BIS Certification of Footwear

Let's begin with understanding BIS and its functions.

BIS stands for Bureau of Indian Standards and provides third-party assurance of quality, safety, and reliability of BIS certified products to the users/customers.

Brief for BIS

BIS is the National Standard Body of India 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.

BIS Product Certification

Under the product certification scheme – I, BIS grants licence to use the standard mark or grants certificate of conformity as per conformity assessment schemes given in BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 . The Product Certification Schemes of BIS aims at providing Third Party assurance of quality, safety and reliability of products to the customer. Presence of BIS certification mark, known as Standard Mark, on a product is an assurance of conformity to the specifications. The manufacturer is permitted to self certify the licence products after ascertaining its conformity to the Standard. Although, the scheme itself is voluntary in nature, the Government of India, on considerations of public health and safety, security, infrastructure requirements and mass consumption has enforced compulsory certification on various products through Orders issued from time to time under various Acts.

Why did the government of India Introduce BIS certification?

If it is to be answered simply, then it would be to "ensure Quality and Safety".

Mandatory BIS Certification of Footwear:

1. Leather and Footwear Order 3403 on dated 27^th October 2020
2. Leather and Footwear Order 3404 on dated 27^th October 2020
3. Leather and Footwear Order 3406 on dated 27^th October 2020

List of Products covered under the 3 QCOs

Amendments to BIS certification for footwear

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has in furtherance to the Quality management orders covering footwear made from rubber/polymeric material, leather and other material, has recently notified a clarification to facilitate the footwear manufacturers. To ensure that manufacturers and importers maintain quality, as well as to prevent the import of substandard footwear, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Government of India issued an order on October 27, 2020, requiring all footwear produced, manufactured, stocked, sold, and traded in the country to bear the BIS label.

These quality control standards for leather shoes and other compound footwear will be introduced in India in order to limit imports and prevent the development of sub-standard items. This advisory applies to a variety of leather accessories, including anti-riot shoes and safety boots.

Why there is a need for getting professional assistance for obtaining BIS certification?

BIS certification for any product is a complex and elaborate exercise, starting from product development and validation, and thereafter, going through the process of BIS certification. At the outset, the manufacturer has to set up in-house complete test laboratory for testing the product. This is followed by development and validation of the product as per the relevant Indian Standard. After the manufacturer is able to manufacture the product of desired quality consistently, it may apply to BIS for certification. The application is filed online, while ensuring that it is complete and all required documents are uploaded, including inter alia, list of manufacturing machinery, test equipment and their calibration, testing personnel, process flow-chart, etc. During the audit, applicant is required to physically demonstrate its complete manufacturing process and testing capability, and establish that it is competent to manufacture and test the product as per the relevant Indian Standard. Applicant is also required to offer at least two different lots of product for in-house testing and for testing in BIS’s own or BIS recognized independent laboratory. After successful completion of the audit, a sample is drawn by BIS official for independent testing. If the sample is reported conforming to the relevant Indian Standard, BIS processes the application for grant of licence to the manufacturer. It usually takes about 3 months to complete the entire process, as explained. Seeking a professional assistance for BIS certification can save a lot of time, money, and resources.

We, at Omega QMS, are providing full technical assistance for BIS certification for all types of Footwear. Omega has team of Qualified Engineers having vast experience in conformity assessment and regulatory compliance. The team is managed by retired senior officers of BIS, who have served BIS at very senior positions for decades.

We, at Omega QMS, provide end-to-end professional guidance and assistance for BIS certification. We are situated at a central location in Delhi and are providing services to clients throughout the country and overseas. We are engaged by several Fortune 500 companies, globally, and have been serving our clients in >40 countries, worldwide.