The Bureau

"The National Standards Body of India"

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India is a statutory organization
under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986.

Vision

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India, resolves to be the leader in
all matters concerning Standardization, Certification and Quality. In order to attain this, the Bureau
would strive:

· To provide efficient timely service.

· To satisfy the customers’ needs for quality of goods and services.

· To work and act in such a way that each task performed as individuals or as a corporate entity,
leads to excellence and enhances the credibility and image of the Organization.

Mission

We dedicate ourselves to achieve excellence for effective and timely implementation of the objectives
laid down in the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, and providing prompt and efficient services to all
stakeholders.

Policy

BIS is determined to carry out its activities in close cooperation with all concerned organizations and by
adopting appropriate management systems, motivating and ensuring active participation of all the
employees.

Objectives

Harmonious development of standardization, marking and quality certification

To provide new thrust to standardization and quality control

To evolve a national strategy for according recognition to standards and integrating them with growth
and development of production and exports
Overview

BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 1986 for the harmonious
development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for
matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways
- providing safe reliable quality goods; minimizing health hazards to consumers; promoting exports and
imports substitute; control over proliferation of varieties etc. through standardization, certification and
testing.

Keeping in view, the interest of consumers as well as the industry, BIS is involved in various activities as
given below:

Standards Formulation

Product Certification Scheme

Compulsory Registration Scheme

Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme

Hall Marking Scheme

Laboratory Services
Laboratory Recognition Scheme

Sale of Indian Standards

Consumer Affairs Activities

Promotional Activities

Training Services, National & International level

Information Services

BIS has its Headquarters at New Delhi and its 05 Regional Offices (ROs) are at Kolkata (Eastern), Chennai
(Southern), Mumbai (Western), Chandigarh (Northern) and Delhi (Central). Under the Regional Offices
are the Branch Offices (BOs) located at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Coimbatore,
Dehradun, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Parwanoo,
Patna, Pune, Rajkot, Raipur, Durgapur, Jamshedpur and Vishakhapatnam, which offer certification
services to the industry and serve as effective link between State Governments, industries, technical
institutions, consumer organization etc. of the respective region.

Origin of BIS

In the twilight years of British rule in India, when the country was faced with the gigantic task of building
up the industrial infrastructure, it was the Institution of Engineers (India), which prepared the first draft
of the Constitution of an Institution which could take up the task of formulation of National Standards.
This led to the Department of Industries and Supplies issuing a memorandum on 03 September 1946,
formally announcing the setting of an organization called the “Indian Standards Institution”. The Indian
Standards Institution (ISI) came into being on the 06 January 1947 and in June 1947 Dr. Lal C. Verman
took over as its first Director.
In the initial years, the organization concentrated on standardization activity. To provide the advantages
of standardization to common consumers, the Indian Standards Institution started operating the
Certification Marks Scheme under the Indian Standards Institution (Certification Marks) Act, 1952. The
Scheme, which was formally launched by ISI in 1955-56, enabled it to grant licenses to manufacturers
producing goods in conformity with Indian Standards and to apply Mark on their products. To meet
the requirements of the Certification Marks Scheme, the nucleus of a laboratory was started in 1963.
While the product certification was being operated under the Indian Standards Institution (Certification
Marks) Act, 1952, the formulation of standards and other related work were not governed by any
legislation. A Bill with this objective was therefore introduced in the Parliament of 26 Nov 1986.

Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) came into existence, through an act of parliament dated 26
November 1986, on 1 April 1987, with a broadened scope and more powers taking over the staff, assets,
liabilities and functions of erstwhile ISI. Through this change over, the government envisaged building a
climate for quality culture and consciousness and greater participation of consumers in formulation and
implementation of national standards.

The Bureau is a Body Corporate consisting of 25 members representing both Central and State
governments, Members of Parliament, industry, scientific and research institutions, consumer
organizations and professional bodies; with Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution as its President and with Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution as its Vice-President.

Standard Formulation

The erstwhile Indian Standards Institution (ISI) was established in year 1947 (now Bureau of Indian
Standards) with the objective of harmonious development of standardization activity in India. Under
the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986, Bureau establishes Indian Standards in relation to any article
or process and amends, revises or cancels the standards so established as may be necessary, by a
process of consultation involving consumers, manufacturers, Government and regulatory bodies,
technologists, scientists and testing laboratories through duly constituted committees.

