The Indian Standards Institute mark, better known as an ISI certificate, is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It acts as a mark of quality assurance for products being sold in India. ISI mark certification is given to products undergoing stringent testing and inspection to meet the required standards and compliances.
The ISI mark is an indicator of a product’s adherence to the quality standards, compliances, and regulations set by the BIS. Products with the ISI mark certification signifies their quality, safety, and reliability. Consumers trust and prefer to buy products with the ISI mark.
The ISI certification process includes application submission, making product samples available for testing, and conforming with BIS regulations.
Certain products are mandated to obtain the ISI certificate to safeguard quality standards for end-use consumers. Products that fail to comply with the guidelines prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards can be penalised for violations in accordance with the law.
Benefits of ISI Certification
ISI certification is compulsory for certain products as a part of their compliance measures. Products that fall under the category of mandatory ISI regulations must obtain the certificate to be able to sell legally in Indian markets.
Besides obliging to legal and regulatory processes, having an ISI mark on the products entails many other significant benefits for manufacturers as well as consumers. ISI certification verification is crucial for businesses.
Let us look at the key benefits of having an ISI mark on the products:
- Quality Assurance – One of the most important benefits of having an ISI mark on products is an assurance of quality. ISI mark reflects stringent compliances and rigorous testing that these products have undergone before being available in the Indian markets. ISI mark indicates high quality and reliability.
- Consumer Trust – Consumers prefer to buy products with the ISI mark. In fact, the ISI mark helps build consumer trust as it conveys the products are safe to use. Consumers have faith in such products and their performance, which in turn boosts the goodwill of the brand and builds customer loyalty.
- Market Access – Indian regulations make it mandatory for certain products to obtain an ISI certificate to access the markets. The ISI mark compliance is a compulsory requirement for products designated under these product categories. Obtaining this certificate is mandated to access Indian markets within the legal and regulatory frameworks in the country.
- Competitive Edge – The ISI certificate is a mark of quality assurance that helps brands build trust and reputation for such products. All products bearing the ISI mark stand out in the market with a competitive edge over uncertified products.
- Reduced Liability – Products with ISI certification passes through a rigorous testing regime and compliance measures. Therefore, every product bearing the ISI mark is an assurance of quality and safety standards with reduced risk of failures and associated liabilities.
- Regulatory Compliance – Meeting regulatory compliances helps manufacturers sell their products within the legal framework, and the ISI mark is one such assurance. Products with certified ISI marks are free from the hassle of regulatory and legal requirements. As such, they are made available in the markets freely.
- Facilitates Exports – Products that have acquired ISI certification are deemed to be high on quality and compliance protocols. Such products find it easy to penetrate global markets through exports. The global market has greater acceptance for certified Indian products as it demonstrates adherence to recognized stringent quality standards within the country.
- Consumer Safety – Products with ISI mark indicate that every certified product has cleared every quality protocol and followed every compliance to earn the certificate. That makes all such products safe to use with an assurance that they are free from hazards. ISI mark also helps consumers identify quality products from sub-standard ones available in the market and make an informed choice.
- Quality Control – The ISI mark is an indicator of quality control. Products with ISI mark certification finds greater acceptance amongst consumers, encouraging manufacturers to maintain consistent quality control in their production processes.
- Brand Value – Products with ISI certificate finds more acceptance amongst customers as they prefer to buy products with this mark. In short, ISI-marked products help boost the brand’s overall goodwill value. It also enhances the credibility of the manufacturer, attracting more customers and business opportunities.
Scope of ISI Certificate
ISI mark is a very important aspect of product quality, ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance so that they help manufacturers and consumers alike. Let us explore the overall scope of the ISI certificate:
- Product Categories – The ISI certificate covers a wide range of products across different categories and industries in accordance with the directions of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Some of the products that require a compulsory ISI certificate include electrical appliances, building materials, consumer goods, and automotive components.
- Quality Standards – ISI mark certification signifies that products with ISI mark have followed rigorous quality protocols and compliance standards. Quality standards cover different aspects, including material quality, manufacturing processes, performance, and durability.
- Continuous Monitoring – ISI certified products are under consistent scrutiny and periodic review to ensure they continue to meet the regulatory compliances prescribed by BIS. This monitoring ensures that product quality is maintained so that they do not pose any safety hazards to the consumers.
- Certification Renewal – The ISI certificate needs to be renewed on an annual basis, and the renewal process involves following rigorous processes and complying with stringent regulatory compliances and standards. The renewal process comprises product re-testing as well as factory inspections.
- Industry-Specific Standards – The ISI mark is a quality assurance seal and products with this mark have followed stringent compliance processes. However, different products belonging to different product categories and industries have to follow different standards as mandated by the BIS. This is to safeguard that products meet all requirements.
Documents Needed for ISI Mark Certification
There are several key documents required for ISI registration. The list of documents needed to apply for ISI mark certification in India includes the following:
ISI Certification Procedure
The ISI certification procedure comprises a step-by-step approach as mandated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Let us look at the details of the process to get an ISI Certificate:
- Create a User Account
Applicants are required to create a user account to log in online, complete the registration process, and take the next step in this direction.
- Submit the Application
The next step involved in this process involves submitting the duly filled application by the manufacturer and attach the along required documents along with the application. The documents that need to be submitted include the product details, manufacturing process, quality control measures, and test reports.
