Is BIS Certification Mandatory for Cotton Bales?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a national standards body in India that operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. BIS has the responsibility of formulating and implementing standards for products and services to promote consumer welfare, health, and safety.

Cotton  is a popular textile fiber used in a variety of applications, such as clothing, home textiles, and industrial textiles.

Why Cotton Bales is mandatory for certification  ?

Cotton is a major cash crop in India, and the country is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of cotton. However, in recent years, Indian cotton has faced stiff competitiogn from other countries like the United States, Brazil, and Australia, which have better quality control mechanisms in place.

To address this issue, the Ministry of Textiles has taken a significant step by bringing cotton bales under mandatory certification. This move will ensure that the cotton produced in India meets the required quality standards and is free from any harmful contaminants.

The Bureau of Indian Standards will be responsible for the certification of cotton bales, and it will carry out the necessary tests and inspections to ensure that the cotton meets the specified quality parameters. The certification process will involve testing for parameters like fiber length, strength, micronaire, and trash content.

WHAT IS BUREAU OF INDIAN STANARDS (BIS)

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s National Standards Body established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways – providing safe reliable quality goods; minimizing health hazards to consumers; promoting exports and imports substitute; control over proliferation of varieties etc. through standardization, certification and testing. It is responsible for setting and promoting standards in areas such as product quality, safety, and environmental sustainability.

BIS CERTIFICATION SCHEME

Scheme – I of Schedule – II of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 provides for product certification leading to use of ISI mark on the products.

BIS certification for any  product is a complex and time-consuming process that begins with product development and validation and continues through the BIS certification process. Bureau grants a licence based on a successful assessment of the manufacturer’s manufacturing infrastructure, process controls, quality control, and testing capabilities during a visit to its manufacturing facilities. BIS certification can be obtained following two different procedures viz Normal Procedure and Simplified Procedure. BIS has categorized products which fall under these two categories of product certification.

BIS CERTIFICATION PROCESS

• The product must meet the relevant Indian Standard Specification (IS 12171).
• BIS license is only given to the factory (manufacturer of finished products), not to the Distributor/Retailer.
• If a manufacturer has multiple factories, each of which is located at a distinct geographical address, the business must file a separate application for each product and factory location.
• The laboratory should be fully equipped with product testing equipment as well as qualified quality control personnel to test the product in accordance IS 12171
• All production machinery and testing facilities should be located in the factory premises as per ISS norms and respective Scheme of Inspection and testing (SIT).
• All production processes should be completed in the same factory, from receiving raw materials to final packing. If any out-sourcing is required, clearance from the Bureau may be requested.

BIS CERTIFICATION PROCESS FOR INDIAN MANUFACTURERS

• Registration: Manufacturer needs to register online on BIS portal and provide inputs as solicited and complete the profile.
• Application: The manufacturer submits an online application to BIS for certification, along with the relevant documents such as company profile, raw material and product details, test reports, and fees. The application must be complete and accurate, and the manufacturer must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria for certification.
• Document Review: BIS reviews the application and the accompanying documents including test reports to ensure that the manufacturer meets the eligibility criteria for certification. The documents are checked for accuracy and completeness, and BIS may ask for additional information or clarification if needed.
• Inspection: BIS certification officer conducts an Inspection at the manufacturer’s facilities and verifies the production processes, testing facilities etc to ascertain the manufacturing and testing infrastructure of the applicant in compliance with IS 12171. Thereafter the samples are drawn for testing in independent laboratory.
• Testing of Sample: The samples drawn during inspection are submitted to laboratory to confirm the conformance to IS 12171
• Grant of Licence: Based on documents submitted by the manufacturer and based on the satisfactory Inspection by BIS and test results obtained from independent laboratory, the licence is granted to the manufacturer and the manufacturer is allowed to affix the Standard Mark on their products.
• Ongoing Surveillance: BIS may conduct regular surveillance audits to ensure that the manufacturer continues to comply with the relevant Indian Standards and maintain the quality of their products.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BIS LICENCE FOR FOREIGN  MANUFACTURER

• Representative in India: The manufacturer must have a representative in India who can act as the liaison between the manufacturer and BIS. This representative is responsible for communication and coordination with BIS and must be authorized to make decisions on behalf of the manufacturer.
• Application: The manufacturer submits an offline application to BIS for certification, along with the relevant documents such as raw material and product details, manufacturing machinery, qualified testing personnel and other applicable documents, and fees. The application must be complete and accurate, and the manufacturer must demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria for certification.
• Document Review: BIS reviews the application and the accompanying documents to ensure that the manufacturer meets the eligibility criteria for certification. The documents are checked for accuracy and completeness, and BIS may ask for additional information or clarification if needed.
• Certification Audit / Inspection: BIS conducts a certification audit/inspection of the manufacturer’s facilities to verify the production processes, testing infrastructure etc to ascertain that they are in compliance with IS 12171. Samples are drawn/sealed for testing in independent laboratory (Indian Laboratory duly recognized by BIS) and samples drawn for ensuring the compliance of the product to IS 12171.
• Testing of Products: The manufacturer arranges for their products to be shipped to the relevant Indian laboratory tested for testing to confirm that they meet the requirements of the IS 12171. The test results must demonstrate that the products meet the required specifications and standards.
• Grant of Licence / Certification: Based on documents submitted by the manufacturer , satisfactory certification audit and conformity of the sample drawn during certification audit to requirement of IS 12171,  BIS grants certification to the manufacturer and the manufacturer is allowed to affix the Standard Mark on their products.
• Ongoing Surveillance: BIS may conduct regular surveillance audits to ensure that the manufacturer continues to comply with the relevant Indian Standards and maintain the quality of their products. Market samples are also darwan on regaular basis to ensure the compliance to IS 12171.

The mandatory certification of cotton bales will benefit the entire cotton value chain, from farmers to exporters. Farmers will be encouraged to produce better quality cotton, which will fetch a higher price in the market. The certification will also give exporters the confidence to market Indian cotton as a high-quality product in the global market, thereby increasing its demand.

Moreover, the certification will help India meet the requirements of international buyers who demand certified and traceable cotton. This move will also strengthen India’s position as a leading cotton producer and exporter in the world.

In conclusion, the mandatory certification of cotton bales by the Bureau of Indian Standards is a significant step taken by the Ministry of Textiles towards improving the quality of cotton and enhancing its competitiveness in the global market. This move will benefit all stakeholders in the cotton value chain and help India maintain its position as a leading cotton producer and exporter in the world.