The BIS Certification for Smart Speakers is certified under Indian Standard IS 616:2017 under Audio, video and similar electronic apparatus-safety requirements. According to the BIS standards, all models and brands of Smart speakers (with and without display) must get a BIS Certification for Smart Speakers before they are manufactured, sold or imported to the Indian market. The BIS Registration Certificate is provided only to the manufacturers and not to any dealer, trader or distributor of smart speakers. In this write-up, we are going to discuss how to get BIS Certification for Smart Speakers.
Technical Specifications of Smart Speakers
A smart speaker is a smart device with various features, including a built-in virtual assistant, weather reports, a dictionary, maps and directions, etc. The core features of smart speakers, which are essential for the proper functioning of the device, are as follows-
- The compact size of the smart speaker simplifies usage and makes it convenient for travelling purposes.
- A Wi-Fi home network can be used to connect a smart speaker to the internet.
- Smart speakers can stream music from online sources supported by the specific brand and model thanks to network and internet connectivity.
- A smart speaker might support Bluetooth. You can now stream music from compatible tablets and smartphones.
- One or more built-in microphones on a smart speaker enable you to speak instructions for the device.
- A smart speaker can serve as a virtual home assistant in addition to voice control and recognition. Access to local over-the-air radio stations, TV and lighting control, message dictation, audiobook playback, language translation, shopping (including ordering takeout and delivery), and hands-free phone calling are just a few of the features that can be found in a home assistant.
What is BIS CRS?
The Bureau of Indian standards or BIS is the national standards body of India. According to the BIS Act 2016[1], the Compulsory Registration Scheme is run under the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulation, 2018 (Scheme Il of Schedule Il). The scheme aims to give the quickly growing electronic and information technology sectors momentum.
It has increased the competitiveness of Domestic Manufacturers, given Indian consumers the right to enjoy products of top-notch quality, and protected them from fake and inferior products at the same time. Using this approach, the Indian government has been able to close the gap between people, technology, and safety and prevent the dumping of non-compliant goods.
The BIS Certification Scheme is voluntary. But the Central Government has made it compulsory for specific products to comply with Indian Standards. The compliance is set up to maintain public interest, protect human, animal and plant health, protect the environment’s safety, prevent unfair trade practices, and ensure national security.
Following are the functions performed by BIS-
- Developing and Publishing Indian Standards
- Implementing Conformity Assessment Schemes
- Recognising the laboratories for conducting tests and trials
- Implementing hallmarking schemes
- Working for consumer empowerment
- Providing quality assurance to consumers
- Representing India in ISO and IEC
The Central Government has made it necessary to obtain approval to use standard marks under a BIS License or Certificate of Conformity (CoC).
The products that fall under compulsory certification are required to obtain the following certificates-
- Scheme-I – ISI mark scheme
- Scheme-II- CRS scheme
- Scheme IV- Grant of Certificate of Conformity
As per the order issued by BIS, dated 1st October 2020 in SO 3429(E), the Central Government listed seven new products to be included in the Schedule of the “Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012. The registration of the BIS Certification for smart speakers falls under scheme II of the Compulsory certification by the government.
BIS Regulations for Smart Speakers
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, under the IPHW division, issued a notification on 1st October 2020 which mentioned the list of products added to the schedule of the “Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for compulsory registration) Order, 2012.
As per the notification, seven new products are added to the Compulsory registration certificates list. The product list includes the following-
- Wireless microphone
- Digital Camera
- Video Camera
- Webcam (finished product)
- Smart speakers (with and without display)
- Dimmers for LED products
- Bluetooth speakers
Tests to check quality standards of smart speakers
The Bureau of Indian Standards or BIS has prescribed a format of Uniform test reports to be used by the BIS-approved laboratory for conducting tests under the Compulsory Registration Scheme or CRS.
BIS Certification for Smart Speakers under Indian standards IS 616: 2017/ IEC 60065: 2014 is provided after conducting the following laboratory tests as prescribed by the BIS-
- Marking requirements testing
- Radiation test
- Heating test
- Electrical safety test
- Mechanical property test
- Testing of the components
- Wiring test
- Testing of Physical Properties
- Testing for protection against splashing water
- Communicating connection test
- Testing of Insulation properties
- Electrical safety test
Documents required to obtain a BIS Certification for Smart Speakers
Following are the documents required for obtaining BIS Certification for Smart Speakers:
- Filled up CDF/CCL form
- Filled up BIS application form
- Business License of the manufacturing unit
- The scope of the Business License
- ISO certificate of manufacturer
- Marking Label/ Details of Marking on the product
- Authorisation letter (If the signatory person is other than the head of the manufacturing)
- Test Report
- Trade Mark Certificate
- Trademark Authorization Letter (If TM is owned by other than the manufacturer)
- Authorized Indian Representative Company registration proof in INDIA (in case of the foreign manufacturer)
- Photo ID of Authorised Indian Representative/ Authorized Signatory
- Technical Specification Sheet of Product/user manual
- Product manual
Procedure to Obtain BIS Certification for Smart Speakers
The manufacturer must apply for the BIS certificate to obtain BIS Certification for Smart Speakers. The BIS Registration process for Domestic (Indian) Manufacturers differs from that of a Foreign Manufacturer.
The procedure to be followed by a Foreign Manufacturer is-
- The manufacturer is required to appoint an AIR to perform all the duties on his behalf.
- The application must be submitted with all the necessary documents
- The applicant must submit the product sample for testing to a BIS-approved laboratory.
- The manufacturer must collect the test reports from the BIS-approved laboratory and submit the reports to the BIS office. The reports must be accompanied by a copy of the online application form or hardcopy application form in the case of offline submission.
- The reports are verified and examined at the BIS office.
- After verifying the details, The BIS office grants BIS Certification for Smart speakers to the manufacturer or authorised agent representative (AIR).
The procedure followed by an Indian Manufacturer is-
- The application must be submitted along with all the necessary documents
- The applicant must submit the product sample for testing to a BIS-approved laboratory.
- The manufacturer must collect the test reports from the BIS-approved laboratory and submit the reports to the BIS office. The reports must be accompanied by a copy of the online application form or hardcopy application form in the case of offline submission.
- The reports are verified and examined at the BIS office.
- After verifying the details, The BIS office grants the manufacturer BIS Certification for Smart speakers.
Conclusion
BIS Certification for Smart Speakers is mandatory to be obtained by the manufacturers under the BIS Compulsory registration scheme. Since the BIS certification ensures the safety and quality standards of the product, the customers can gain trust in the creation and are free from any risk to the health of the human body. The BIS Certification for smart speakers ensures that the development has enhanced its credibility to the end users. The BIS-certified products assure their highest quality and dependability and reduce money wastage on wrong or faulty products, also causing an increase in their sale in domestic and international markets. The BIS certification also allows the manufacturers to expand their business by availing of various benefits. However, it is always recommended to get the help of a professional to obtain the BIS Certification for smart speakers to understand the technical specifications of the entire process and to avoid any monetary loss which may be caused by the rejection of the application due to the slightest error.
Read our Article:How to Obtain BIS Certification for Wireless Headphones & Earphones in India?
