification process early. For switch gear/ control gear products mandate will be from the date as mentioned in their respective QCOs.

August 28, 2025, marks the compliance deadline for the regulation of OTR products. If you jump at it and apply for certification early on, it will render the product market-ready without interruptions.

Required Documents for BIS Scheme X Certification

To apply for the BIS certificate for the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Scheme X, manufacturers must apply for registration and furnish the following information:

• Name and Address (Factory & Office): Registered name of the manufacturer and full address of the factory and office. Ensure that it is correct and consistent.
• PAN, GST Details: Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Goods and Services Tax registration. These are essential for verification in case of an Indian manufacturer.
• Contact Information: Phone numbers of the company's office, e-mail address, and mobile phone numbers. These numbers must be active and should be checked frequently.
• Management and Authorized Person: Names and titles of key management persons and an authorized signatory to act for the company in the certification process.
• Details of equipment and electrical plants to be registered: Details of equipment according to the First Schedule of the OTR. The actual requirements may be seen in the official document of the OTR.
• Name/Type and Variety of Products: Specific name, type, and variety of products for which the BIS certification is applied for, according to the applicable Indian Standards.

Eligibility Criteria Under BIS Scheme X Certification

To keep Scheme X certified, the applicants shall fulfil several important criteria:

• Eligible Entities: Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers engaged in the manufacture, import, sale, or distribution of products under the Company's specification standards can apply for the Scheme X certification.
• Specific Industries: Eligibility for Scheme-X certification differs depending on the specific product or industry.
• Manufacturers: Indian and foreign manufacturers can apply for Scheme X certification. Foreign manufacturers must nominate an Authorized Indian representative (AIR) in the country.
• Factory Production and Quality Control: To obtain Scheme X certification, manufacturers should prove that their products comply with the relevant Indian Standards, with sufficient capabilities to perform factory production, process controls, and quality control/testing.
• Technical File: Should be annexed to the application: the technical file, a complete repository of data, including product description, compliance reports, design, drawings, conclusions, all embracing quality assurance.
• Surveillance: BIS may conduct random surveillance inspections to check for continued compliance with the prescribed standards during the validity period of the license.

Why Should You Choose ERCS for BIS Scheme X Certification?

The BIS Scheme X Certification is an essential step for businesses to market and flourish in India, especially for products under compulsory compliance. The choice of certification partner may truly matter. ERCS possesses deep domain expertise of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulatory framework, particularly under Scheme X, which deals with a certain category of compulsory registration.

ERCS consultants are kept abreast with the ever-evolving regulations so that the client is well guided through compliance requirements. From documentation and product testing to filling applications and following up with BIS officials, ERCS provides an end-to-end solution for you. With ERCS, there is no need to juggle between different agencies.

Having successfully certified for all kinds of industries- electronics, IT, automotive, to name a few- ERCS commands an unparalleled reputation for securing timely and hassle-free BIS certifications.