BIS Certification Checklist

BIS Certification Checklist

Comprehensive, plagiarism-free guide and checklist to prepare and apply for BIS product certification (ISI / CRS / other product certification procedures) in India.

Executive Summary

This document is a practical, detailed checklist for manufacturers, importers, brand owners and consultants preparing for BIS product certification in India. It explains the types of BIS schemes, pre-application requirements, the full documents checklist, testing and sample guidance, steps for online submission, factory inspection and surveillance, post-certification obligations, common pitfalls and sample templates you can reuse.

What is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national standards body, responsible for standardization, marking and quality certification of goods. BIS operates multiple product-certification mechanisms (including product licensing for the ISI mark and the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for several electronic and other products). The official BIS product-certification process and product lists are maintained on the BIS website.

Key official resources you should consult during preparation: the BIS Product Certification Process page and the BIS list of products under compulsory certification. These pages define scheme-specific requirements, lists of covered products and recognized test laboratories.

Primary official resources used (consult these for the latest updates): BIS — Product Certification Process; BIS — Products under Compulsory Certification; BIS CRS portal guidance and checklists. (See References section at the end of this document.)

Major BIS certification schemes (at a glance)

1. Product Certification (ISI Mark / licence): Typically applies to products covered under Indian Standards (IS). The manufacturer obtains a licence to use the ISI mark or applicable standard mark after meeting quality and testing requirements.
2. Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS): Applies to categories (often electronic/IT and other products) made mandatory by Quality Control Orders. Registration under CRS requires submission of test reports, regulatory forms and may require factory evaluation depending on the product. BIS publishes the list of products and scheme-specific guidance.
3. Simplified procedures and Scheme X / Other arrangements: For some product groups BIS allows simplified processes or Scheme X-style certification where fewer steps or particular formats apply. Always check product-specific pages on BIS.

Pre-application checklist — what to confirm before you start

Follow these checks before beginning your application:

• Confirm whether your product is covered by a mandatory BIS requirement (QCO/Compulsory registration) or whether voluntary product certification (license) applies.
• Identify the exact Indian Standard (IS) number or product code that applies.
• Decide the applicant type: manufacturer (domestic) or foreign manufacturer (through Importer/Authorised Indian Representative).
• Confirm the brand ownership and prepare authorization letter if the brand is owned by a third party or local agent.
• Plan for product testing at a BIS-recognized/empanelled or NABL-accredited laboratory (some schemes require specific labs).
• Prepare the factory and quality-system documents; many schemes require evidence of consistent manufacturing capacity and QMS.
• Allocate budget and timeline — testing, inspections and corrections typically take several weeks depending on the product and test complexity.

Detailed Documents Checklist (category-wise)

Below is a practical, category-wise list of documents typically required. Exact documents vary by product and scheme — treat this as a comprehensive, reusable checklist and confirm product-specific requirements on the BIS portal.

1. Company / Legal / Identity Documents

• Certificate of Incorporation / Business Registration: Copy of Certificate of Incorporation for companies, or Business registration/Partnership deed/Proprietorship proof.
• PAN Card: Copy of the company PAN card.
• GST Registration: GST registration certificate (if applicable).
• MOA & AOA: Memorandum & Articles of Association for private/public limited companies.
• Proof of Registered/Factory Address: Recent utility bill (electricity/water), property tax receipt or lease/rent agreement for factory and/or office.
• Director/Authorized Signatory ID Proof: Photo ID and address proof (Aadhaar, Passport, Driving Licence or other accepted ID).
• IEC (Import-Export Code): For foreign manufacturers or importers who will import samples or products (if applicable).

1. Manufacturing / Factory Documents

• Factory Address Proof: Electricity bill, municipal tax receipt or lease deed for the production location.
• List of Machinery and Capacity: Comprehensive list of production equipment and capacity details.
• Process Flow & Layout: Simple diagram describing the process flow and factory layout.
• Quality Control Plan: Quality checks, inspection points, in-house test equipment details.
• Employee List & Responsible Persons: Names and roles for QA/QC, production and technical staff.

