Blackboards, also called chalkboards, are flat surfaces used in classrooms for teaching purposes. They were traditionally made from natural materials like slate or wood painted with black or green paint. Nowadays, they are also constructed from different materials such as porcelain-coated steel, glass, or laminate surfaces. Despite the advent of digital boards, blackboards remain in demand due to their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use.

To ensure the product quality of blackboards and consumer safety, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made it mandatory for manufacturers to undergo BIS registration and obtain the BIS ISI mark before selling their products in the market. Manufacturers can use the ISI Mark on their products only after obtaining a license from BIS that is granted after BIS registration. The presence of the ISI mark on a product indicates that it complies with BIS's stringent quality standards.

Blackboards fall under the IS 1659:2004 standard. This rule outlines the guidelines, sampling, and testing methods for blackboards.

GUIDELINES FOR GROUPING BLOCK BOARDS

1. Block Boards are classified based on the following parameters:

a) Grade: BWP (Boiling Water Proof) and MR (Moisture Resistant)

b) Type: Decorative type (DEC) and Commercial type (COM)

c) Thickness: 12 mm to 50 mm

d) Any dimensions agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser are also permitted, in addition to the standard dimensions.

2. The requirements for BWP grade are more stringent than MR grade plywood. However, the Mycological test is applicable only for MR grade.

3. Additionally, manufacturing block boards with higher thickness demands a more critical manufacturing capacity and infrastructure compared to those with lesser thickness.

4. Considering the above, the following grouping guidelines for Group of Licenses/Composite Set of Licenses (GoL/CSoL) have been developed:

5. One sample of each type (DEC and COM) with the highest thickness and any size from each grade (BWP and MR) shall be tested for all requirements to cover Block Boards of that type and grade tested for thickness up to and including the tested sample.

6. The manufacturer shall declare the varieties of Block Boards they intend to cover in the License. The Scope of License may be restricted based on the manufacturer's manufacturing capability and testing facilities.

7. During the License's operation, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BO) shall ensure that all the varieties covered in the License are tested in rotation to the extent possible.

TEST REQUIREMENTS OF IS 1659: 2004

·      Dimensions and tolerance

·       Defects

·       Adhesion of plies

·       Spot test

·       Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity.

To learn about the test equipment in detail, please refer to the BIS official product manual. 

Product Manual link: PM-IS-1659-JULY-2020-Revised-2.pdf (bis.gov.in)

 Process for BIS ISI Mark Certification 

To know the process in detail, please visit:

• ISI Mark Certification for Domestic Manufactures
• ISI Mark Certification for Foreign Manufactures

Under BIS Registration Products ISI and CRS

·       BIS CRS Registration For IT Products List

·       ISI Mark Registration For ISI Products List

CONCLUSION

Blackboards have been included in the mandatory ISI Certification Scheme under the IS 1659:2014 standard. This product cannot be exported, imported, or sold in the Indian consumer market without the ISI Mark imprinted.

If you need any assistance with BIS ISI registration for blackboards or ISI mark certification for blackboards, you can reach out to Evtlindia. We provide assistance with all documentation formalities with India's BIS office, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free registration experience, guiding you through the entire process from start to finish.

You can contact us via email at contact@evtlindia.com or by phone at 9560935898. Feel free to get in touch with us anytime for the support you need.