Who can apply for the BIS CRS certification?

If you are reading this article you might be a budding manufacturer of any electronic product or an established one in the electronics, automobiles, electronic toys industry, automotive components industry, etc. You definitely must have heard about the BIS CRS certification scheme.

When any consumer buys an electronic product, the first thing they look for is the BIS mark later the warranty and the safety instructions. Because accidents caused at home, public places, as well as offices due to electrical appliances, include – electrical shocks, fires due to overload of circuits, electrocution from live wires, burns and electrocution due to faulty outlets and switches, damaged cords, improper grounding, improper usage of the appliance and overheating, etc.

That’s why, manufacturing of the appliances according to the Indian Standards, and providing all the necessary safety instructions with proper packaging and labeling are non-negotiable. So naturally, what you and the whole ecosystem need is uniform guidelines, standards, and a quality assurance system from the political authority of the nation-state you’re residing in or intend to export.

Here comes the Bureau of Indian Standards. If you google – BIS, the first sentence you’ll come across is that BIS is a national standards body of India. But, what does that mean?

By looking at its mandate and objectives we understand that BIS is responsible for –

Standardization

Marking

Quality certification

Conformity assessment

Addressing national priorities, and Government initiatives

One of the mandates of BIS is the Compulsory Registration Scheme. Let’s get into the details of who can apply for BIS CRS certification.

Any manufacturer or importer of specific products can apply for the BIS CRS Registration India, but specific eligibility criteria need to be fulfilled. Here's who can apply:

1. Manufacturers:

The domestic manufacturers that is, the Indian companies who produce goods within India can apply for BIS CRS certification for products that fall under the relevant BIS standards (IS standards).

Foreign Manufacturers that is, companies based outside India wanting to export in the Indian market can also apply for BIS CRS certification. If you are a foreign manufacturer you must establish a relationship with a local authorized representative or a liaison office within India.

2. Importers:

If you are a foreign manufacturers who want to import their products into India then, you need to ensure that their goods comply with BIS standards. The importer can apply for BIS CRS certification on behalf of the manufacturer.

Products Covered Under CRS:

BIS certification under CRS is mandatory for several types of products, including but not limited to:

Electrical Appliances: Electrical Cables, Switches and Consumer Electrical Products.

Automobiles and Automotive Components like spare parts of the vehicles, tyres, etc.

Industrial Related products such as industrial equipment and related protective accessories etc

Items of daily use in the kitchen like microwave oven, cooker etc.

If you have read till here, you must have realized in which category you come in. The next important step is the consolidation of the documents. Let’s go through the list of documents you’ll require at the different stages of the CRS certification.

In general, the required documents that a manufacturer needs to submit to the BIS to obtain BIS certification are as follows:

Details regarding your office and factory -

Registered names with the government

Proof of registered office such as utility bills

Incorporation certificate or Memorandum of association

The rules differ for the businesses that fall under the MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) hence, if applicable then the MSME/ SSI certificate

Raw material to finished product - details of the manufacturing process flow

Documents of outsourcing of manufacturing operation, if applicable

Testing facilities details

Test details report - in-house or independent

In case the application is signed by the authorized signatory, the authorization letter from the CEO in the authorized signatory's name

In the case of a foreign manufacturer or overseas applicant, the nomination details of the Indian agent and the nomination form, etc

While applying for the BIS CRS certificate please make sure that -

Your products comply with the relevant Indian Standard (IS).

Put in place the quality control processes and necessary facilities to maintain the required standards.

Documentation and application forms need to be submitted to BIS, including test reports, factory inspection reports, and more.

For foreign manufacturers, there might be additional requirements such as testing at accredited laboratories and site inspections.

The objectives of the BIS include shielding the consumers from the dangers of inferior and ill-quality products and also encouraging the production and sale of locally made goods and services by denying access to substandard products.

This certification helps to guarantee that only safe, high-quality, and Indian standard-compliant products are allowed into the market, for the safety and security of the consumer and commerce.

Anyone who manufactures or imports products that require compliance with Indian standards can apply for BIS CRS certification. This certification ensures that products meet safety, quality, and regulatory requirements for the Indian market, benefiting both consumers and businesses.