Executive Summary:
This document summarizes a response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding BIS certification and Quality Control Order (QCO) implementation. It details the number of applications received, certifications granted, and average processing times for BIS certifications under various QCOs over the last three years. It also addresses concerns raised by stakeholders and outlines government reforms to address these issues.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **BIS Certification Statistics (Last Three Years):**
* **Domestic Manufacturers:**
* The number of applications received, licenses granted (normal and simplified procedures) and average processing times are provided year-wise (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25).
* Simplified procedures for domestic manufacturers do not require factory inspection.
* **Foreign Manufacturers:**
* The number of licenses granted to foreign manufacturers is provided year-wise (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25).
* Processing times for foreign manufacturers are contingent on visa issuance, audit readiness, sample availability, and fee payments.
* **Stakeholder Representations:**
* Concerns regarding QCOs are addressed by the relevant line Ministry/Department/Regulator.
* BIS provides comments on these representations to the concerned regulators.
* **Testing Infrastructure:**
* BIS operates conformity assessment schemes through its own and recognized laboratories.
* BIS utilizes NABL accredited laboratories, manufacturer's own laboratories, and other testing facilities.
* **Alignment with Global Standards:**
* 93.7% of Indian Standards developed by BIS are aligned with corresponding ISO/IEC standards, where such standards exist.
* **Reforms and Digitalization:**
* Domestic manufacturer certification processes have been digitized via the Manak online platform.
* Renewal of certifications is now automated.
* Inspections and surveillance activities have been digitized using mobile apps with real-time reporting and geo-location features.
* **Laboratory Ecosystem Expansion:**
* BIS has a laboratory ecosystem including its own, public and private recognized, and government empaneled laboratories.
* Inclusions have been approved to expand testing coverage for new Indian Standards and product categories.
* **Mutual Recognition Agreements:**
* The possibility of mutual recognition of foreign certifications is explored during trade negotiations with interested countries.
Impact Analysis:
* **Domestic Manufacturers:**
* Impact: Affected by certification processes, simplified procedures, digitization of processes, and changes in testing infrastructure.
* Action Required: Utilize the Manak online platform for certification activities and be aware of changes in inspection processes.
* **Foreign Manufacturers:**
* Impact: Subject to certification requirements, visa processes for auditors, and potential mutual recognition agreements.
* Action Required: Ensure readiness for audits, timely provision of samples, and monitor developments regarding mutual recognition agreements.
* **Regulatory Bodies (Ministries/Departments/Regulators):**
* Impact: Responsible for addressing stakeholder representations and QCO-related issues.
* Action Required: Address stakeholder representations, coordinate with BIS, and consider comments provided by BIS.
* **Testing Laboratories (BIS, NABL, Government, etc.):**
* Impact: Involved in product testing and conformity assessment.
* Action Required: Expand testing coverage based on approved inclusions and maintain accreditation standards.
* **Consumers:**
* Impact: Benefit from quality control measures and adherence to standards.
* Action Required: None specified.
Key Entities Referenced
Manak online: An online platform used for product certification activities.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution, which oversees the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): The national standards body of India responsible for the formulation of standards, product certification, and testing.
Quality Control Orders (QCOs): Mandatory orders issued by the Indian government to ensure the quality of certain products, requiring BIS certification for compliance.
Indian Standards: The set of technical standards developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that specify requirements for products, processes, and services in India.
NABL accredited laboratories: Laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, indicating their competence to perform specific tests.
