Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been operating a Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) since the year 2000. Under FMCS, licence 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 licence for all products except Electronics and IT goods notified by Deity. The licence is granted by Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) located at BIS Headquarters, New Delhi. The BIS licence 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 licence 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 machineries/facilities at their factory premises.
- have all arrangements/equipments 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 licence.
Note : Separate application is required to be submitted for each product/Indian Standards 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. Visit will be paid to the factory location to carryout verification of manufacturing & testing infrastructure and drawal of samples for independent testing.
Third Stage: Responsibility for safe deposition of sample(s) and remittance of testing charges shall lie with the applicant firm. Case would be processed for grant of licence after receipt of satisfactory inspection report & independent test report(s) conforming to applicable Indian Standard(s).
Third Stage: Applicant would be required to pay licence fee; advance minimum marking fee and any other outstanding dues, before grant of licence. 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 grant of licence.
Fourth Stage: Licence would be initially granted for 1 year which would be further renewable for 1 or 2 years.