Pros and Cons of BIS Registration in India

The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) plays a very important role in assuring that the goods reached out to the consumers are of certain standard and are safe to be consumed. It was set up to establish the standardization of quality of the product across nation. The products which are already tested and certified for quality are accepted by the people. Therefore the products manufactured and sold are required to undergo with BIS Registration process to be duly certified by BIS.  This article will discuss about the pros and cons of BIS Registration in India.

BIS regulates the quality guidelines for the manufactured goods. Those products which are BIS Certified have distinctive credibility as compared to the products that does not have a quality certification.

What are the Pros and Cons of BIS Registration in India?

The pros and cons of BIS registration in India are as follows: –

Pros of BIS Registration

Provides authenticity to the product

Those products which are not certified cannot have the credibility or trust of the customers. They are vulnerable to poor performance and face potential health risks. On the other hand, those products which are certified by BIS leaves no complain as such products assure to deliver the high quality performance and the consumers can rely upon it easily. This is therefore, perhaps one of the most significant highlighting advantages of BIS registration in India.

Testing in Labs for quality inspection

Since, BIS works to supervise the standardization of the quality of a product, it has established labs in different parts of the country. These labs are built to test the quality of the products. The investigating officer performs an on-site inspection of the registration facilities and randomly picks up few samples and send them to the lab for testing. Once it is certified, the product shall be sent back along with the test report. It is much imperative to do this process for maintaining the quality of the product, even though the process is tedious.

Ensures uncompromised quality standards

BIS ensured the implementation of quality compliances for all the manufacturers. It is important for the entities under the BIS registration to follow proper standard for manufacturing goods. A BIS investigating officer investigate and scrutinize the premise where the production is usually carried out, through surprise visits. BIS continuously monitors the production facilities to confirm the product quality and given compliances.

Minimizing and reducing environmental risk

Some of the products certified by BIS are potentially dangerous to environment. Electronic items in particular cause severe environmental risk and health hazard. Several measures have been taken by BIS by implementing a definitive protocol for producing such items so as to prevent environmental risk. It has also prohibited the use of certain materials and chemicals under its prescribed rules and norms. Therefore, BIS plays a very important role in standardizing the quality of the product which should be safe and minimize environmental risks as well.

Cons of BIS Registration

Limited applicability scope

BIS certified products fail to get recognition at the international level. BIS still does not have the global dominance, unlike global standards and certifications. It has not received global accreditation unlike IEC and CE to be used as a benchmark of quality compliance. Therefore, a lot of input has to be made in the area of production and quality adopting aggressive and quality oriented strategies.

Costlier compliance management

For small firms it is difficult to maintain the quality of the products and under extreme economic pressure, it might become difficult for the firms to consistently produce quality products or maintain the compliance integrity. BIS registration is a bit costlier as compared to the other certifications. Even the renewal is costlier which might bother some small firms greatly.

Low Export

BIS is an authority which works to assure the quality standard products and services in India. However, most of the overseas importers do not consider BIS as a prominent authority to set the benchmark of quality for a product. They usually prefer standards like IEC and CE for importing the product.

Reasons to issue BIS Certification/BIS Registration in India

BIS works towards maintain the quality, safety and reliability of the products and government encourages those who are engaged in manufacturing, selling of the goods to issue BIS certification for the following reasons:

• BIS registration of a product assures the quality of that product.
• Safeguards the health of the public.
• Promotes confidence to the consumer.
• Protects the consumer from using any hazardous products.

Who all are required to apply for BIS registration in India?

People who are required to apply for the BIS registration in India are: –

• Under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) manufacturers of the notified products formed outside India or within India.
• BIS registration is required for separate registration of products being produced at different locations.
• BIS registration is required for each brand being produced at the same location.

BIS safeguards the health of the consumers by ensuring the standardization quality of the product to reach out to them. It is engaged in tons of activities such as setting the standards of the products, certifying it, lab testing and hallmarking^[1] it. Every consumer now opts for a product which ensures safety, quality standards by which they trust a particular brand and its products. BIS registration is important for a product. There are some pros and cons of BIS registration in India which has been discussed above in the article. Even though there are many advantages of BIS registration yet it is not recognized by the international level. For some, it is also difficult to apply for the registration process being it costlier.

Conclusion

As a policy, formulating standards for a product, activity of BIS has been harmonized with the relevant rules and guidelines as laid down by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). BIS being a signatory to the ‘Code of Good Practice for the preparation, adoption and application of standards’ has aligned its standards formulation procedure accordingly.

Also, Read: A Few Quick Tips: How to take BIS Certification in India?