Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been operating a Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) since the year 2000. Under FMCS, the license is granted to a Foreign Manufacturer for use of Standard Mark on a product that conforms to an Indian Standard. The Scheme is applicable for grant of license for all products except Electronics and IT goods notified by Deity. The license is granted by Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) located at BIS Headquarters, New Delhi. The BIS license is granted for a location where the product is manufactured and tested as per relevant Indian Standard(s) and Standard Mark is applied on the product conforming to such Indian Standard(s)
Who can apply for BIS license under FMCS?
The manufacturers, which have their company location outside India can apply under FMCS (BIS).
These companies shall:
- ensure conformity of their product(s) to applicable Indian Standards Specification (ISS)
- have all manufacturing machinery/facilities at their factory premises.
- have all arrangements/ equipment in their factory premises for testing of the product(s) as per applicable ISS.
- have competent testing personnel in their lab to test the product(s) as per applicable ISS.
- accept the Scheme of Testing & Inspection (STI) and Marking Fee.
- accept the Terms & Conditions of the license.
Note: the Separate application is required to be submitted for each product/Indian Standard and for each factory location.
Process for Grant of BIS Licence:
First Stage: BIS will scrutinize the application and queries, if any, will be communicated by email. Once queries are satisfactorily met and application is complete, it will be recorded.
Second Stage: Applicant will be informed to provide schedule and organize visit in consultation with the officer nominated by BIS. The visit will be paid to the factory location to carry out verification of manufacturing & testing infrastructure and withdrawal of samples for independent testing.
Third Stage: Responsibility for safe deposition of a sample(s) and remittance of testing charges shall lie with the applicant firm. The case would be processed for grant of license after receipt of satisfactory inspection report & independent test report(s) conforming to applicable Indian Standard(s).
Third Stage: Applicant would be required to pay license fee; advance minimum marking fee and any other outstanding dues, before granting of the license. Agreement & Indemnity Bond would be signed and performance bank Guarantee of USD 10000 from any bank, having RBI approved branch in India would be required to be furnished immediately after granting of the license.
Fourth Stage: Licence would be initially granted for 1 year which would be further renewable for 1 or 2 years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who will be the AIR?
The AIR shall be an Indian resident. He shall declare his consent to be responsible for compliance to the provisions of the BIS Act, Rule Regulations and Terms & Conditions laid down in BIS Licence, Agreement, Undertaking etc. by or on behalf of the foreign manufacturer or a senior person of the branch/office shall be nominated as the AIR. In case, there is no such branch/office established in India or till it is established in India, the foreign manufacturer shall nominate an AIR in the prescribed format.
Q2. Whether the test report as per IEC or any standard other than Indian Standard can be accepted?
No, test report as per relevant Indian Standard can only be accepted.
Q3. What is the timeline for grant of license?
Average time taken for grant of license is generally six (6) months from the date of receipt of complete application and its recording. It may vary for reasons like delay in response to queries raised, if any; organizing inspection(s); transportation of samples and remittance of dues, etc.
Q4. Is the payment to be made to BIS in USD or INR?
For SAARC countries, the payment can be made in Indian Rupee (INR). For other countries, the payment should be made in USD only.
Q5. Can I submit one application for different products/ISS being manufactured at the same factory location?
No, the separate application for each product/ISS is to be submitted for each factory location.
Q6. Can I submit one application for one product being manufactured at different locations?
No, the separate application for each product/ISS is to be submitted for each factory location.
Q7. Has the AIR to be an Indian resident only?
The AIR should be an Indian national & resident of India. However, he can be a foreign national is employed in any office/branch of the manufacturer in India but should be a resident of India.
Q8. For which products, the BIS license is mandatory?
BIS license is compulsory for the products under mandatory certification. For the list of products under mandatory certification.
