An Overview on STQC Certification

In order to provide quality assurance services through a network of laboratories and centres for IT and Electronics, Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) was founded in 1980. The organisation's goal is to provide customer-centric and recognised quality assurance services based on international standards to ensure widespread acceptance. 

Simply said, STQC improves the procedures and competitiveness of the electronics and IT industry to deliver goods and services that meet worldwide standards.

The services offered by STQC include testing, calibration, IT and e-governance, training, and certification. These services are accredited and recognised on a national or international level for testing and calibration.

Additionally, STQC has been acknowledged as the Core Assurance Service Provider in India's IT and Electronics Sector and is represented in all important national forums, including the Quality Council of India (QCI), the National Accreditation Board For Test and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), and the leading trade organisations.

The main goal of standard testing and quality certification is to ensure that services are provided that are accredited on a national and international level and that the necessary calibrations and testing are recognised.

• Services for testing.
• Telecommunication Services.
• E-government services and information technology.
• Training Services.
• Services for accreditation.

Purpose of STQC

The following is the primary goal of the Standard Testing and Quality Certification:

1. Help the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in its main initiatives by assessing the quality and security of its information technology (IT) frameworks and other projects that are generally important, such 

• E-government.
• E-learning.
• E-consideration.
• E-security.
• Internet Regulation.
• E-advancement.
• Development and research.

2. to establish oneself as a key participant in the Public Estimation Confirmation Framework in order to move via testing and calibration facilities
3. creating structures, principles, or standards for new fields or innovations.
4. Increasing the limit contributes to the development of the electronics and information technology (IT) industries.
5. Standard Testing and Quality Certification also offers Certification Administrations to the Information Technology (IT) and Electronics products and services for global uniformity.
6. assisting consistently with the sufficiency and efficiency of Standard Testing and Quality Certification Procedures.

Benefits of the STQC Certification

The benefits of issuing a STQC Certifications include the ones listed below-

• An increase in the company name's marketing.
• Benefits for the market's standing in terms of increased competitiveness.
• Decrease in warranty claims and responsibility due to fewer defective goods.
• Updated, thorough records in the event of any legal proceedings.
• There is less of a need for many second part assessments.
• Traceability of the identification in the event that any violations or unlawful behaviour takes place.
• Verification that is impartial and independent.
• List of professional information.
• The expansion of the consumer base.
• Reduction in the frequency of mistakes and one-time fixes.
• Clear guidelines for the duties associated with a certain authorization.
• Benefits that are specific to the granting of STQCCertificates that are applicable

What is the STQC Certification Process?

Following is the STQC Certification process:

Safety Certification Program. (S Mark)

What is the Safety Certification Scheme (S Mark)?

It is a third-party certification programme created for the electronic industry with the goal of delivering the right level of confidence through system evaluation, product testing, and surveillance.

Advantages of Safety Certification Program

• Obtaining international safety standards like VDE, UL, and others is not difficult.
• Enhance the product's degree of safety and quality.
• Give a nod in order to improve your ability to export.
• Gives advantages over rivals in the domestic or international market.
• A method for the Indian Safety Mark (S-mark) to be issued without the need for product testing (if the request is based on the review and acceptance of the IECEE-CB report and certificate).

Safety Certification Process

• Create a quality system that is documented and complies with ISO 6001 requirements and recognised product standards.
• Completely submit the application along with the application fee, product information or a brochure, paperwork for the quality system, a certification agreement, and a factory questionnaire.
• A thorough report that reflects the flaws will be created after reviewing the submitted materials.
• When that, test samples will be sealed for testing in a designated laboratory after a factory inspection has been completed.
• A certificate of approval or registration will be granted if the test report and factory inspection are satisfied.

Certification with IECEE-CB

IECEE-CB Certification: What Is It?

The International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC) standards serve as the foundation for this multinational certification system. The IECEE-CB programme, which is often part of IEC, ensures conformity testing and certification of electro-technical equipment and components.

Advantages of IECEE-CB Certification

• Ensures that the product will be accepted by all Member nations without the need for additional testing.
• Give your company a competitive edge in regional or international marketplaces.
• Raise the bar for product quality and safety.
• Provide national test results from participating nations without requiring any further or limited testing.
• Reciprocal acknowledgment enhances export capacity.

IECEE-CB Certification Procedure

• An individual must set up a documentation quality system that complies with ISO 9001 requirements, including the standards that apply to the product, in order to receive the STQC certification.
• Completely submit the application along with the application fee, product information or a brochure, paperwork for the quality system, a certification agreement, and a factory questionnaire.
• The STQC certification services will analyse the application and create a thorough report that details the issues (which needs to be rectified before assessment).
• Following that, a factory inspection will be performed to determine whether or not the assessment requirements have been met. Additionally, samples will be packaged for lab testing during factory inspection.
• It will be possible to receive STQC certification if the test report is satisfactory.

NOTE: The STQC certification will only be given out if the necessary remedial actions have been taken to address any non-conformances that were discovered during factory inspection and product testing.

Testing and Certification for Smart Cards

What is a Scheme for Smart Card Testing and Certification? 

The Ministry of Transport created a complete programme in collaboration with NIC (National Informatics Centers) that is mostly utilised for driving licences, electronic passports, and other documents.