For formulation of Indian Standards, BIS functions through the Technical Committee structure
comprising of Sectional Committees, Subcommittees and Panels set up for dealing with specific group of
subjects under respective Division Councils. The committee structure of BIS seeks to bring together all
those with substantial interest in particular project, so that standards are developed keeping in view
national interests and after taking into account all significant view points through a process of
consultation. Decisions in BIS technical committees are reached through consensus. As a policy, the
standards formulation activity of BIS has been harmonized as far as possible with the relevant 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 (Article 4 of WTO-TBT
Agreement, Annex 3)' has also accordingly aligned its standards formulation procedure.

There are 14 Division Councils and over 650 Technical Committees that have so far developed over
19000 Indian Standards. Over 350 new and revised standards are being formulated each year by BIS.

Product Certification

The Product Certification Scheme of BIS aims at providing Third Party Guarantee of quality, safety and
reliability of products to the customer. Presence of ISI certification mark, known as Standard Mark, on a
product is an assurance of conformity to the specifications. The conformity is ensured by regular
surveillance of the licensee's performance by surprise inspections and testing of samples, drawn both
from the market and factory. The manufacturer is permitted to self-certify the licensed products after
ascertaining its conformity to the Standard. Through its surveillance operations, the Bureau maintains a
close vigil on the quality of certified goods. The certification scheme operates through a network of 34
Branch Offices set up in State capitals or major industrial towns and 5 Regional Offices overseeing the
work of the Branch offices.

Although, the scheme itself is voluntary in nature, the Government of India, on considerations of public
health and safety, security, infrastructure requirements and mass consumption has enforced mandatory
certification on various products through Orders issued from time to time under various Acts. While BIS
continues to grant licenses on application, the enforcement of compulsory certification is done by the
notified authorities.

Under separate arrangements with Statutory agencies, some products have been placed under special
certification schemes of lot or batch inspection carried out by BIS Inspecting officers. A majority of gas
cylinders, regulators and valves are certified through such schemes.
In order to safeguard the interest of consumers against spurious marking/misuse of ISI mark, penal
provision exists in BIS Act 1986 under section 33(1), as per which any person who contravenes the
provisions of Section 11, Section 12, Section 14 or Section 15 shall be punishable with imprisonment for
a term which may extend up to one year or with a fine which may extend up to Rest. 50,000 or with
both.

Standard Formulation 2

Standardization is the process of formulating and applying rules for an orderly approach to a specific
activity for the benefit and with the cooperation of all concerned, and in particular for the promotion of
optimum overall economy taking due account of functional conditions and safety requirements. It is
based on the consolidated results of science, technique and experience.

Under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986, Bureau establishes Indian Standards in relation to any
article or process and amends, revises or cancels the standards so established as may be necessary, by a
process of consultation involving consumers, manufacturers, Government and regulatory bodies,
technologists, scientists and testing laboratories through duly constituted committees of the Bureau.

For formulation of Indian Standards, BIS functions through the Technical Committee structure
comprising of Division Councils, Sectional Committees, Subcommittees and Panels. Division Councils are
set up by Standards Advisory Committee (SAC) in defined areas of industries and technologies for
formulation of standards. These include representatives of various interests such as consumers,
regulatory and other Government bodies, industry, scientists, technologists, testing organizations and
consultants. BIS officer is the Member Secretary of the Division Council. The Division Councils Setup
Sectional Committees within their areas, define their scopes, appoint their Chairmen and members and
coordinate their activities.

There are 14 Division Councils and over 650 Technical Committees that have so far developed over
19000 Indian Standards. Over 350 new and revised standards are being formulated each year by BIS.
Indian Standards formulated by BIS cover various aspects such as product standards (specifications),
methods of test, codes of practice, guides, recommendations, terminology, dimensions, symbols etc.
The committee structure of BIS seeks to bring together all those with substantial interest in particular
project, so that standards are developed keeping in view national interests and after taking into account
all significant view points through a process of consultation. Decisions in BIS technical committees are
reached through consensus. As a policy, the standards formulation activity of BIS has been harmonized
as far as possible with the relevant 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 (Article 4 of WTO-TBT Agreement, Annex 3)' has also accordingly aligned its
standards formulation procedure.

