How to Check BIS Certification Online?

Introduction

BIS certification is a mandatory compliance requirement for certain notified products sold or imported in India. Understanding the requirements for a BIS certificate helps you to get the certification smoothly.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides online verification facilities for businesses to check certification details without depending only on a physical certificate or the BIS Standard Mark displayed on a product.

In this blog, Brand Liaison will explain how to verify BIS certification online, what details you need, how to check the status of a BIS licence or registration, and what you should do if the certificate details cannot be found.

What is BIS Certification?

BIS certification or registration is a compulsory certification that the notified products have met the relevant Indian Standard for being sold in the Indian market. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India's national standards body responsible for issuing the certificate and for developing standards and carrying out conformity assessment activities.

Here are different types of BIS certification schemes:

1. BIS ISI Certification - BIS ISI Mark is mandatory for certain products like cement, electrical products, household products, and others falling under the applicable conformity assessment scheme
2. BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) - It is mandatory for certain electronics and IT products
3. BIS Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) - It is applicable for foreign manufacturers exporting the notified products in India
4. BIS Scheme X Certification for products covered under the applicable requirements.

Depending on the product and applicable requirements, BIS certification is important for products listed in the applicable BIS product list. It helps manufacturers and importers know that their products must meet applicable quality, safety, and performance requirements.

BIS Certificate and BIS Registration: Are They the Same?

Though these terms are often used together, they refer to different things depending on the applicable BIS scheme.

A BIS licence is an approval granted by BIS to a manufacturer under the relevant certification scheme. 

A BIS registration is used for notified products covered under registration-based schemes such as CRS.

For ISI-certified products, the CM/L number is generally associated with the BIS licence. For CRS products, an R-number is used for registration.

Therefore, checking the right identification number is an important part of BIS certificate verification.

Why Does BIS Certification Verification Matter?

BIS verification is not only useful for consumers. It is also important for businesses involved in manufacturing, importing, distribution, and sourcing.

1. For manufacturers: This verification helps them ensure that their certification details are genuine and correctly associated with their products.
2. For importers: It helps them confirm whether the overseas manufacturer's BIS approval is relevant to the product being imported into India.
3. For distributors and sellers: This checking of certification information reduces the risk of selling products with incorrect or outdated compliance claims.
4. For business buyers: This verification provides an additional level of confidence before purchasing the notified products in the Indian market.

What Details Do You Need to Verify BIS Certification?

Before starting the verification process, the following are the details that you need to know:

• CM/L number for applicable ISI-certified products.
• R-number for products registered under CRS.
• Manufacturer's name.
• Product or model details.
• Brand name.
• Applicable Indian Standard.

Moreover, the exact information available for verification varies depending on the BIS scheme and product category.

How to Verify BIS Certification Online? 

BIS provides online facilities through which certification and registration details can be checked. The following are the ways through which a business can check or verify BIS Certification Online:

Method 1: Verify Through the BIS Online Portal (Manak Online)

The BIS online system is used to search for relevant BIS ISI, FMCS licence, or Scheme X information.

A general verification process involves:

1. Visit the official BIS online platform.
2. Select the relevant licence, registration, or conformity assessment search option.
3. Enter the required identification number or other available details.
4. Submit the search.
5. Review the information displayed in the BIS records.
6. Compare the information with the certificate, product, packaging, or documents provided by the manufacturer or supplier.

While checking the result, do not look only at the certificate number but also compare the manufacturer, product name, brand, model, standard, and status.

Method 2: Check a BIS CRS Registration at the BIS Care App

For the notified electronic and IT products covered under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme, you can check the registration online at the BIS Care App. It applies to certain types of electronic equipment, power supplies, televisions, mobile phones, laptops, and other products covered under the applicable requirements.

Here are the steps for R-number check online at the BIS Care App:

1. Go to the BIS Care App
2. Select the verification type (R-number under CRS)
3. Enter the unique number
4. Submit and Search

To verify a CRS registration, businesses use the relevant BIS search facility and enter the R-number or other required product details. The information shown should be compared with the actual product and documents supplied by the manufacturer.

Related Guide: BIS Certification for Mobile Chargers

How to Download BIS Certificates Online?

Here are the two ways through which the manufacturers and importers can download BIS Certificates online:

1. Steps to Download a BIS Certificate from the Manak Online Portal

Through the Manak Online Portal, manufacturers can manage BIS applications, check license details, and access certificates. If your BIS license has already been approved, then from the following steps you can know how to download BIS certificate from Manak Online:

1. Visit the Manak Online Portal
   Go to the official Manak Online Portal.
2. Log in to Your Account
   Enter your registered email ID and password. New users need to create an account before logging in.
3. Open Your Dashboard
   After logging in, go to the Dashboard. You will find details of your BIS applications and licenses there.
4. Find Your BIS License
   Look for the license or registration number for which you want to download the certificate.
5. Select the Download Option
   Once you find the approved license, click on the Download Certificate option, if available.
6. Save the Certificate
   You can save the certificate as a PDF and keep in your company's records for future use.