Benefits of Smart Card Certification and Testing

• Observe the ISO 7816 command specifications set forth in the soft and hard mask.
• Smart card interoperability with software programmes.

Process for Testing and Certifying Smart Cards

• Properly submit the application with all necessary details.
• A test programme that will be used to evaluate product samples to make sure they adhere to SCOSTA or SCOSTA-CL specifications and are functional. Engineers that specialise in testing will evaluate the product independently.
• Technical evaluation is followed by a review of the testing report and, if necessary, communication of any problems for correction.
• If all the requirements are completed, STQC certification will finally be awarded.

Biometric Device Approval

What is certification for biometric devices?

Its primary goal is to provide quality-assessed authentication or enrollment biometric devices, including QR Code scanning devices for offline authentication, as well as devices that have complied with UIDAI requirements and are safe, dependable, and secure.

Benefits of Certification for Biometric Devices

• Access to biometric equipment that complies with UIDAI technical requirements.
• To facilitate device deployment and utilisation, supply the relevant systems and resources.

Process for Certifying Biometric Devices (Authentication)

• To reassure the Certification Body on the Device's Quality, a Technical Construction File (TCF) will be created.
• File the BDCS (A)-03-05 application properly, together with a copy of the TCF, and pay the fee in accordance with the fee schedule.
• TCF will initially be assessed by the Certification Body, and only if TCF is satisfactory will a Certification Agreement be signed.
• The Biometric Device Test Lab will get biometric devices, an image quality test kit, and a copy of TCF (BDTL).
• The lab administrators will submit a Service Request Form (SRF) together with the payment of the test fees.
• The Probable Date of Completion will be provided by BDTL (PDC).
• BDTL Head will be informed by the Certification Body or STQC to continue the testing in accordance with the Standard Test Plan.
• Finally, TCF will be thoroughly examined, and if everything—including the testing—is satisfactory, a Provisional Certificate will be given.

UIDAI's process for certifying biometric devices (including enrollment tools, pre-certified hardware, and QR code scanners)

• A TCF will be created in accordance with the standard, together with the solution architecture document (if necessary).
• The application will be submitted with TCF that must at the very least contain the artefacts listed in the relevant UIDAI standards as well as any necessary supporting records.
• According to the plan, the Certification Body will supply an application number, which will be shared with the BDTL or Test laboratory as well.
• A product sample and related fees will be submitted in accordance with the assigned application number.
• The device will next be assessed by the Test Laboratory using the submitted TCF and other used standards. Vendors would also be obligated to offer the necessary support as and when called for by the Laboratory or BDTL.
• A Test Laboratory will submit the TCF review report and a digitally signed soft copy of the Final Test Report to the Certification Body.
• An auditor will be chosen by the Certification Body to inspect the device facilities. Additionally, the auditors will create an audit report, which they will send to the lab so that it can be given to the company that makes the devices.
• A device provider would be required to take the closure action specified in the lab's final Test Report, which will be submitted by the laboratory.
• A certification checklist will be created based on the report that is submitted to the certification body, and a certification committee meeting may be held as directed by the head of the certification body.
• Only if the test was done in accordance with the UIDAI specifications and the verified papers met the UIDAI requirements would a certificate be granted.

Following is the product Nomenclature under Biometric Device Certification:

1. Finger Print Scanner
2. QR Code Scanner
3. Single Chip Micro-Controller with Integrated Secure Element
4. Auth IRIS Capability Approval Certificate
5. Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) and more.

Different Certification Programs

The types of certification schemes offered by Standard Testing and Quality Certification from the aforementioned categories are as follows:

Certification of the Quality Management System (QMS) to ISO 9001

The Management System Certification Scheme includes the ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification. The International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, is the full name of the organisation, which currently includes national standard bodies from 91 different countries worldwide. The main goal of this certification programme, which is a sort of quality management standard, is the creation of international standards in connection with the expansion of the worldwide trade in goods and services.

System for Certifying Product Safety in accordance with IEC Standards

The Product Safety Certification Scheme, also known as the S Mark Certification, is a type of Third-Party Certification Scheme for the Information Technology (IT) and Electronics Industry Sector that is promoted by the STQC Services, Standardization Testing and Quality Certification Directorate, Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government. It is granted in accordance with the International Electro-Technical Commission and falls under the Product Certification Scheme Category. The Product Certification Schemes Category includes this Certification. The main goal of the plan is to offer a reasonable level of confidence by regularly conducting system assessments, product testing, and enough surveillance while adhering to the stringent specifications outlined by the IEC.

Certification for a quality website

The Management System, Product Certification (Information Technology & E-Governance) Category includes the Website Quality Certification. This Certification is given in accordance with the established National and International Standards, which are intended to help with website quality improvement and provide confidence that the data presented on the website is accurate. A website is given a Certified Quality Website Mark, also known as CWQ Mark, provided the established National and International Standards are met in compliance with the GIGW and the organisation's rules.

How can Swarit be of assistance?

Swarit Works with you to satisfy all of your necessary legal and financial obligations by offering support. SwaritConnects you with subject-matter specialists. Because we place a strong emphasis on making complex legal issues simple to understand, Swaritclients who seek our assistance consistently respond favourably to the legal services we offer. We are committed to regularly giving our customers the organised, engaging rundowns they require.

Frequently Asked Questions