BIS FMCS Certification for Foreign Manufacturers in India

Introduction 

Foreign manufacturers who are planning to manufacture and supply products in the Indian market may need to obtain a BIS licence under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). The scheme allows the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to grant a licence to manufacturers whose factories are located outside India and whose products conform to the applicable Indian Standards.

BIS FMCS certification is the primary BIS certification scheme for foreign manufacturers for products that have been notified under the scheme. The licence permits the foreign manufacturer to use the BIS Standard Mark on specified products.

This guide explains BIS FMCS certification requirements, key eligibility, AIR assistance, documents required, testing, factory inspection, application process, fees, timeline, as well as licence validity for foreign manufacturers who are exporting products to India.

What is BIS FMCS Certification?

The Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS) is a BIS certification scheme under which a licence is granted to a foreign manufacturer for products that conform to the relevant Indian Standard.

FMCS has been operated by BIS since 2000 and is administered by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Department (FMCD) at BIS Headquarters in New Delhi. The scheme mainly applies to products that have been notified for mandatory certification compliance. 

Who Can Apply for BIS FMCS Certification?

Foreign manufacturers with manufacturing facilities located outside India can apply for BIS FMCS Certification. BIS requires the manufacturer to demonstrate that its product conforms to the applicable Indian Standard and that the manufacturing facility has the necessary infrastructure for consistent production as well as testing. The foreign manufacturer should have the following:

• Required manufacturing machinery and facilities.
• Necessary testing arrangements and equipment.
• Trained staff to conduct applicable tests.
• Systems to meet the applicable Scheme of Testing and Inspection (SIT).
• Ability to comply with BIS licence terms and conditions.
• An Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to proceed with the BIS application.

A separate application is required for each product or Indian Standard and each manufacturing location.

Which Products Are Covered Under BIS FMCS?

FMCS can cover foreign-manufactured products that have been notified for which BIS grants certification against relevant Indian Standards. The actual requirement generally depends on:

• The product category
• Applicable Indian Standard
• Product-specific BIS certification requirements
• Whether a QCO or other regulation makes certification mandatory
• The applicable BIS conformity assessment scheme

Common product categories that may fall under BIS certification include:

• Electrical and electronic products
• Building and construction materials
• Chemicals
• Mechanical and engineering products
• Automotive components
• Household products
• Steel and metal products
• Other products covered by applicable Indian Standards and regulations

However, businesses should not assume that every product in a broad category requires FMCS. The exact product and applicable Indian Standard must be checked before applying. You can check your eligibility for BIS certification to ensure market readiness for your products.

Is FMCS Certification Mandatory for Foreign Manufacturers?

Yes, for all specified products. BIS certification is mandatory when the Government has made it compulsory for a particular product through a QCO or another applicable regulation. For products that have been notified with mandatory certification requirements, the foreign manufacturer must obtain the required BIS licence before supplying the product in India. However, they must appoint an AIR for proceeding with the BIS application. 

What is an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)?

An Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) is an India-based representative who is nominated by the foreign manufacturer for operating its BIS certification. Nomination of an AIR is mandatory for foreign manufacturers. The AIR must be an Indian resident and accept responsibility for compliance with applicable BIS requirements, the BIS Act, rules, regulations, as well as the terms and conditions associated with the licence.

If the foreign manufacturer has a branch or office in India, an employee or senior person from that office may preferably be nominated. Where the manufacturer does not have an Indian office, another eligible person can be legally appointed as the AIR to proceed with the BIS application.

The AIR may also be required to carry out the following activities:

• Coordinate with BIS
• Facilitate communication and compliance
• Appear before BIS when required
• Maintain relevant records and confidentiality
• Facilitate market sample collection
• Ensure compliance with applicable licence conditions

What are the Documents Required for BIS FMCS Certification? 

The exact documentation generally depends on the product and applicable Indian Standard, but the application requires technical, manufacturing as well as legal information. Common documents for a BIS FMCS Certification include:

• Legal address proofs of the factories
• Product specification
• Details of raw material, machinery, and testing equipments
• 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

Note: You can appoint Brand Liaison as your AIR. Being the best BIS FMCS Certification consultant in India, Brand Liaison helps businesses seamlessly manage Indian market certifications in a hassle-free manner. 

Complete BIS FMCS Certification Process for the Indian Market

The FMCS process involves application review, technical assessment, factory evaluation, as well as testing steps such as:

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

It is important to identify the correct Indian Standard for the product and verify whether BIS certification is mandatory or voluntary for compliance in the Indian market.

Step 2: Assess Factory Readiness

Review the manufacturing machinery, production process, testing facilities, quality controls, as well as trained staff available at the foreign factory.

