BIS Certificate | How to Get BIS Certified? Who Can Apply? Application and Auditing Process

BIS Certificate: What is a BIS Certificate? BIS is an abbreviation of Bureau of Indian Standards, a National Standards Body of India which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India. BIS Certification essentially ensures a third party guarantee on the safety, quality, reliability of the products sold to the consumer.

Who Can Apply for a BIS Certificate?

Organisations that are engaged in manufacturing, assembly, or service, having legal entities in India or abroad can apply for a BIS Certification.

You can find more about certificates, explore the types used for academic purposes, professional purposes and more.

What Are the Types of System Available for Certification?

The following are the various Systems under Certification:

• Adventure Tourism Safety Management System as per IS / ISO 21101:2014
• Educational Organisations Management System (EOMS)
• Energy Management System – IS/ISO 50001
• Environmental Management System – IS/ISO 14001
• Food Safety Audits (FSSAI Recognised)
• Food Safety Management System – IS/ISO 22000
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)- IS 15000
• Integrated Milk Certification Scheme for Packaged Pasteurised Milk as per IS:13688 along with ISO:22000
• IS 23485 Medical Devices – Quality Management System requirements and Essential Principles of Safety & Performance for Medical Devices
• IS/ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management Systems
• IS/ISO 37001:2016 Anti Bribery Management System
• Medical Device Management System – IS/ISO 13485
• Occupational Health & Safety Management System – IS 18001 & IS/ISO:450001
• Quality Management System – IS/ISO 9001
• Ready Mixed Concrete Certification Scheme as per ISO:9001 along with IS:4926
• Road Traffic Safety Management System Certification Scheme as per IS/ISO 39001
• Service Quality Management System – IS 15700
• Social Accountability at Workplace – IS/ISO 16001

BIS Certification Application Process

The process for acquiring a BIS Certification is as follows:

• The applicant must download the application form for their required certification from the official BIS website: bis.gov.in
• Alternatively, applicants can request the application forms at the concerned Regional Office.
• They will have to fill Form IV and a questionnaire that pertains to their selected standards and systems (Example: IS / ISO 9001 and QMS).
• Once the applicant sends the application, it will be subjected to scrutiny and multiple stages of audit (depending on the applicant and their case)
• The auditing team can either: Reject the application as its requisites and other variables in the application form may be unsatisfactory.  OR if the application and other related variables are found to be satisfactory, then the audit team will recommend the award of the certification for the applicant.
• Please note, a fee is payable at the time of submitting the application. The exact amount of the fee will be intimated by the BIS and can vary depending on the man-days (for experts and auditors). Failure to include the fee along with the application can lead to the rejection of the application.
• Alternatively, BIS also has the right to reject the application if:
  • The application form is incomplete
  • Ambiguous or incomplete annexes to the application form

BIS Certificate Auditing Process

An audit will have to be carried out by BIS for granting certification. There are a total of 2 stages in the auditing process:

Stage 1 – Audit

In this stage, the quality manual will be thoroughly examined by the auditors from BIS and checks if it conforms to the relevant standards. If the auditors find any deviation from the set standards, they will be intimated to the applicant. The auditors will also visit the premises of the applicant’s business in person and conduct site-specific audits. Post the stage 1 audit, a formal report will be sent to the applicant and they will have to correct or make any necessary changes (if present).

Stage 2 – Audit

The applicant will have to pay an assessment fee in advance and the estimate will be intimated by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The auditors will carry out the Initial (Certification) Audit, whereby they will scrutinize and evaluate if the organisation’s management system complies with the standards established by the BIS. The Initial (Certification) Audit comprise of the following stages:

• Opening the meeting
• Conducting the audit
• Dealing with non-conformities
• Closing the meeting

BIS Certification – Granting the License and Surveillance

If the audit team finds the applicant conforms to the standards set by the BIS, then the applicant will be granted a license. Please note, the validity of the license is a period of three years from the date of issue. Furthermore, the BIS would nominate auditors to oversee and survey the implementation as well as the maintenance of the Management System. In case the auditors are not allowed to inspect or survey as required, then the certification/license is liable to be suspended by the BIS. The license can also be suspended if the auditor finds significant changes that do not conform to the prescribed standards set by the BIS.

The applicant is also required to give the below undertaking;

FAQ’s on BIS Certification

Question 1.
What is a BIS Certificate?

Answer:
A BIS Certification is a certification or a license that is granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards. It ensures a third-party guarantee of the safety, quality, reliability of the products sold to the consumer.

Question 2.
Can I apply for a BIS Certificate?

Answer:
A BIS Certificate is valid for organisations that deal with assembly, manufacturing,  service, or having legal entities in India or abroad.

Question 3.
How do I apply for a BIS Certificate?

Answer:
Candidates can access the BIS application form from the official BIS website (https://bis.gov.in/index.php/system-certification-overview/download-approach-forms/). Alternatively, they can request for an application form at the concerned Regional Office of the BIS.

Question 4.
What is the validity of the certificate?

Answer:
The BIS certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

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