Bureau of Indian Standards
Why in News?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is recently in the news due to the 2026 Conformity Assessment Amendment Regulations, which significantly extended the validity of licences from two years to five years to boost the "Ease of Doing Business."
Role and Structure
- National Standards Body: Established under the BIS Act, 2016, it is the apex body for standardization, marking, and quality certification in India.
- Ministry: Operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
- Core Activities: Develops Indian Standards (IS), manages product certification (ISI Mark), hallmarking, and laboratory services.
Key Certification Schemes
- ISI Mark (Scheme-I): The most recognized mark for industrial and consumer goods like cement, steel, and electrical appliances.
- CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme): Mandatory for electronics and IT products (laptops, mobile phones, and now AR/VR headsets).
- Hallmarking: Mandatory for gold and silver jewellery to protect consumers against adulteration.
- FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme): Specifically for overseas manufacturers wishing to export products to India.
Major 2026 Regulatory Changes
- Annual Advance Payment: Fees must now be paid annually in advance to maintain licence validity, replacing the previous renewal-based payment model.
- Production Statements: Manufacturers must now submit mandatory annual production statements alongside their fees for better market monitoring.
- Automatic Suspension: Failure to pay the annual fee by the due date now results in automatic suspension for 90 days, with no 21-day prior notice period.
- Standard Updates: Significant shift to IS/IEC 62368-1:2023 for electronics, a modern hazard-based safety standard aligned with international benchmarks.
Concessions and Support
- Startups & Women Entrepreneurs: BIS offers up to 80% concession on the Minimum Marking Fee for startups and micro-enterprises until May 2029.
- North Eastern States: Special fee relaxations are provided to encourage industrial growth in the North East.
Future Deadlines to Watch
- August 2, 2026: Transition deadline for the updated Lighting Standards (Luminaires and LED drivers).
- September 1, 2026: Mandatory certification begins for heavy machinery (cranes, pumps, compressors) under Scheme-X.
- December 1, 2026: Deadline for large enterprises to comply with the new Aluminium QCO.
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