Step 3: Appoint an AIR

Manufacturers must nominate an eligible Authorized Indian Representative in India and complete the prescribed documentation to proceed with the BIS application.

Step 4: Submit the Online Application

BIS accepts FMCS applications only through the Manakonline portal. The application should be complete and submitted along with the required documents and applicable fees.

Step 5: Application Scrutiny

BIS reviews the application and may raise queries or request additional information. Delays can occur where documents are incomplete or responses and payments are not provided on time.

Step 6: Factory Inspection

BIS checks the foreign manufacturing premises in order to verify manufacturing infrastructure, testing facilities, quality controls, and other applicable requirements. Samples may also be collected for product testing.

Step 7: Product Testing

Samples are tested against the applicable Indian Standard. Depending on the certification requirements, testing may involve independent laboratory testing and/or testing arrangements that have been specified under the applicable conformity assessment framework.

Step 8: Compliance and Licence Grant

After satisfactory inspection and test results, the applicant completes the applicable financial, agreement, and other requirements. BIS will then grant the licence for the approved product.

BIS FMCS Testing and Factory Inspection Requirements

Testing is an absolutely essential part of an FMCS license in India because the product must demonstrate conformity with the applicable Indian Standard. BIS expects the foreign manufacturer to have appropriate testing arrangements at its factory, including the necessary equipment. During factory assessment, BIS may evaluate the following:

• Manufacturing machinery
• Production facilities
• Quality-control systems
• Testing equipment
• Testing staff
• Manufacturing process
• Raw-material controls
• In-process inspection
• Finished-product testing
• Product identification and traceability

The exact requirements will generally depend on the applicable Indian Standard and product specifications.

How Much Does BIS FMCS Certification Cost?

There is no single fixed total cost for every BIS FMCS application because expenses generally depend on the product, testing requirements, factory location, inspection duration and other factors. However, here is a simplified breakdown of the FMCS cost structure:

How Long Does BIS FMCS Certification Take?

The BIS FMCS certification can take several months, around 5-6 months, particularly because the process may involve application review, factory inspection, sample testing, responses to queries as well as payment of applicable fees. 

For planning purposes, foreign manufacturers should therefore begin the certification process before manufacturing or shipment deadlines, rather than treating BIS certification as a post-production requirement. Taking help from expert professionals such as Brand Liaison - the best BIS certification consultant in Delhi, India - can significantly reduce certification timelines and streamline compliance management for the Indian market.

BIS FMCS Licence Validity and Renewal

A BIS FMCS licence under Scheme-I is valid for 1 year and can be subsequently renewed upon expiration of the BIS licence.

Renewal, on the other hand, can subsequently be considered for a period of up to five years, subject to payment of applicable fees and fulfilment of the renewal requirements.

Common BIS FMCS Compliance Challenges Businesses Face

Foreign manufacturers often face delays in their BIS FMCS applications because Indian certification requirements often differ from international certification practices. Common challenges mainly include:

• Selecting the wrong Indian Standard.
• Assuming that an IEC or international test report automatically satisfies BIS requirements.
• Incomplete technical documentation.
• Insufficient factory testing facilities.
• Incorrect or incomplete AIR documentation.
• Differences between submitted samples and production models.
• Delays in responding to BIS queries.
• Difficulty coordinating overseas factory inspections.
• Applying too close to the planned Indian-market launch.
• Failing to monitor licence renewal and marking requirements.

A structured compliance review and understanding the significance of BIS FMCS certification before submitting the application can help identify these issues early.

How Brand Liaison Assists with BIS FMCS Certification in India?

Brand Liaison has more than a decade of experience in a variety of product certifications for the Indian market, including BIS FMCS certification for foreign manufacturers. We support overseas manufacturers as well as Indian businesses with end-to-end BIS compliance for notified products that are entering the Indian market. Our team assists with BIS applicability, Indian Standard identification, AIR requirements, documentation, product testing, factory inspection, as well as FMCS application procedures. Here’s why businesses prefer working with Brand Liaison:

• Cost-effective compliance solutions
• Tailored compliance management
• Technical assistance
• Documentation and testing coordination
• Dedicated guidebooks for product certifications
• Expert consultancy
• AIR support for foreign manufacturers
• Expertise in regulatory approvals for the Indian market

Connect with Brand Liaison to streamline compliance management for the Indian market and ensure smooth and hassle-free functioning in India.

Conclusion

BIS FMCS certification provides a structured compliance path for foreign manufacturers to obtain BIS approval for products that are manufactured outside India and intended for sale or import in the Indian market.  With the right preparation and product-specific guidance, manufacturers can reduce documentation issues, testing delays, as well as various other compliance challenges while preparing to supply their products in India.