ISI Registration Process

Introduction

ISI mark is a mark which is authorised by the Bureau of Indian standards(BIS)to manufacturers , which they use on their product. This is a mark for industrial products and has been in use since 1955. The bureau has set minimum level of standard which a manufacturer needs to maintain in order to use or obtain this mark. The mark certifies that the product having this mark is in conformity with the minimum level of standards set by BIS. This marks being in existence since 1955 is by far one of the most recognizable marks which a consumer can identify for quality of the product. ISI mark stands for Indian standards Institute, and this was the former name of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

ISI mark is mandatory on certain products like automotive parts (including tyres), cement, kitchen appliances, electrical appliances, LPG cylinders and valves, heaters (geysers), batteries, steel products and stainless steel products etc. But for other products it is Upto the manufacturer to use this mark or not but it does add advantage as consumer is then aware that the product conforms to minimum standards set by BIS.

Benefits of ISI mark –

• ISI mark gives confidence to the consumer that the product conforms to minimum standards, thus more confidence results into more sales.
• ISI mark being in existence since 1955 is easily recognizable by the customers.
• If customer is not satisfied with the product, the manufacturer selling the goods will have to exchange the product and give a new one.
• The mark signifies to the consumer that it is of superior quality than the other products which are not ISI marked.
• There are now many stores and online portal which make it mandatory for manufacturers to sell only ISI marked products through their platform.
• Increase in confidence and quality assurance of the customer leads to better sales and increase in profits.

Where can ISI registration be done?

BIS (Bureau of Indian standards) is the nodal agency set up by the government of India to deal with industrial product standards and quality under BIS act, 2016. ISI mark licence is granted by BIS.

Step wise ISI mark registration process –

The guidelines mentioned have to be read along with the BIS act, BIS rules 2018 and BIS conformity regulations. The general principles which the bureau checks while granting ISI mark are –

• Manufacturing infrastructure in place
• Production process followed 
• Quality control measures followed by the manufacturer
• Testing capabilities of manufacturer

The bureau confirms the standards of the product by testing the product through a third party laboratory or by testing the product in the manufacturing premises (Factory testing) which depends on the product.

There are two procedures available to the applicant to register ISI mark both have discussed in detail -

Procedure no. 1

• The applicant may apply to the bureau by filling form no. 5 along with the relevant documents to be annexed with the form.
• The form is then scrutinized by officials who then proceed to the next step if the form and documents are complete.
• Once documents are scrutinized a visit will be made by an official who will assess the manufacturing infrastructure, production process to be followed, quality control measures and testing capabilities and a sample will be taken out of the products which will be tested in a third party laboratory recognized by BIS.
• Factory visit shall be for one day in case of local manufacturer and two days for foreign manufacturer.
• If the manufacturing industry falls in Annexure -1 category then samples may not be drawn and factory testing will be done.
• In case of a new product which is not in Annexure-1, then also factory testing will done for such new product.

Procedure no.2

• For procedure two - the applicant shall submit the relevant documents, sample product report of raw material tested from a third party lab.
• Factory visit shall be for one day in case of local manufacturer and two days for foreign manufacturer.
• An official designated by BIS will make a visit to the factory and check manufacturing infrastructure, quality control measures and production process.
• If the applicant wants to exercise this procedure then the applicant first has to register on the IT software where a unique code will be generated. The code will be submitted to the third party testing lab along with the samples. A receipt will be given by the laboratory which has to be uploaded on the IT software. 
• A latest test report has to be submitted and the test report shall not be before 90 days from the date of submission.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit complete test report and documents which conform to the Indian standards set by BIS.
• An undertaking also hast to be given stating that the manufacturer conforms to the standards set by BIS.

Documents to be submitted while applying for ISI mark –

• Registration certificate granted by Registrar of companies.
• Details and copy of sale/lease deed or rent deed of the land on which manufacturing site is established.
• A copy of insurance policy.
• Water and electricity registration certificate.
• A copy of Aadhar card and Pan Card of directors.
• The sample test report of, tested from a BIS laboratory or a lab recognised by BIS. The report should not be before 90 days at the time of submission.
• List of manufacturing machines.
• Detailed procedure of manufacturing of products.
• Details of quality control measures.
• Layout or site plan of the manufacturing site.
• Certificate of bank statement signed by Chartered accountant.

Reasons for rejection of ISI mark –

There are certain conditions which if not complied with the bureau rejects ISI mark application, some reason mentioned by the bureau on its web portal are as follows –

• After submitting application if the samples  are not submitted for testing
• The samples drawn for testing fail the test.
• If there not enough or lack of facilities for testing by manufacturer
• If there not enough technical personnel with the manufacturer.
• The firm has not cleared financial dues of BIS.
• The firm has not submitted correct documents, incomplete documents or tampered with documents submitted.
• The applicant or the firm is indulging in unethical practice.
• If there is a major deviation in the manufacturing facility from the declared or visited (BIS official) facility.
• If there is a failure on the part of manufacturer to provide assistance to visiting official during factory visit.
• If there is non-conformity in factory testing of sample product during the second visit.

Before rejecting the application the bureau will give a 21 day notice to the applicant and the applicant shall be heard in person or through a representative, if the reason given by the applicant are not satisfactory then the application will rejected by the bureau.

Time period for grant ISI mark-

If all documents are complete and test lab reports are submitted then it usually takes 30 to 40 days to get an ISI Mark.