Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex falls under the Conformity Assessment Scheme of BIS. This implies that BIS approval is mandatory for such products. The BIS certification serves as a mark of quality and hence helps the product stand out in the given marketplace. It’s worth noting that the Indian Standard (First Revision) 11356:2020 covers this product and has several guidelines regarding its quality, testing, packaging, and marking. Once approved by BIS, these products can bear mandatory ISI marking, which is a sign of unprecedented quality and reliability. Let’s have a closer look at the legalities around the BIS certification for Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex and how can you apply for the same.
Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex: Meaning and Applicability
Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex (SBR Latex) is an artificial polymer emulsion made by polymerizing styrene and butadiene. Due to its exceptional adhesive and mechanical properties, SBR Latex is commonly used in several industrial applications.
SBR Latex is used in the production of various products such as paper coatings, adhesives, carpet backings, and latex foam. It is also used in the construction industry for sealing and bonding applications, as well as in the textile industry for textile coatings.
Styrene-butadiene latex is utilized in various industries such as tire cord dipping, compounding adhesives for the footwear and paper industries, carpet backings, upholstery, and linings for proofed goods such as firefighting hoses.
Understanding the Guidelines under the Indian Standard (First Revision) 11356:2020
The Indian Standard (First Revision) 11356:2020 pertains to styrene-butadiene rubber latex. This standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards following approval from the Petroleum, Coal, and Related Products Division Council. The Rubber and Rubber Products Sectional Committee finalized the draft.
The standard outlines the requirements, sampling, and testing methods for styrene-butadiene rubber latex. This standard applies to non-staining hot polymerized styrene butadiene type copolymer latex emulsified with rosin acid soap emulsifier.
The material must meet the requirements specified in this standard. The tests specified in the standard must be carried out according to the specifications in a properly equipped and staffed laboratory.
Mandatory Tests Concerning BIS Certification for Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex
The Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex should undergo the following tests to qualify for BIS certification.
- Relative density
- Bound styrene
- pH
- Coagulum content
- Total solids content
- Mechanical stability
- Residual styrene
- Average particle size
- Surface tension
- Mooney viscosity
Guidelines Concerning the Packing and Marking
In compliance with IS 11356:2020, packing and marking of the latex must be carried out. The latex should be packed in mild steel drums coated with epoxy or other containers agreed upon by the purchaser and supplier. The containers must be labeled with the manufacturer’s name or trademark, net and gross mass in kg, and the month and year of packing.
If the product meets the requirements of this standard, it may be certified under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, and corresponding rules and regulations. The product(s) may be marked with the Standard Mark (ISI Mark).
To use a standard mark (ISI Mark), the manufacturer must obtain a BIS license from the Bureau of Indian Standards. The BIS license is granted based on a successful assessment of manufacturing infrastructure, quality control and testing capabilities, and production process.
Documents Requirements Concerning BIS Certification for Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex
The following paperwork serves as a mandatory annexure to the application for BIS certification:
- Details of raw materials used in the manufacturing process
- Test report from a BIS-recognized laboratory
- Details of the manufacturing unit, including factory building plan, employee list, and photographs of the manufacturing unit
- Application form
- List of machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing process
- Quality control plan
- Details of finished products
- Details of testing facility and equipment used for quality control
- Undertaking from the manufacturer reflecting compliance with relevant BIS guidelines.
- Proof of ownership or lease agreement concerning the manufacturing unit
How to Obtain BIS Certification for Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex?
To obtain a BIS certification for Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex, the following steps must be followed:
- Identify the relevant Indian Standard (IS) for the product. This can be done by consulting with a BIS office or by referring to the BIS[1] website.
- Submit an application to BIS on the online portal along with the required paperwork, fees, and test reports from a certified laboratory.
- The product is tested by a certified laboratory to ensure that it meets the relevant Indian Standards.
- A BIS officer visits the production premise to check that the product is being manufactured in compliance with the relevant standards and guidelines.
- If the product adheres to the underlying requirements, BIS grants a license to use the ISI marking.
Importance of Periodic Surveillance and Renewal
BIS performs periodic surveillance of the production premise and the product to ensure that it continues to be in line with the norms of the relevant BIS standard. The license should be renewed before its validity comes to an end. The timely renewal will help you continue using the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) on the product.
Conclusion
The BIS certification is essential for Styrene Butadiene Rubber Latex (SBR Latex) as it confirms that the product meets the relevant Indian Standards and quality requirements. BIS certification assures customers that the SBR Latex they purchase is of high quality and meets safety and performance standards. It also enables manufacturers to demonstrate that their products meet recognized standards, giving them a competitive edge in the market. Moreover, BIS certification is obligatory for specific products in India, including SBR Latex. As a result, manufacturers and importers who wish to sell their SBR Latex products in India must obtain BIS certification.
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