ISO/IEC standards: International standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
SHRI B.L. VERMA: The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1615
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
BIS CERTIFICATION AND QUALITY CONTROL ORDER (QCO) IMPLEMENTATION
1615. SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:
SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) the number of applications received, certifications granted and average processing time for Bureau
of Indian Standards (BIS) certifications under various Quality Control Orders (QCOs) during the
last three years, year-wise;
(b) whether the Government has received representations from domestic or international stakeholders
regarding procedural delays, insufficient testing infrastructure or lack of alignment with global
standards in the BIS certification process and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether such delays or bottlenecks have adversely impacted the import of critical goods or
disrupted trade and manufacturing supply chains particularly in sectors dependent on global inputs;
and
(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to undertake reforms to address these issues, including
digitalisation of certification processes, capacity building of testing laboratories or mutual
recognition of foreign certifications and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L. VERMA)
(a) : The procedure for Grant of License for a product under the BIS Product Certification
scheme i.e. Scheme-I involves submission of application by the manufacturer (by both domestic and
foreign) as per the relevant Indian Standards, assessment of the manufacturing and testing capabilities of
the applicant manufacturer through factory inspection at the manufacturing premises and testing of the
product samples in third party labs to establish conformity of the product to the relevant Indian Standards.
Domestic manufacturers have the option to adopt a simplified procedure also in which factory
inspection is not required.
Details of number of applications received, certifications granted, and average processing time for
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certifications under various Quality Control Orders (QCOs) during the
last three years, year-wise are tabulated below:for Domestic manufacturers:
Year No. of No. of No. of Average time taken for Grant of License
application licenses Licenses (for products under QCO)
s received granted granted for
Normal Procedure Simplified Procedure
Products
(involving factory (without factory
under QCO
inspection) inspection)
2022-23 6613 5311 2535 93 days 25 days
2023-24 9106 7383 4066 68 days 26 days
2024-25 11569 9479 5113 81 days 27 days
for Foreign Manufacturers:
Year Number of licenses granted to foreign
manufacturers against the products under QCO.
2022-23 369
2023-24 414
2024-25 526
Total 1309
For foreign manufacturers time taken for grant of license also depends on factors such as time taken
in issuance of VISA to the auditor, manufacturer’s confirmation of audit readiness, and availability of
samples as per the relevant Indian Standards, dispatch of samples sealed during inspection to Indian labs,
payment of applicable fees and charges by applicant etc.
(b) & (c) : Representations from stakeholders regarding various issues related to Quality
Control Orders are addressed by concerned line Ministry/Department/Regulator notifying the QCO.
Comments on these representations are shared by BIS with the concerned regulators on a regular basis.
With regards to existing testing infrastructure, BIS is operating its conformity assessment schemes
through its own 8 laboratories and more than 370 recognized laboratories spread across the country and
more than 290 Government Laboratories/Laboratories of national importance. BIS is also utilizing the
services of NABL accredited laboratories, manufacturer`s own laboratory, testing facilities available
elsewhere in the country such as in Technical Institutions, Academia.
Wherever ISO/IEC standards exist, 93.7% of the Indian Standards developed by BIS are aligned
with the corresponding ISO/IEC standards. For the remaining standards, there is a requirement to have
specifications based on local conditions.(d) : For Domestic Manufacturers, product certification activities and processes have been
digitised. An Online platform “Manak online” is available for product certification activities right from the
stage of submission of application to award of certification including all communications, payment, queries
through the portal itself. The renewal of certifications has also been made automatic without any human
intervention. The manufacturer can simply submit the renewal application at his convenience and after the
online submission, the renewal endorsement gets generated extending the validity of certification. Further,
inspections and surveillance activities in product certification operations have also been digitised with
usage of mobile apps equipped with features like real-time reporting, geo-fencing and geo-tagging
measures
The laboratory ecosystem of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) comprises of its own 10
Laboratories, Public and Private laboratories recognized under BIS Laboratory recognition scheme and
Government Laboratories empaneled by BIS.
To broaden the scope of testing, BIS approved a total of 1,917 inclusion requests in 2024–25 for
new Indian Standards and product categories. Additionally, 989 inclusions have already been granted in
the current financial year, allowing recognized laboratories to expand their testing coverage and better
serve industry needs.
Possibility of Mutual recognition of foreign certifications under the provisions of Government-to-
Government Mutual Recognition agreement (MRA) with interested countries is explored during trade
negotiations.
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