BIS Certification of Chemicals

OMEGA QMS Expert Certification Services

BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious development of activities of standardization, marking, and quality certification of the products and for matters relevant to or incidental to them. Recently, the Government of India has taken a series of measures regarding the mandatory BIS certification of Chemicals.

According to the procedure for notification, WTO members are invited to comment, if any, within 60 days of the notifications being given. Therefore, concerned manufacturers of the above-mentioned Chemicals, through their respective governments or with the aforementioned authorities, can raise their concerns at the WTO level within given time frames.

Procedure for BIS Certification for Chemical

On notification of these Quality Control Orders, all international suppliers and domestic manufacturers of these products will need to submit an application for certification to the concerned office of BIS. The certification process would also include physical testing and inspection of the related Chemicals in the factory premises as well as independent testing of the same by a BIS own laboratory or accredited laboratory in India. Certification can initially be issued for a period of one year, after which application is to be submitted to BIS for renewal from one year to five years.

For certain Chemicals and Polymers which already fall within the scope of the BIS, the Indian Standards for possible up-gradation or changes are being reviewed. These Chemicals include Acetone, Toluene, Phthalic Anhydride, Ethylene Glycol, and Butyl Acrylate, etc.

What is the use of BIS certification for Chemicals?

BIS being a National Standards Body in India, maintains product quality, safety, and reliability. BIS has established a Central Laboratory, four Regional Laboratories, and three Branch Laboratories in the country to test product samples during preliminary inspections and surveillance operations. Apart from their own laboratories, BIS has granted accreditation to a large number of testing laboratories for testing of samples drawn by BIS officers. The government has notified various products under mandatory BIS certification in the interest of public health, life, and safety. With the implementation of Quality Control Orders for a new set of Indian Standards for various Chemicals, domestic and foreign companies will be required to obtain a BIS license before they can import, manufacture, store, or use the listed Chemicals.

About Omega

We at OMEGA, provide consulting services to the Company and Importers for Chemical products in order to obtain BIS Approval. We have a technically trained and experienced team of professionals to assist the clients. We help companies to develop their products according to applicable BIS specifications. We also support Pharmaceutical and hygiene product manufacturers etc to get BIS Certification for Chemicals and Fertilizers.

In a nutshell, OMEGA helps manufacturers and importers to obtain BIS certification for Chemicals in accordance with government guidelines.

Our services

Our technical and regulatory knowledge, together with our deep business experience, helps our clients strategically manage regulatory compliance and gain a competitive edge over others. OMEGA team brings experts from the chemical industry to help you get your products ready for compliance in a minimum period of time. We have earned a reputation for helping our customers, improving consumer confidence in their brands, and gaining competitive advantage. We can also determine if your products currently require BIS certification for imported chemicals and domestic products in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which chemicals require mandatory BIS certification in India?

The Government of India has recently notified several chemicals under mandatory BIS certification through Quality Control Orders. Chemicals currently under review or covered include Acetone, Toluene, Phthalic Anhydride, Ethylene Glycol, and Butyl Acrylate.

Once a Quality Control Order is notified, all domestic manufacturers and international suppliers must obtain BIS certification before they can manufacture, import, store, or use these chemicals in India. The list of chemicals under mandatory certification continues to expand as the government issues new notifications.

What is the process for obtaining BIS certification for chemicals?

The BIS certification process for chemicals involves several key steps:

Application submission: Manufacturers and importers must submit an application to the concerned BIS office after the Quality Control Order is notified.
Factory inspection: BIS conducts physical testing and inspection of chemicals at the manufacturing premises.
Laboratory testing: Independent testing is performed by BIS laboratories or BIS-accredited laboratories in India to verify product compliance with Indian Standards.
Initial certification: If testing and inspection results are satisfactory, certification is initially issued for a period of one year.
Renewal: After the first year, manufacturers can apply for renewal, which can extend the certification from one year to five years depending on compliance performance.

How long is BIS certification valid for chemicals?

BIS certification for chemicals is initially issued for a period of one year. After the first year, companies must submit a renewal application to BIS.

Upon renewal, the certification validity can be extended from one year up to five years, depending on the company's compliance record, surveillance inspection results, and continued conformity with Indian Standards.

It is important to apply for renewal before the expiry of the existing license to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing, import, and sale activities.

Can international manufacturers comment on BIS Quality Control Orders for chemicals?

Yes, international manufacturers have the opportunity to raise concerns through the WTO notification process.

According to the notification procedure, WTO member countries are invited to comment on proposed Quality Control Orders within 60 days of the notification being issued. Concerned manufacturers of chemicals can:

Submit comments through their respective governments,
Raise concerns directly with Indian authorities at the WTO level, or
Work with trade bodies and industry associations to voice objections or suggest modifications to the proposed standards.

This 60-day window is critical for international suppliers who want to influence the scope, technical requirements, or implementation timeline of the Quality Control Order before it becomes mandatory.