BIS ISI vs CRS Certification: Understanding the Key Differences

Introduction

In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) plays an important role in maintaining the quality and safety of products being sold in the market. It introduces different types of BIS Certification schemes to ensure that notified products meet the applicable Indian Standards.

Among BIS's various schemes, ISI Mark Certification and BIS CRS Registration are two commonly required product compliance certifications. However, businesses often get confused about which certification applies to their products.

Understanding the difference between the two certifications is important for manufacturers who import or sell the notified products in India. In this blog, we explain both schemes, their requirements, and their major differences.

What is BIS ISI Certification?

BIS ISI Certification is a mandatory product certification scheme for various products listed under the BIS ISI applicable product checklist. It allows manufacturers to use the ISI Mark on the notified products that meet the requirements of the relevant Indian Standard.

Manufacturers must obtain the required BIS ISI license before selling or importing the notified products in the Indian market.

It mainly covers products related to consumer safety, construction, electrical equipment, and industrial applications.

Products Covered Under ISI Certification

Here are the notified products covered under the ISI Certification Scheme:

• Cement and steel products
• Plywood
• Electrical cables and wires
• Pressure cookers
• LPG cylinders
• Packaged drinking water
• Helmets
• Footwear
• Household electrical appliances

Moreover, manufacturers should first check the products' eligibility for BIS ISI certification. This results in fewer delays and faster certification approvals. 

Features of BIS ISI Certification

• Factory Assessment: To obtain BIS Certification, the officials inspect the manufacturing unit of the manufacturers to check production facilities, machinery, and quality control arrangements.
• Testing Products at BIS-accredited labs: Some samples of the products are tested at labs recognized by BIS to verify compliance with the applicable Indian Standard.
• Maintain Quality Control: Businesses must maintain proper quality control and testing facilities.
• ISI Mark: The certified products must carry the ISI Mark along with the relevant IS number and CM/L license number.

What is BIS CRS Registration?

BIS CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) is a mandatory certification registration for the notified electronic and IT products covered in the applicable CRS product list for import or sale in India.

Under this registration, eligible manufacturers must get their notified products tested in a BIS-recognised laboratory and register them with BIS before selling them in India. It generally follows a product-testing and registration-based process without a factory inspection before registration.

Products Covered Under CRS Registration

The following are the common electronic products covered under the CRS scheme:

• Mobile phones
• Laptops and tablets
• LED lights
• Power banks
• CCTV cameras
• Smart watches
• Bluetooth speakers
• LED televisions
• UPS and inverters
• Power adapters

Note: Manufacturers must verify the eligibility of the notified electronic and IT products for CRS registration before obtaining registration.

Features of BIS CRS Registration

• Testing at BIS-recognised labs: The notified product samples are tested in a BIS-recognised laboratory as per the applicable Indian Standard.
• No Factory Inspection: There is no requirement for factory inspection for CRS registration.
• R-Number: The notified electronic products must carry the applicable Mark and registration number.
• Market Surveillance: BIS officials may conduct market surveillance and test products to check continued compliance.

BIS ISI v/s BIS CRS Registration - What are the Major Differences?

The following table explains the major differences:

Standards Marking for the ISI Mark and CRS Registration

Identifying the difference between these two schemes helps you understand the product marking requirements.

ISI Mark Certification

The marking generally includes:

• ISI Standard Mark
• Relevant Indian Standard number
• CM/L license number

The CM/L number helps identify the BIS license granted to the manufacturer for the approved product.

BIS CRS Marking

The marking generally includes:

• BIS Standard Mark
• Relevant Indian Standard number
• R-number

The R-number identifies the BIS registration granted for the product.

Therefore, manufacturers must follow the applicable BIS marking guidelines before selling their products in India.

What is the Process for Getting BIS Certification?

The certification process involves checking the manufacturing facilities, product quality, and testing arrangements. Here is the difference between the two scheme:

BIS ISI Certification

Here are the general steps explained:

• Identify the Applicable Indian Standard
• Prepare the Required Documents
• Submit the Application
• Factory Unit Inspection
• Product Testing
• Grant of BIS license

BIS CRS Registration

The following are the general steps involved in the process:

• Identify the Applicable Indian Standard
• Prepare the Required Documents
• Submit the Online Application
• Product Testing at BIS-Recognised Labs
• Grant of CRS Registration

How to Download BIS Certification Online?

If you want to download the two BIS Certification online, then also the process differs. Check the process to download BIS Certification online here:

BIS ISI Certification Online Process (Manak Online)

Manufacturers can download the ISI certification online through Manak Online. Here are the steps that should be followed: 

1. Visit the Official Portal
2. Log in to Your Account
3. Navigate to the ‘Dashboard’
4. Locate Your License Number
5. Click on ‘Download Certificate’
6. Save the Certificate

BIS CRS Registration Online Process (BIS Care App)

Unlike ISI certification, the online download of BIS CRS Registration is from BIS Care App. Check out the steps to be followed:

1. Download the BIS Care App
2. Open the App and Go to 'Licensed Products'
3. Search for Your License (R-number)
4. Download or View Certificate

Different Documents Required for BIS ISI and CRS Certification

The documents required depend on the product, manufacturing location, and applicable BIS scheme. However, some commonly required documents are listed below.

