What steps are involved in the BIS certification process?
The key steps involved in the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification process are:
Preparation and Submission of Application:
- Fill out the prescribed application form along with the necessary documentation.
- Use the official nomination form to designate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for your company.
- Submit the completed application, required fees, documentation, and AIR nomination form to the BIS headquarters.
Product Testing:
- The product undergoes testing at an accredited Indian laboratory to confirm it meets the required safety and quality standards set by the Indian government.
- Under the ISI Certification Scheme (Scheme 1), BIS auditors will choose the product samples for testing during their inspection of the manufacturing facility.
- For the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (Scheme 2 – CRS), the manufacturer must submit a test request to the desired lab and get the product tested.
Factory Audit (for Scheme 1 – ISI):
- BIS conducts a factory audit to assess the manufacturer’s infrastructure, production processes, quality controls, and testing capabilities.
- A successful factory audit is mandatory before the BIS license can be granted under Scheme 1.
Certification:
- BIS grants certification once the product successfully passes the required tests and the factory audit (if applicable) is successfully completed.
- For Scheme 1 (ISI), a license number is allocated upon successful completion of the factory audit.
- For Scheme 2 (CRS), a registration certificate is granted.
Marking and Labelling:
- Certified products must be marked and labelled with the appropriate BIS Standard Mark (ISI or CRS) as per the scheme.
Validity and Renewal:
- BIS certifications are valid for 1-2 years, depending on the scheme.
- Renewal of the certification requires submission of documents and payment of the prescribed fees, without the need for additional testing.
The specific steps may vary slightly depending on the product category and the applicable BIS certification scheme (Scheme 1 – ISI or Scheme 2 – CRS). BIS also has the authority to conduct random product audits and request updated test reports to ensure ongoing compliance.