1. Product Technical Documents

• Product Specifications: Detailed technical specification and applicable IS code(s).
• Bill of Materials (BOM) / Components List: List of raw materials, critical components and country of origin for key parts.
• Assembly & Wiring Diagrams: If applicable, provide circuit/wiring drawings, exploded views or assembly diagrams.
• User Manual / Instruction Leaflet: Draft user manual in English (and local language if required).
• Photographs & Identification Details: Clear photos of product (front, back, internal PCB/assembly if applicable), label/brand placement.
• Marking & Labeling Details: Proposed marking showing where BIS mark / license number will be placed and how.

1. Testing & Laboratory Documents

• Test Reports: Valid test report(s) from BIS-recognised/empanelled laboratories or NABL-accredited labs (product-specific—verify required tests).
• Sample Test Reports (for initial submission): Some schemes require original signed test reports; check validity period and whether in-house lab reports are accepted temporarily.
• Uniform Test Report Formats: For CRS products BIS specifies uniform test-report formats—ensure lab follows the required template.
• Calibration Certificates: Calibration records of in-house test equipment (if claims are based on in-house testing).

1. Application & Scheme-Specific Forms

• Online application acknowledgement / portal screenshot: Proof of filing on the BIS portal/manakonline or CRSBIS and application reference number.
• Form VI / Product Specific Forms: Some schemes require FORM VI or other declarations—complete, sign and stamp as required.
• Authorization Letter from Brand Owner: If the applicant is not the brand owner, provide signed authorization.
• Declaration & Undertakings: Affidavits/undertakings by CEO/MD/Authorized signatory where required (notarised if requested).

1. Payments, Logistics & Samples

• Payment Receipts: Proof of fee payment (NEFT / challan / transaction receipt) for application and testing where applicable.
• Sample Submission Details: Number of samples, sample IDs and packing details sent to the testing lab and to BIS (if requested).
• Shipping & Import Documents (if samples are imported): Commercial invoice, airway bill, customs clearance and IEC details.

Quality Testing, Accredited Labs & Helpful tips

Test reports should generally come from BIS-recognised/empanelled laboratories or NABL-accredited labs, especially for CRS products. Check BIS’s recognised labs list and the product-specific test format before sending samples to the testing lab to avoid re-testing or rejected reports.

If you are a foreign manufacturer, appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) or local responsible person to handle testing, import of samples and liaison with BIS.

Application Process — Typical Steps

• Identify the product & applicable Indian Standard(s): Confirm product coverage and IS code on BIS product lists.
• Prepare documents & arrange testing: Collect all company, factory and technical documents and commission tests at BIS-recognized labs.
• Submit online application: Apply via BIS portal (Manakonline / CRSBIS as applicable), upload documents and pay fees.
• Factory audit / inspection (if applicable): BIS may conduct factory inspection or request additional clarifications/documentation.
• Evaluation & grant: After technical evaluation and satisfactory inspection, BIS grants certificate or registration and issues licence/registration number.
• Surveillance & renewal: Maintain records; comply with surveillance testing and renew license before expiry.

Post-Certification Obligations & Surveillance

After grant, certificate holders must follow marking & labelling requirements, keep production records, cooperate with surveillance inspections and send periodic sample test reports (as required). Any change in manufacturing location, brand ownership or product design must be notified to BIS and may require re-evaluation.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Using non-recognised lab reports: Always verify the lab is BIS-recognised for the specific product tests—incorrect labs cause rejection.
• Incomplete BOM or unclear product identification: Provide clear component lists and photos to avoid ambiguity during evaluation.
• Wrong or missing authorization letter: If the applicant is not the brand owner, a notarised authorization is often essential.
• Ignoring product-specific formats: Some products require specific declaration formats or FORM VI—use BIS templates.
• Delays due to re-testing: Ensure samples and packaging match what is submitted for testing to reduce re-sampling.

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