2. Steps to Download a BIS Certificate Through the BIS Care App

The BIS Care App is another way to check both BIS license and registration details using a mobile phone. It helps users verify certified products and access relevant BIS information. Here are the steps:

1. Install the BIS Care App
   Search for BIS Care on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and install the official app.
2. Open the App
   Launch the app and select the relevant option, such as Licensed Products or Registered Users.
3. Search for the BIS License
   Enter the CM/L number or other required product details to find the relevant BIS license.
4. View the Certificate Details
   Check the license information displayed for the product or manufacturer. If a download option is available, you can use it to save the certificate.

Moreover, it is mainly designed to help users verify BIS-certified products and license information. For BIS Certificate download, the Manak Online Portal is generally the more relevant platform.

Which BIS Scheme Applies to Your Product?

For verifying a BIS certificate online, it is important to understand which scheme applies to the product.

If you are a manufacturer or importer and are unsure which BIS scheme applies to your notified product, Brand Liaison helps you to understand the applicable BIS requirements and guides you through the appropriate certification process.

What Should You Check After Finding the BIS Certificate?

Finding a certificate or licence number online is only the first step. Manufacturers and importers should carefully compare the information available in the BIS records with the actual product.

1. Manufacturer Details

You need to check whether the manufacturer mentioned in the BIS record is the same manufacturer selling the notified product.

2. Product Scope

A BIS certification covers the notified products or models. Make sure the product you are selling falls within the applicable product list.

3. Indian Standard

Check the Indian Standard mentioned in the certification details and confirm that it is applicable to the notified product.

4. Brand and Model

For the notified products where brand or model details are relevant, compare them with the actual product, packaging, and technical documents.

5. Current Status

Most importantly, check whether the certification or registration is currently active. A certificate that was issued in the past does not automatically mean that the approval is currently valid.

What If the BIS Certificate Cannot Be Found Online?

Sometimes a business may search for a BIS certificate and not find the expected information. This does not always mean that the certificate is fake. There can be several reasons for an unsuccessful search. Before concluding, check the following:

• Double-check the number:
  A single incorrect digit in a CM/L number or R-number can result in an unsuccessful search.
• Select the correct search facility:
  ISI certifications and CRS registrations use different identification and verification processes. You need to select the correct search facility for accurate results.
• Check the manufacturer name:
  Try searching the manufacturer name if the portal allows it.
• Check the product scope:
  The certificate may exist, but the particular product or model may not be covered under its scope. So, check the correct product scope.
• Check the certification status:
  The approval may have expired, been suspended, or otherwise changed in status. So, check the current certification status.

If the information still cannot be verified, it is better to seek expert assistance from a trusted BIS Certification Consultant in India and get the accurate result.

How Long Is a BIS Certificate Valid?

The validity of a BIS approval depends on the applicable BIS scheme and the conditions under which the approval has been issued.

For BIS ISI Certification

• Approximately 20 working days for the simplified procedure (if applicable).
• Approximately 40 working days for the normal procedure. 

For FMCS Certification

• Approximately 6 months, subject to BIS Technical discretion. 

For BIS CRS Registration

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

For Scheme X Certification

• For an Indian Manufacturer: approximately 2 months.
• For a foreign manufacturer: Approximately 6 months, subject to BIS Technical discretion.

However, manufacturers also need to maintain their certification and comply with applicable renewal, surveillance, testing, marking, and other post-certification requirements.

What are the Common Challenges When Verifying BIS Certification Online?

Online verification makes the process easier, but businesses can still face confusion. Some common challenges include:

1. No clarity about the applicable BIS certification scheme, ISI certification, BIS CRS registration, or another BIS approval.
2. Confusion between a CM/L number and an R-number.
3. Entering incorrect certification details.
4. Not knowing the product scope mentioned in the licence.
5. Unsure whether a certificate covers the exact product or model.
6. Depending on a physical BIS mark without checking the associated certification details.
7. Difficulty understanding technical information available in the BIS records.

For businesses handling multiple notified products, reviewing these details manually can also take considerable time. So, it is better to consult with a professional consultant to avoid mistakes and verify the certificate smoothly.

How Does Brand Liaison Help With BIS Compliance?

Verifying an existing BIS certificate online is only one part of product compliance. Businesses need support in understanding whether BIS certification is applicable, identifying the correct Indian Standard, arranging product testing, preparing documents, and more.

Brand Liaison is the best BIS Certification Consultant in Delhi with 10+ years of experience, 5000+ certificates, 1000+ BIS projects, and 500+ FMCS projects. We support manufacturers, importers, and businesses with different BIS compliance requirements, including clients like ABB Spa and IFM Electronics.

Our expert team assists in:

• Understanding BIS eligibility for the product
• Identifying the correct certification scheme
• Preparing documentation
• Coordinating with BIS authorities for product testing
• Assistance in application preparation and submission.
• Support in BIS factory inspection and audit requirements where applicable.
• Following up on the certification process.
• Post-certification assistance.

Brand Liaison helps businesses approach BIS requirements with better clarity and avoid unnecessary delays caused by incorrect documentation or selecting the wrong certification route.

Conclusion

Verifying BIS certification online is an important step for businesses. A certification number, BIS Standard Mark, or certificate copy should be checked against the relevant BIS records wherever possible.

If you are unsure whether your product requires BIS certification or need support with the certification process, Brand Liaison, a reputed BIS Certification Consultant, helps you understand the applicable requirements and move forward with the appropriate compliance process. Connect with Brand Liaison for BIS certification and compliance support.