FMCS Certification

An Overview of Foreign Manufacturer Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification

In India, BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) has been functioning Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification since the year 200o under BIS Act, 2016 and Rules & Regulations framed thereunder. Under FMCS, the license is issued to a Foreign Manufacturer to use Standard Mark on a product that qualifies as per Indian Standard. Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) is applicable for the grant of license for all products except electronics and IT products notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The license is given by FMCD (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department). The product which fulfils the necessity of the Indian Standard can get the license under the mandatory or voluntary certification.

Mandatory Products Under Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification

Following is this list of all the mandatory products that require Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification:

• Medical equipment;
• Aluminium foil;
• Batteries;
• Food and food-related products;
• Kitchen appliances;
• Electric motors;
• Chemical & fertilisers;
• Cables;
• Electric transformers;
• Cattle Feeds;
• And others.

Who can apply for Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification?

The manufacturers who have their factory locations outside India can apply for Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification. They shall:

• Have all manufacturing facilities or machinery at their factory premises;
• Have competent testing personnel in their lab to test products;
• Ensure conformity of their product to applicable ISS (Indian Standard Specifications);
• Have all arrangements or equipment in their factories for product testing as per ISS;
• Accept the SIT (Scheme of Testing and Inspection) and Marking Fee;
• Accept the Terms and Conditions of the license.

Documents Required for Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification

Following are some vital Documents required at the time of obtaining Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification:

• Documents authenticating establishment of Branch or Liaison Office of the applicant or agent appointed by the applicant in India, such as Certificate of Registration regarding the incorporated company, Partnership Deed of a firm etc., including permission from the RBI, wherever applicable;
• Nomination of an authorised representative of the Branch or Liaison Office of the applicant or legally appointed agent of the applicant, as the instance may be, duly executed by the applicant on its letterhead;
• Copy of Quality plan, quality manual, test formats, etc., for quality assurance system being followed in a factory;
• Process flow-chart presenting complete manufacturing process (from procurement of raw material or gears to the storage of finished product);
• Details of pre-certification, if any, for the raw materials or components used in product manufacturing;
• List of Manufacturing Machinery;
• List of test equipment;
• Details of other certifications, if any, for the systems and/or products in the factory;
• Drawing of the product and/or components;
• Test report from a certified lab;
• Appointment letter, experience letter, and qualification certificate of lab in-charge or technical staff or quality personal permanently employed;
• Layout plan of the factory from the nearest Railway station or Airport or landmark and guidance on how to reach from India;
• Layout plan of the factory premises or units, clearly showing the exact location of big manufacturing machinery, lab, etc.;
• Details regarding the previous license held or license cancelled, or applications rejected. Reasons for such cancellation or rejection and/or conviction in the past, if any, under the BIS Act, 1986 shall also be mentioned in the application form.

Important Points to Remember Before Filing Application for Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification

Following are some vital points to know before filing an application for Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification:

• A separate application must be submitted for each product;
• The cost of all inspections or visits and testing shall be borne by the applicant;
• Ensure filing-in complete office & factory address and submission of supporting Documentary evidence. Any change in the address shall be immediately informed to BIS with supporting Documents of the new address;
• The applicant will be required to submit the Acceptance of Scheme of Testing & Inspection (STI) and Marking Fee Rate and declaration of brand name, etc., as per the T&C of a grant of license in suggested proforma after recording of application or at the time of visit or inspection;
• Clearly specify related Indian Standard & product varieties for which license is sought, such as grade, class, rating, type, etc. The classification & nomenclature given in the related Indian Standard should be referred to while providing information. Such information, including declared parameters, would be required to know the samples which would be drawn at the time of BIS inspection for independent testing;
• The CEO of the firm should sign the duly filled application, or in their absence, signed by the representative authorised by him or her. It should be sealed and countersigned by the legally appointed Authorised Indian Representative (AIR);
• In case the details submitted by the applicant along with the application are found to be incorrect, the application is liable to be rejected;
• For Documents in a language other than English or Hindi, a translation in English or Hindi should also be provided.

Procedure for Obtaining Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification

Step 1: Filing of an Application: First, we will help you file the application form and arrange Documents on your behalf and submit the same for the further process.

Step 2: Factory Inspection: Once we submit the form and Documents, a requisite fee must be paid, and then a factory inspection will be conducted to inspect the manufacturing & testing infrastructure. During factory inspection, the product sample will be drawn for independent testing.

Step 3: Pay the License Fee: Once the factory inspection is done, then you have to pay the license fee & advance minimum marking fee.

Step 4: Issuance of Certificate: After completion of all the steps, the department will issue Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification and we will send you the same through email.

Why Choose Corpbiz?

Corpbiz will educate you regarding every aspect of the Foreign Manufacturing Certification Scheme (FMCS) Certification. Obtaining this certification is not an easy task; however, there is no better place to obtain it than Corpbiz because our team will examine the product requirements to give clear guidance.