BIS CRS Registration: Your Complete Guide to Compliance

If you want to sell electronics or IT products in India, you need to follow the rules. Getting a Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the first step. Learning the specifics of BIS CRS registration is essential to entering the Indian market. This guide will walk you through it step by step. 

BIS and the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) 

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body for India. The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) and the Order Electronics and IT Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 were implemented to keep India’s electronics safe. The CRS was designed to put a stop to the “flooding” of electronics and IT products that’s entering the market. The government aimed to keep cheap, low-quality products from being imported or distributed.

BIS CRS Registration and BIS CRS Certification: Are They the Same Thing?

BIS CRS Registration and BIS CRS Certification are used interchangeably within the context of the CRS scheme. Both refer to the same process of obtaining a BIS license that allows manufacturers to apply the standard mark (the ISI mark along with a special 'R' number) on their products. 

BIS Registration for Electronic Products describes the overall process of getting a product registered under the scheme. 

BIS Certification for Electronic Products asserts that the product has been certified to conform to the relevant Indian Standard (IS). 

The registration process culminates in the issuing of certification. You can search for "CRS Registration" or "CRS Certification" and achieve the same result of compliance.  

A Systematic 6-Step Guide to Obtaining Your BIS CRS License 

The process to BIS CRS compliance is streamlined. Adhering to the outlined steps makes the process seamless and efficient.

Step 1: Identify the Applicable Indian Standard

To begin, figure out if your product is under the CRS. It covers over 100 product categories, including laptops, tablets, adapters, batteries, power supplies and LED lamps. If this is the case, identify the specific Indian Standard (IS) number that pertains to your product, for example, IS 13252 for IT equipment.

Step 2: Prepare Sample(s) for Testing

Choose representative samples for your production line which will go to a BIS recognized lab in India. The lab will test for safety, quality and performance according to the applicable Indian Standard.

Step 3: Submit the Online Application

You may proceed with the online application while your samples are being tested to the BIS portal. Here, you will create an account, complete Form VI and upload all the required documents including the test report which you will get from the lab.

Step 4: Scrutiny and Verification by BIS

A BIS officer will review your application and documents. If there is a discrepancy or missing information, you will receive a query and this will cause delays. It is crucial to submit a complete and correct application at this stage.

Step 5: Getting Your BIS Licence 

Once they verify the details, the BIS will issue the licence which will contain a special registration number referred to as the CRS Number, or R Number. You must print this number on the product and the packaging. 

Step 6: Place the Standard Mark 

Once you have the licence, you can place the standard mark on each unit of the registered product model. With the mark, you can access the Indian market. 

10 Different Use Cases: Who Requires BIS CRS Registration? 

There is a lot of scope with the CRS scheme. Here are 10 different types of people and businesses that need BIS CRS: 

1. Global Mobile Phone Brands: BIS certification is a must for each model a foreign mobile phone brand intends to sell in India. 

   
   

2. LED Lighting Manufacturers: Local and foreign manufacturers of LED lamps, lanterns and luminaires must meet the requirements. 

   
   

3. Companies that sell Power Banks: Because of their broad usage, power banks fall under the CRS scheme. 

   
   

4. Contract Laptop and Tablet Manufacturers: BIS registration is a must for all IT equipment OEMs looking to launch in India. 

   
   

5. Component Suppliers: Certification is needed for important components such as lithium-ion batteries, adapters and chargers as they are often sold separately.

   
   

6. E-commerce Marketplace Sellers: Sellers on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart listing products covered under the CRS must ensure such products have a BIS certificate and make sure these products have a BIS certificate.

   
   

7. Electronic Goods Importers: They have the responsibility to make sure the goods brought into the country has the proper BIS CRS certification.

   
   

8. Start-ups in the Electronics Space: New innovative electronics like smart home devices under CRS needs to have compliance as part of their plan.

   
   

9. Audio Equipment Manufacturers: They manufacture and produce devices such as Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and amplifiers, which fall under the scheme.

   
   

10. Inverter and UPS System Producers: This includes uninterruptible power supplies and inverters, which also needs to be certified by BIS.

The Critical Importance of BIS CRS Compliance

Severe consequences follow when ignoring BIS CRS requirements:

1. Legal Repercussions: Customs authority gets to the non-compliant control and legal actions can also be imposed on the manufacturer or the importer.

   
   

2. Market Access Barrier: The absence of the BIS mark reduces the products sold legally in India. It makes the country, the largest consumer markets, inaccessible to you.

   
   

3. Brand Reputation and Trust: The BIS mark guarantees quality and safety, and this seal of quality improves customer trust and distinguishes your brand from competitors. Low-quality, uncertified competitors. 

   
   

4. Reduced Liability: Certified goods have less chance of safety failures so there is less risk of product liability claims. 

Conclusion: Ensuring a Fuss-Free Approach to Compliance 

EVTL India is one of the leading BIS consultants in India, helping manufacturers obtain their BIS licences efficiently and smoothly. Even though BIS CRS certification is a step-by-step process, it can also be convoluted and take a long time. Each step is also extremely detail-oriented, from determining the right standard and preparing the necessary samples to using the BIS portal and answering questions.

For manufacturers, especially those located outside of India, overseeing this process on their own will take a lot of time and attention away from the primary business functions. This is an enormous amount of effort for very little reward.

EVTL India helps manufacturers deal with BIS licences in a hassle-free manner. One of the best BIS Consultants in India. Consulting an expert, in this case, assists in solving a complicated regulatory issue with minimal effort. They do complete product testing, document preparation, and documentation, and complete the liaison with BIS, so that your application is fully complete, correctly compliant, and processed in the fastest timeframe.

Meeting the mandatory BIS CRS requirements means that you are also proving the quality and safety of your products, thus legally paving the way for the dynamic Indian electronics market.