PRODUCT CERTIFICATION SCHEMES

1. Domestic Manufacturers Certification Scheme

Normal Procedure

Simplified Procedure

2. Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme

3. ECO Mark Scheme

1. Domestic Manufacturers Certification Scheme - The applicant has the option to choose any of the
following two procedures for grant of BIS license:
Normal Procedure The applicant is required to submit the filled in application along with required
documents and requisite fee to the Branch Office under whose jurisdiction the manufacturing unit is
located. Subsequently, after recording of the application, a preliminary factory evaluation is carried out
by BIS officer to ascertain the capability of the applicant/manufacturer to produce goods according to
the relevant Indian Standard and to verify the availability of complete testing facility and competent
technical personnel. Samples are tested in the factory and also drawn for independent testing. Grant of
license is considered by BIS provided the samples pass during independent testing, preliminary
evaluation is satisfactory and the applicant agrees to operate the defined Scheme of Testing &
Inspection and pay the prescribed marking fee. By this procedure, the license is expected to be granted
within 4 months of recording of application by BIS and 6 months in case of all India first license for a
product. more.

Simplified Procedure - In this procedure, the applicant is required to submit test report(s) from specified
laboratories along with the application. Grant of license is considered provided the verification visit is
found to be satisfactory and the applicant agrees to implement the defined scheme of testing and
inspection and pay the prescribed marking fee. Sample(s) is (are) drawn during the verification visit for
independent testing, but the conformity of this sample does not form a pre-condition for grant of
license. However, the test result is used for review purpose. more.

2. Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme - Overseas applicants/foreign manufacturers are granted

license for the use of ISI mark under separately designed scheme within 6 months’ period. more.

3. ECO Mark Scheme - Besides the normal product certification scheme, BIS also grants licenses to
environment friendly products under a special scheme and awards the ECO MARK to such products.
These products should conform to additional requirements specified in the Indian Standards to qualify.
The procedure for grant of license is same as that of Domestic Manufacturers. more.

Consumer Protection

The Bureau of Indian Standards has a full-fledged Consumer Affairs Department functioning at its HQ in
New Delhi with Public Grievance Officers at all its Regional and Branch Offices to provide consumers
with prompt attention and speedy redressal of their grievances.

Complaint regarding a BIS certified products under various schemes/Services can be lodged in the
following manner:
 - Through Online Complaint Registration on BIS website at www.bis.org.in or mobile application or
by email at complaints@bis.gov.in

- personally contacting/writing to Public Grievance officer of the nearest Regional/ Branch office of
BIS or directly to the Head (Consumer Affairs Department)

The complainant can complain on the following:

a) Regarding quality of BIS certified product.

b) Regarding products under Registration Scheme.

c) Regarding Hallmarked products.

d) Regarding services of BIS such as Sales, Library, Technical Information Services and General
Services etc.

e) Regarding activities of BIS such as Standard Formulation, Product and Management Systems
Certification, Laboratory testing etc.

f) Regarding unauthorized use of BIS Standard Mark by licensees/applicants/others.

g) Regarding irregularities in operation and misuse of license by BIS licensees.

h) Regarding false/misleading advertisements and claims by licensees/applicants/non-licensees.

i) Regarding delays in grant/renewal of licenses and delays in inclusion of additional varieties.

j) About BIS officers and employees regarding services rendered by them.

k) Indicate the name/type/size/grade of the product, source and date of purchase and batch no. in the
complaint and also specify the nature of complaint.

l) Preserve the cash memo in case it is available.

m) Keep the product complained about and its packing in safe custody till the visit of an inspecting
officer of the Bureau of Indian Standards.

For further details please contact:

Head (Consumer Affairs Department),

Bureau of Indian Standards,

Room No. 560, Mankalaya,

9, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,

New Delhi-110002.

Email: cad@bis.gov.in

Telefax: 011 23235609