An overview of ISI/BIS Certification for FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme)

Are you a foreign manufacturer looking to get ISI/BIS certification for your product in India? Not to mention but the ISI Mark is by far the most recognizable and trusted mark that most of the consumers in India look for before making a final purchase of the product. Before a foriegn manufacturer launches their product in the Indian market they need to get the ISI/BIS certification. It will not only help you to make your products live but also encourages consumers to purchase the product. 

Today globalization has opened the doors for manufacturers and service providers to sell their products/services across different countries. Compared to other countries India has always been the most favorable and attractive destination for foriegn manufacturers. There are many leading companies that are investing hugely in the Indian market and few in a row to make investments in the manufacturing sector. 

If you are planning to do the same then you must be aware of the rules and standards set by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). According to BIS, one can not launch the product directly into the market without testing, marking, and conformity compliance. That is where the FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) comes into the picture for product certification by BIS. 

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS)

Not to mention but India has always been a huge market and many foriegn manufacturers look to launch their products in Indian. To do that foriegn manufacturers need to get product certification. The FMCS or Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme has been handled by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) since the year 2000 enabling foriegn manufacturers to use the ISI mark for selling their products in the Indian market. 

The FMCS is operated under Scheme-I of Schedule-II and is applicable to all the products except IT and electronics goods. FMCD (foriegn manufacturer certification department) is the one that grants certification to foriegn manufacturers. Once you receive the ISI certification then you can assure your customer that the product they are purchasing is high quality, safe, risk-free, and most importantly reliable. 

Before you get the standard certification for your product it has to go through the factory audit to identify whether it is complying with the requirement set by BIS. The time duration of receiving the final certification for the foriegn manufacturer may vary compared to the domestic manufacturers.  

BIS STANDARD MARK/ISI MARK

Foreign manufacturers who want to export their product to India, first need to get a Licence from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and following requirements shall be fulfilled by the applicant.

1. The manufacturing unit should be located outside of India.
2. Ensure conformity of their product(s) to applicable Indian Standards Specification (ISS).
3. At the factory premises, all manufacturing machinery and testing facilities should be available.
4. Product testing equipment and quality control personnel should be available in-house laboratory to test the product as per applicable ISS.
5. The manufacturer should accept the Scheme of Inspection & Testing(SIT) and the annual marking fee.
6. The company/manufacturer (FMCS) should accept the terms and conditions of the Licence.

Note - Separate applications shall be submitted for each product, each factory location.

MANDATORY DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FMCS ISI MARK CERTIFICATION

The documentation part under the FMCS scheme of BIS is quite simple as very recently BIS Online application system has been introduced to collect and maintain the records. Following are the essential documents, must be available with the applicant before initiating the project:

1. Factory/company registration documents
2. Flow chart of manufacturing process
3. Manufacturing capabilities in-house and also outsourcing agreement of manufacturing operation, if applicable.
4. Adequate facilities for testing
5. Quality Control Parameters and their records
6. Accept Scheme of Testing& Inspection and Annual Marking fee, laboratory product testing report and other information as per BIS norm and so on. The list of documents is quite tedious and can be obtained from BIS.

1. Submit application:
   • Compile all required documents
   • Submit the application with required documents to BIS online and hardcopy to FMCD department
   • BIS authority will verify the application
2. Query raised (if any):
   • In case, any document or test equipment or any other requirement is missing or incomplete, communication will be done by email with applicant
   • If the application is found satisfactory in all respects, it will be recorded
   • Acknowledgement number will be allotted for future purpose
3. Audit/Inspection:
   • BIS Officer will arrange a visit at factory premises of applicant on the mutually agreed date
   • Remittance of inspection/audit fee
   • BIS Officer will verify the manufacturing process, testing infrastructure and also test the product in your in-house laboratory
   • BIS Officer will collect the sample, seal it, and forward it for testing with an independent laboratory
4. Sample Testing:
   • Sample collected sent to BIS Approval Laboratory
   • BIS(FMCS) receive the test report
   • Charges for testing will be paid by the application firm
5. Grant of Licence:
   • Satisfactory inspection report of the auditor visited the factory premises, and test report of the product received according to Indian Standards
   • Applicant should pay a Licence fee, advance minimum Marking fee & if any outstanding due
   • Letter for Grant of Licence issued
6. Indemnity Bond:
   Agreement & Indemnity bond entered between the applicant and BIS. It includes following provisions
   • Fees
   • Nomination
   • All rights and responsibilities of licensee
   • Indemnity
   • Termination
   • Performance bank guarantee
   • Cancellation of license
   • Non-Renewal
7. After qualifying all above steps, the licence will be granted once all type of fee is paid. Initially, it will be granted for 1 year, which would be further renewable for subsequent years.
8. Note: Performance Bank Guarantee should be of USD 10000 of any bank approved from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to be submitted

TIMELINE FOR BIS LICENCE

The average time taken for Grant of Licence is approximately 6 months from the date receipt of complete application and its recording. The rest depends upon the circumstances. It may vary for certain reasons like delay from applicants in response to queries raised, if any, delay in organizing inspection or testing of the sample, remittance of dues, etc.

SURVEILLANCE INSPECTION

Surveillance Inspection is carried out from time to time, and market samples are drawn out by the BIS in order to assess the performance of the foreign BIS licensee.

COMPLAINT REDRESSAL

In case any complaint is received against the licensee’s product, then an investigation will be carried out as per IS/ISO 10002, and immediate action will be taken to redress the complaints, such as free replacement or repair. In case of any damage, the entire liability will be borne by the licensee, and BIS will not be responsible for any damages or losses.

HOW TO RENEW BIS LICENCE?

A license is valid for the time period of one year. It can be further renewed for subsequent years just by filing a renewal application form along with the prescribed fees, which should be certified by the Chartered accountant.