What Role Does BIS Certification Play in Exporting Products to India?
In the global marketplace, India stands out as a significant destination for exporting goods. With a burgeoning economy and a vast consumer base, the country presents ample opportunities for businesses seeking to expand their reach.
However, penetrating the Indian market requires adherence to stringent regulations, including the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certification.
This certification is a prerequisite for a wide range of products entering the Indian market, serving as a quality benchmark and a regulatory requirement.
In this blog post, we'll explore the pivotal role played by BIS Certification in facilitating exports to India.
What is Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Certification?
The Bureau of Indian Standards, established in 1986, is the national standards body of India, functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India.
The Indian Standards Institute (ISI), formerly the BIS's precursor, was responsible for the initial standardization efforts in India and is now merged into BIS. It formulates and certifies standards for various products and services to ensure their quality, safety, and reliability.
BIS Certification is a mandatory requirement for certain products exported to India. It provides a mark of conformity to Indian standards, an ISI mark, indicating that the product meets the specified quality and safety parameters.
ISI mark is a symbol of quality and adherence to Indian standards and was introduced to certify products meeting specified quality criteria. This mark assures consumers of product quality and safety.
BIS has established a certification scheme called the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) for foreign manufacturers exporting products to India, ensuring their compliance with Indian standards and regulations.
This scheme aims to facilitate the entry of foreign goods into the Indian market while upholding the country's quality and safety standards.
Note: Without BIS Certification, exporting certain goods into India is prohibited or subject to stringent regulations.
Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme has been in operation since the year 2000, governed by Scheme-I of Schedule-II, BIS Act, 2016, and the Conformity Assessment Regulations of 2018, all under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Standards.
This scheme is specifically designed for foreign manufacturers, allowing them to utilize the standard mark, commonly known as the ISI Mark, to export their products in India.
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) is the authorized body responsible for granting BIS certificates for imports to foreign manufacturers, ensuring that their products meet the required quality and safety standards.
The primary objective behind the issuance of BIS Manufacturing Certificates to foreign manufacturers is to guarantee that the public receives products of good quality, safety, reliability, and free from risks.
Under this scheme, overseas manufacturing units undergo factory audits to assess their compliance with the specified BIS requirements. It is mandatory for foreign applicants to designate an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).
Note: Obtaining a BIS certificate through the FMCS scheme is required for manufacturers to seamlessly export and sell their products in the Indian market, ensuring uninterrupted trade operations.
Purpose of Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme
The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme serves various crucial purposes aimed at facilitating international trade and ensuring consumer safety. Its main objectives include:
- Granting certification to foreign manufacturers located outside India.
- Authorizing the use of the ISI standard mark on products manufactured by foreign companies.
- Enabling foreign manufacturers to market and sell their products in the Indian market.
- Ensuring that products imported from foreign manufacturers meet the required quality and safety standards specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
Who can Apply for BIS Certification under FMCS?
Eligibility for BIS Certification under FMCS is reserved for manufacturers with their company locations outside India.
These foreign companies must adhere to the following criteria:
- Ensure conformity of their product(s) to applicable Indian Standards Specifications (ISS).
- Possess all manufacturing machinery and facilities at their factory premises.
- Have arrangements/equipment in their factory premises for testing the product(s) as per applicable ISS.
- Employ competent testing personnel in their laboratory to test the product(s) as per applicable Indian Standards.
- Accept the Scheme of Testing & Inspection (STI) and Marking Fee.
- Agree to the Terms & Conditions of the license.
To qualify for the FMCS license, the applicant must be a foreign manufacturer exporting regulated products to India and committed to upholding BIS safety and quality standards. If your company meets these specified criteria, you are eligible to apply for the FMCS license.
Why is BIS Certification Mandatory for Exporting Products to India?
BIS Certification is mandatory for exporting certain product categories into India due to several reasons, such as:
- Ensures compliance with Indian quality and safety standards, enhancing consumer protection.
- Facilitates market access by demonstrating adherence to regulatory requirements.
- Builds trust and credibility among Indian consumers, leading to increased sales and market share.
- Avoids potential legal and trade barriers associated with non-compliance.
- Supports India's objective of promoting quality and safety in imported goods, aligning with global best practices.
Prerequisites for BIS Certification
The prerequisites for obtaining BIS certificate encompass the following criteria:
- The manufacturing unit must be located outside of India.
- Ensure that your product(s) comply with the specified Indian Standards.
- Have all essential machinery and testing facilities at your factory premises.
- Maintain testing equipment and quality control personnel in your in-house laboratory for testing according to Indian Standards.
- Agree to the Scheme of Inspection & Testing (SIT) and fulfill the annual marking fee obligation.
- Accept the terms and conditions stipulated in the BIS License for FMCS.
- Submit separate applications for each product and factory location.
- Appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to facilitate the certification process on their behalf. AIR can only represent one foreign manufacturer at a time, and they must avoid any conflicts of interest, particularly regarding third-party laboratory testing of samples.
- The name of the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) must be clearly stated in the license documents.
List of Mandatory Products Under BIS Certification
The list of mandatory products requiring BIS Certification covers various categories, including:
- Ordinary Portland Cement - IS 269:2015
- Low Heat Portland Cement - IS 12600:1989
- Super Sulphated Cement - IS 6909:1990
- White Portland Cement - IS 8042:2015
- Stainless Steel Wires - IS 6528:1995
- Steel Chequered Plates - IS 3502:2009
- Heat Resisting Steels - IS 9516:1980
- Domestic Pressure Cooker - IS 2347:2017
- Electric Toys - IS 15644:2006
- PVC Sandal - IS 6721:2023
And many more.
Note: Adherence to these standards is essential for specific products to ensure their quality and safety in the Indian market.
What is the Procedure to Obtain BIS Certification?
The process of obtaining BIS certification involves several steps, including:
- Step 1: Submit an application for BIS certification along with the necessary documents and product samples.
- Step 2: The products undergo testing in BIS-approved laboratories to assess compliance with relevant Indian standards.
- Step 3: BIS authorities conduct a factory inspection to verify the manufacturing process and quality management systems.
- Step 4: Upon successful testing and inspection, BIS grants the certification, allowing the products to be legally exported to India.
What Documents are Essential for Acquiring BIS License?
Essential documents required for obtaining the BIS license include:
- Proof of name and address for office and manufacturing unit
- Trademark verification
- Evidence of business operations
- Letter of authorization
- Inventory of testing facilities and equipment
- Third-party laboratory test results compliant with Indian Standards
- Factory layout and location plan
- Manufacturing process flowchart
- Details of manufacturing machinery
- Appointment details for an Indian agent and relevant nomination form
Conclusion
In conclusion, BIS Certification plays a pivotal role in facilitating the exportation of products to India by ensuring compliance with Indian standards and regulations.
At Export Approval platform, powered by Brand Liaison, we understand the challenges faced by manufacturers in obtaining the BIS certificate efficiently and swiftly.
Our specially designed platform is tailored to assist manufacturers in seamlessly navigating the certification process, ensuring that their products meet the requisite standards and gain approval for export to India without unnecessary delays.
With our expertise and resources, manufacturers can fulfil their regulatory obligations and capitalize on the immense growth opportunities presented by the Indian market.
