FMCS BIS Certificate for Foreign Manufacturer

FMCS, or Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme, is a certification process regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under Scheme-I Schedule-II, Conformity (Assessment) Regulations, 2018, and the BIS Act, 2016. This scheme enables foreign manufacturers to obtain a license to use standard marks (ISI Mark) on products that meet Indian standards. The primary objective of FMCS is to ensure that the public has access to safe, high quality and reliable products.

What is a BIS standard mark?

The BIS standard mark, commonly known as the ISI mark, is specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards. This mark indicates that the product conforms to Indian standards set by BIS. The ISI mark is essential to ensure product quality and safety.

Importance of FMCS BIS Certificate for Foreign Manufacturers  in India

Obtaining FMCS BIS certification is mandatory for certain products sold in the Indian market. Without this certification, manufacturers cannot legally sell their products in India. Benefits of FMCS BIS certification include easy market access, legal benefits and consumer confidence in product quality.

Products requiring FMCS BIS certification

The following products require FMCS BIS Certificate for Foreign Manufacturers in India:

1. Household electrical goods
2. Battery
3. Food and related products
4. Oil pressure stove
5. Automotive accessories
6. Valves, cylinders and regulators
7. Medical equipment
8. Steel and iron products
9. Electrical transformers
10. Electric motors
11. Capacitors
12. Chemicals, Fertilizers, Textiles, and polymers
13. Kitchen Appliances
14. Domestic water heaters for use with LPG
15. AC and related parts, hermetic compressors and temperature-sensing controls
16. Plugs, sockets and AC direct connection static pre-paid meter for active energy
17. Transparent float glass
18. Homemade pressure cookers
19. Cables
20. Rubber hoses for LPG
21. Foil
22. Non-electrical toys
23. Electric toys
24. Flat transparent sheet glass
25. Safety glass
26. Woven bags
27. Butterfly valves
28. Bicycle reflectors
29. Paper
30. Cattle feed
31. Automotive rim components
32. Footwear
33. Press Tool-Dunches
34. Helmets for riders of two-wheeled motor vehicles
35. Centrifugally cast (spun) iron pipes
36. Flux-cored (Tubular) electrodes
37. Sewing machines
38. Water treatment systems
39. Jute sacks
40. Cement (any type of cement manufactured or sold in India)

FMCS BIS certification requirements

Foreign manufacturers wishing to export their products to India must meet the following requirements:

• The manufacturing units must be located outside India.
• The manufacturer must accept the terms of the license.
• In-house testing facilities and quality control personnel must be available.
• The products must conform to the relevant Indian Specification Standards (ISS).
• The manufacturer must accept an inspection and testing (SIT) scheme and an annual marking fee.
• All production machinery and testing equipment should be available in the production units.
• Documents required for FMCS BIS certification
• Applicants must submit the following documents:
• Factory or company registration documents
• Flow diagram of the manufacturing process
• Business license and ISO certificate (with English translation if in another language)
• Indian Standards Test Reports
• Appointment
• Statement and Commitment
• Product or component drawings (if applicable)
• Raw material list and raw material test certificates
• Information about other certificates for products or factory systems
• List of test equipment and calibration certificates
• Procedure for obtaining FMCS BIS certification

The process of obtaining FMCS BIS certification involves several steps:

1. Documentation and Submission: Compile all the required documents, submit the application submit it online to BIS and also send the hard copy to the FMCD department.
2. Verification: BIS will verify the application. If any documents or requirements are missing, they will request additional information via email. If satisfactory, the request is recorded.
3. Factory Audit: A BIS officer inspects the factory premises, inspects the infrastructure and production process, tests the product in its laboratory and collects a sample of the product for independent laboratory testing.
4. Product Sample Testing: The sample is tested in a BIS-recognized laboratory and the testing charges are paid by the applicant.
5. Issuance of license: If the inspection and test reports are satisfactory, the applicant pays a license fee and a minimum marking fee, after which the license is issued.
6. Indemnity Bond: Upon issuance of a license, signing of indemnity bond and providing $10,000 performance bank guarantee to BIS. Failure to provide this warranty will result in license revocation.

Important instructions for AIR nomination for foreign manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Agent (AIR) to obtain a license. AIR acts as the local representative responsible for managing the certification application and must meet the following criteria:

Must be an Indian resident

• There should be no conflict of interest with the testing of product samples in third-party laboratories
• The AIR name must appear in the license documents
• Must have at least a bachelor’s degree and know the BIS Act 2016, rules and regulations
• They must agree to comply with the BIS Act, Terms and Conditions, Rules and Regulations
• It can represent only one foreign manufacturer at a time

By following these guidelines, foreign manufacturers can ensure compliance with Indian standards and gain access to the Indian market.