Documents Required for BIS ISI Certification

Have a look at the documents required for BIS ISI Certification:

• Legal address proofs of the factories
• Product specification
• Details of raw material, machinery, and testing equipment
• Details of QC Staff and other basic details of the factory
• Lab test reports of the product
• Main Application Form V
• ISI Application Fee
• Appointment of AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) in case you are a foreign manufacturer

Documents Required for BIS CRS Registration

Check the documents required for BIS CRS Registration in India:

• Trademark/ Brand Registration Certificate
• Factory address proof
• Lab test reports of the product
• PCB layouts & Critical Component Lists (CCL) (Download the CCL Format)
• Product user manual
• Appointment of AIR (Authorized Indian Representative) in case you are a foreign manufacturer

Moreover, Foreign manufacturers need to submit additional documents and appoint an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR), as applicable under the relevant BIS scheme.

What is the Validity of ISI and CRS Certification?

These schemes require manufacturers to maintain compliance after approval. However, their validity and renewal requirements are different.

BIS ISI license

• BIS generally grants an initial license for a period of 1 year.
• Manufacturers need to apply for renewal through the submission of required documents and fees within 90 days before the completion of the 1-year validity period. No factory audit will be required for the renewal process.

BIS CRS Registration

• BIS CRS registration is subject to the validity period of 5 years as specified under the applicable BIS provisions.
• There is a need to pay fees annually in spite of the 5-year validity.
• The license shall be renewed for 5 years, with annual fees payable in advance along with production details. A 90-day renewal period with a late fee shall apply as per BIS provisions.
• If it fails to renew, the license may be cancelled or expire under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, as amended. 

Therefore, manufacturers should always check the current BIS notifications or guidelines to know the validity mentioned in their license.

What are the Testing Requirements for BIS Certifications?

BIS ISI and BIS CRS Certification have different testing requirements. Have a look at what testing requirements are there for both certification:. 

ISI Mark Registration

• These have extensive testing
• It includes factory unit assessment
• There can be ongoing test required after getting license 

BIS CRS Registration

• These mainly require laboratory test reports
• These have less and simple documentation requirement 

What is the Timeline of the Certifications?

The timeline to get the BIS certification under both schemes varies. Have a look at the standard timeline to know how much time the certification approval takes. 

BIS ISI Certification 

For an Indian Manufacturer 

• It takes approximately 20 working days for the simplified procedure (if applicable).
• It takes approximately 40 working days for the normal procedure. 

For Foreign Manufacturer 

• It takes approximately 6 months, subject to BIS Technical discretion. 

BIS CRS Registration 

• For primary lead models: 25-30 working days
• For subsequent lead models: 15-20 working days 

Costing of the Certifications 

Here is the breakdown of the costs involved in both BIS ISI Certification and BIS CRS Registration:

BIS ISI Certification

BIS CRS Registration

What Happens if Notified Products Are Sold Without BIS Certification?

Selling the notified or covered products without the required ISI certification or CRS registration creates legal compliance issues for manufacturers, importers, and other eligible sellers.

The following are the risks related to non-compliance:

• Restrictions on importing or selling the product.
• Seizure of non-compliant products.
• Imprisonment and other legal action.
• No customs clearance for imports.
• Suspension or cancellation of an existing BIS license or registration, where applicable.
• Business financial loss

Therefore, manufacturers and importers must identify the correct BIS certification scheme and complete the required certification before importing or selling the notified products in the Indian market.

Other Certifications Required for Notified BIS Products

The Bureau of Indian Standards has provided an applicable product checklist that needs mandatory BIS Certification Compliance. 

However, the notified products under BIS product list can require other mandatory certifications like electrical appliances under CRS can require compliance with BEE Certification as well. Similarly, TEC, WPC, and EPR certifications must also be obtained for the products falling under multi-certification requirement. 

You can connect with Brand Liaison, a reputed product compliance consultancy firm to get these certifications smoothly and sell the products confidently in the Indian market. 

Note: If an electrical product is eligible for BIS ISI Certification, then it cannot obtain BIS CRS Registration. Only one of the certifications is mandatory to obtain in India.

Conclusion

Both BIS ISI Certification and BIS CRS Registration are two different BIS schemes introduced to ensure that notified products meet the applicable Indian Standards.

While ISI Mark registration mainly covers products that require manufacturing facility assessment, CRS Registration primarily covers notified electronic and IT products through product testing and registration.

Manufacturers and importers can connect with Brand Liaison, a trusted BIS Consultant in India, to check the applicable BIS notification and Indian Standard before starting the certification process.