What You Need to Know About BIS Compliance for Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF)

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.

Viscose staple fiber is a popular textile fiber used in a variety of applications, such as clothing, home textiles, and industrial textiles. It is a man-made fiber that is derived from cellulose and is commonly used as a substitute for cotton.

Why VSF is mandatory for certification ?

The Indian government has made it mandatory for all manufacturers of viscose staple fiber to obtain certification from BIS. This certification is necessary to ensure that the quality of the fiber produced meets the required standards and is safe for use in various applications.

This mandatory certification of viscose staple fiber by BIS is expected to promote the use of high-quality fiber, ensure consumer safety, and boost the Indian textile industry’s competitiveness in the global market.

MANDATORY QCO FOR VSF

Ministry of Textiles vide notification S.O. 6143(E) dated 29 Dec 2022 published in Gazette of India, Extraordinary has made BIS certification mandatory for Viscose Staple Fibres (VSF) as per IS 17266 w.e.f. 29 Jan 2023.

After the said date no person can import, distribute, sell, store or exhibit for sale VSF without ISI Mark (BIS Certification). It is mandatory for VSF manufacturers and importers to obtain a BIS certificate/licence of VSF in order to use the standard ISI mark on footwear. VSF without the ISI mark is not permitted to be sold in the country.

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 15844).
• 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 15844.
• 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 17266. 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 17266
• 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 17266. 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 17266.
• 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 15844. 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 17266, 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 17266.

In conclusion, the mandatory certification of viscose staple fibre by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and quality of the product. The certification process involves rigorous inspection and testing to ensure that the fibre meets the relevant standards, and only those fibres that pass the criteria are granted the BIS mark of quality. While obtaining BIS certification can be a time-consuming process, it offers several benefits, including increased consumer confidence, access to new markets, and a competitive advantage over non-certified products. Overall, BIS certification of viscose staple fibre is a positive step towards promoting quality standards in the Indian textile industry and protecting the interests of consumers.