The BIS Standard Mark or ISI Mark features a License number, denoted as 'CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX,' positioned at the bottom, with the Indian standard number displayed above the ISI Mark. This distinctive mark is bestowed upon by the Bureau of Indian Standards following the successful issuance of the BIS Certificate.

1)Application Submission:

• Gather all necessary documents

• Submit the application along with the required documents online to BIS and physically to the FMCD department

• BIS authorities will review the application

2) Possible Queries:

• Should there be any missing or incomplete documents, test equipment, or other requirements, communication will be conducted via email with the applicant.

• Upon satisfaction with the application in all aspects, it will be duly noted.

• An acknowledgment number will be assigned for future reference.

3) Audit/Inspection:

• A BIS Officer will schedule a visit to the applicant's factory premises on a mutually agreed-upon date.

• Payment of the inspection/audit fee will be required.

• The BIS Officer will assess the manufacturing process, testing infrastructure, and conduct product testing in your in-house laboratory.

• Samples will be collected by the BIS Officer, sealed, and sent to an independent laboratory for testing.

4) Testing of Samples:

• Samples collected are dispatched to the BIS Approval Laboratory.

• BIS (FMCS) receives the test report.

• The BIS Officer will assess the manufacturing process, testing infrastructure, and conduct product testing in your in-house laboratory.

• The application firm bears the charges for testing.

5) License Grant:

• Upon receipt of a satisfactory inspection report from the auditor who visited the factory premises and the product test report conforming to Indian Standards.

• The applicant is required to settle the License fee, advance minimum Marking fee, and any outstanding dues.

• A Letter for Grant of License is then issued.

SAMPLE of an FMCS Grant Certificate

Indemnity Agreement:

An agreement and indemnity bond are established between the applicant and BIS, encompassing the following provisions:

• Fees

• Nomination

• Licensee's rights and responsibilities

• Indemnity

• Termination

• Performance bank guarantee

• License cancellation

• Non-renewal

Following successful completion of all aforementioned steps and payment of all applicable fees, the license will be granted. Initially, it will be issued for a period of 1 year, with the option for renewal in subsequent years.

Please note: A Performance Bank Guarantee of USD 10,000 from an RBI-approved bank must be submitted.

PROCESS TIME

Total time for Certification will be approx. 4-6 months from the date of submission of Application documents.

Note: Separate application is required to be submitted for each product/Indian Standard and for each factory location.

Surveillance Inspection:

Periodic surveillance inspections are conducted by BIS, during which market samples are collected to evaluate the performance of foreign BIS licensees.

Complaint Handling:

Any received complaints regarding the licensee's products prompt an investigation in accordance with IS/ISO 10002 standards. Immediate actions, such as free replacements or repairs, are taken to address complaints. The licensee assumes full liability for any damages, and BIS bears no responsibility for losses or damages incurred.

BIS License Renewal Procedure:

A BIS-certified manufacturer's license is initially valid for one year and can be renewed annually by submitting a renewal application form along with the prescribed fees, duly certified by a Chartered Accountant.

Guidelines for Appointing an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for Foreign Manufacturers

Every foreign applicant or manufacturer must establish a branch office in India, responsible for fulfilling all obligations under the BIS Act of 1986 and related regulations for registration. In cases where foreign manufacturers or companies do not have a branch office in India, it is mandatory for them to appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to obtain BIS Licenses and ISI Mark Certificates. The AIR serves as a local representative, handling the certification application process and addressing inquiries. When nominating an AIR, the applicant should ensure the following:

1. The Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) appointed by the foreign manufacturer must be a resident of India.

2. The AIR must provide consent, acknowledging responsibility for compliance with the provisions of the Indian BIS Act, Rules, Regulations, and the terms and conditions outlined in the BIS License, Agreement, Undertaking, or related documents executed on behalf of the foreign manufacturer.

3. An AIR can exclusively represent one foreign manufacturer at a time and cannot act as the AIR for other foreign applicants concurrently.

4. AIR(s) must maintain impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest regarding sample testing in third-party laboratories.

5. A bachelor's degree and familiarity with the provisions of the BIS Act of 2016, along with its rules and regulations, are the minimum qualifications for an AIR.

6. The name of the AIR must be included in the license documents.

Obtaining BIS Certification can be more complex than anticipated. Therefore, it is recommended that applicants enlist the services of a consultant to ensure a smooth and stress-free certification process.

PRODUCTS UNDER BIS CERTIFICATION SCHEME

WHY USE ABSOLUTE VERITAS (AV) FOR FMCS CERTIFICATION?

Absolute Veritas is a prominent organisation from the private sector of India primarily dealing with the Inspection, Testing, Audits, Certification of products& consulting services to various industries in India and worldwide, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and industry requirements. Offering a comprehensive range of services including product certification, testing, training, auditing, and compliance services, Absolute Veritas helps manufacturers and importers achieve higher production efficiency and quality standards.

Absolute Veritas (AV) will handle end to end pre-registration request, sample preparation, documentation, testing and application process for FMCS Certification

For any questions regarding the most recent update on FMCS registration licenses, please reach out to us via email at cs@absoluteveritas.com