Introduction to Certification

BIS certification is an Indian product certification regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Depending on the product category, BIS certification is divided into three types: compulsory ISI mark certification, Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), and voluntary certification. The BIS certification system has been in existence for over 50 years and covers more than 1000 products. Any product listed in the compulsory category must obtain BIS certification (ISI mark registration certification) to be sold in India.

BIS is a third-party certification body. Products certified by it bear the ISI label, which holds significant influence and good reputation in India and neighboring countries, serving as a reliable guarantee of product quality. Once a product bears the “ISI Mark,” it signifies compliance with relevant Indian standards, giving consumers confidence in their purchase. All products listed under compulsory certification require certification according to Indian product standards to enter the market. Therefore, manufacturers aiming to introduce Stainless Steel Vacuum Flask products into the Indian market need to understand India’s product certification system.

 

Certification Categories

Currently, BIS certification is divided into three categories:

  1. Compulsory ISI Mark Type Certification (Product Testing + Initial Factory Inspection + Post-Certification Surveillance). This mainly includes major categories such as cement, food, automobile parts, steel products, etc.
  2. BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) (Product Testing + Post-Certification Surveillance). This mainly includes tablets, microwave ovens, wireless keyboards, power adapters for printers, LED lamps, lithium batteries, power banks, mobile phones, smart card readers, UPS/inverters ≤10 kVA, projection/LCD/LED televisions of 32 inches and below, etc.
  3. BIS Voluntary Certification applies to all other products not covered by compulsory mark certification or registration certification.

 

Mandatory Certification Product List:

  • First List (MANDATORY):

    The BIS certification applies to manufacturers from any country. Key certification areas include:

    1. Tires; 2. Household appliances like electric irons, kettles, stoves, heaters; 3. Cement and concrete; 4. Circuit breakers; 5. Steel; 6. Electric energy meters; 7. Automobile parts; 8. Food, milk powder; 9. Feeding bottles; 10. Tungsten filament lamps; 11. Oil pressure stoves; 12. Large power transformers; 13. Plugs; 14. Medium and high voltage wires and cables; 15. Self-ballasted lamps. (Enforced in batches since 1986)

  • Second List (COMPULSORY):

    Products under compulsory registration are mainly Electronics & IT goods, including:

    1. Set-top boxes; 2. Portable computers; 3. Laptops; 4. Tablets; 5. Monitors with screen size 32 inches and above; 6. Video monitors; 7. Printers, plotters, scanners; 8. Wireless keyboards; 9. Telephone answering machines; 10. Automatic data processing machines; 11. Microwave ovens; 12. Projectors; 13. Electronic clocks with mains power; 14. Power amplifiers; 15. Electronic music systems. (Enforced from March 2013)

  • Second List Additions (COMPULSORY):

    16. Power adapters for IT equipment; 17. Power adapters for AV equipment; 18. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies); 19. DC or AC LED modules; 20. Batteries; 21. Self-ballasted LED lamps; 22. LED luminaires; 23. Mobile phones; 24. Cash registers; 25. Point of Sale terminals; 26. Copying machines/duplicators; 27. Smart card readers; 28. Mail processing machines, franking machines; 29. Passport readers; 30. Power banks. (Enforced from November 2014)

 

Do Stainless Steel Vacuum Flasks exported to India require BIS certification?

Yes, they do. Furthermore, the enforcement began on January 14, 2024.

According to the requirements of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, from January 14, 2024, all thermally insulated flasks/containers (commonly known as insulated bottles/tumblers) manufactured domestically in India or imported must undergo BIS mark certification before they can be sold in the market.

  1. The BIS test standard applicable for insulated bottles is IS 17526:2021.
  2. It requires Product Testing + Factory Audit.
  3. An Indian local company is required as the Licensee.
  4. Currently, three Indian companies have obtained BIS certification:
    (1) BUTTERFLY GANDHIMATHI APPLIANCES LTD
    (2) HAMILTON HOUSEWARES PRIVATE LIMITED
    (3) Placero International Private Limited

 

Application Process

  1. The client provides documents and Stainless Steel Vacuum Flask samples to the testing agency.
  2. The testing agency conducts a structural check on the water bottle and prepares the relevant documents for the certification application.
  3. The testing agency sends the samples to a partnered laboratory in India.
  4. Testing of the Stainless Steel Vacuum Flask samples is conducted.
  5. The partnered Indian laboratory issues the BIS test report.
  6. The testing agency submits the registration documents, details of the Indian Representative, and the test report to BIS for the registration application.
  7. BIS reviews and issues the registration grant letter.
  8. The client obtains the BIS registration number for the product and proceeds with follow-up for license acquisition.

 

Required Application Materials

  1. Application form.
  2. Form for appointing an Indian Agent (proof of local representative) or document proving the manufacturer’s Indian office, along with permission from the Reserve Bank of India.
  3. Documents proving the company’s establishment, such as the registration certificate.
  4. Flowchart of the manufacturing process for the Stainless Steel Vacuum Flask, describing the entire manufacturing process (from raw materials to finished product).
  5. Quality control system documents (e.g., quality manual, quality control plan, test schedule).
  6. If applicable, details of other product or system certifications.
  7. If applicable, details of components or raw materials used in product manufacturing, prior to certification.
  8. List of machinery used in production.
  9. List of testing equipment available in the laboratory.
  10. Product design drawings of the Stainless Steel Vacuum Flask.
  11. Qualification certificates and detailed experience records of the laboratory in-charge, technical staff, and QC personnel.
  12. Test reports from a recognized independent laboratory or the factory’s own laboratory.
  13. Layout diagram of the factory premises, clearly showing key production machinery, laboratories, etc.
  14. Location map of the factory, showing the route from the nearest airport or railway station to the factory, and detailed directions from India to the factory.

 

Hono Housewares specializes in manufacturing Stainless Steel Vacuum Flasks. If you are an Indian client looking to import vacuum flask into India, please feel free to contact us. We can help verify your product classification, introduce the process, and recommend relevant certification agencies to you.