- Document Verification
Once the application is submitted, the next step involves verifying the submitted documents. The BIS reviews all the submitted documents to ensure that they meet the required compliance and regulatory standards.
- Product Testing
Once the documents are verified and vetted by the BIS, the next step involves sending the selected product samples to the BIS-recognized laboratories for testing. These tests are organized to verify that the products (through samples) conform to regulatory standards and legal compliance.
- Factory Inspection
Once the product samples are tested at the BIS recognized labs, the next step involves the factory inspection by BIS officials. The inspection is done to determine whether manufacturing facilities are adhering to quality control systems and production processes. This step is to safeguard the production capabilities as per the standards.
- Test Result Review
Once the product sample test reviews are generated, BIS reviews the results received from the laboratory. If the authorities are convinced of the product quality and certify the product, it is believed to have passed all the stringent tests and other requirements.
- Grant of License
Once the products are certified after passing quality assurance measures at the labs, the process moves to the next phase that involves. Here, the product and manufacturing processes that fulfil all standards and compliances are granted the ISI certificate by the authorities. Once the manufacturer is granted the ISI certificate, the manufacturer is then entitled to use the ISI mark on their products.
- Certification Fees
The manufacturers are required to pay ISI mark certification fees, which cover the cost involved in testing and inspection, along with other administrative processes.
- Scrutiny and Renewal
Once the ISI certificate is granted to the manufacturer for the product, BIS conducts scrutiny and inspections from time to time to ensure that the compliances are in order. This certificate needs to be renewed on an annual basis, and product re-testing and factory inspections must be done as well.
- Compliance Maintenance
The manufacturer is required to maintain quality control consistency. In case they make any changes to the product or the manufacturing process, it must be reported to BIS so that they can run a re-evaluation process.
In-house Lab Setting for ISI Registration
Manufacturers are required to set up an in-house lab for ISI registration to create a dedicated testing facility within the manufacturing premises. The aim of setting up such labs is to meet product quality compliances set up by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Setting up the lab involves the procurement of testing equipment and understanding the exact compliances applicable to the products.
BIS outlines that the testing lab should be able to stimulate environmental conditions to support testing accuracy. It is important to hire qualified professionals with expertise in testing and quality control. These labs must create standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain records of all tests, calibrations, and equipment maintenance. It must be done to safeguard consistency and reliability.
Manufacturers must undertake routine quality control tests in-house to address compliance issues proactively, streamline the ISI mark certification process, and ensure product regulations.
Validity of BIS ISI Certificate
The ISI certificate issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India holds validity for a period of one year from the date of issuance. However, in accordance with regulations, the BIS ISI certificate must be renewed annually as and when the validity expires.
It is important that products seeking renewal of the validity meet all the prescribed compliance and standards, and manufacturer adheres with BIS regulations, failing, which the validity may not be renewed.
The renewal process comprises re-evaluation and inspection to confirm if compliance and standards are being followed. Manufacturers are required to submit all the mandated documents and pay renewal fees. Violation of compliances and mandatory standards is important to maintain the validity of the ISI certificate on the product.
Registration Fees for ISI Mark Certification
Registration fees for ISI mark certification depends on various factors. Besides, the overall fees comprise various components such as application fees, sample test fees, inspection charges, registration fees, annual license fees, marketing fees and consultation fees.
The details include-
Timeline for ISI Certificate
Generally, it takes anywhere between 60 to 90 working days to obtain the ISI certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
However, depending on various factors such as the product complexity, application submission, sample testing, testing process competence, document verification, factory inspection, test result review, and final certificate decision, it may vary. Owing to the delays in the end-to-end process, it may take anywhere between 90 days to 180 days for an applicant to receive the ISI mark certification from the BIS.
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Corpbiz is a team of 200+ experienced BIS professionals who are well versed in the ISI mark certification and BIS registration process. We simplify and streamline the procedure of ISI registration for our clients and provide the appropriate solutions quickly. Moreover, we reduce the compliance burden for business ventures. Get your products ISI certified and strengthen your brand image & reputation in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Indian Standards Institute mark, better known as the ISI certificate, is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which acts as a mark of quality assurance for products being sold in India. The ISI mark is an indicator of the product’s adherence to the quality standards, compliances and regulations set by the BIS.
The ISI mark certification issued by the BIS in India holds validity for a period of one year from the issuance date. Nevertheless, in accordance with regulations, the ISI certificate should be renewed annually as and when the validity expires.
Generally, it takes anywhere between 60 to 90 working days to obtain the ISI certificate from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). However, owing to regulatory delays, it may take anywhere between 90 days to 180 days for an pplicant to get the ISI certificate from the BIS.
The ISI certificate is issued by Bureau of Indian Standards known as BIS in India to all the manufacturers who meet the BIS ISI regulations and compliances.
Any manufacturer who fulfils all the regulatory and compliance obligations set by BIS can apply for an ISI certificate in India.
If you come across any duplicate ISI mark, you should immediately report it to the BIS.
The BIS mandates certain products to get ISI registration to be able to access Indian markets and customers. If these products fail to obtain the ISI certification, they are not allowed to be sold.
Any manufacturer found to be violating the ISI mark or misusing it faces penalties, such as a jail sentence for up to a year or a fine of INR 50,000.
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