BIS Certificate of Conformity (CoC) – Scheme IV

BIS Certificate of Conformity (CoC) – Scheme IV

Introduction

To build a robust national quality ecosystem that benefits both industry and consumers, the development and enforcement of standards is essential. As the National Standards Body of India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) plays a pivotal role in the formulation of Indian Standards, conformity assessment, product certification, and quality assurance.

Under the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, BIS is empowered to carry out conformity assessment of goods, articles, services, systems, and processes through various certification schemes. One such important mechanism is the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), which assures that products comply with applicable Indian Standards.

BIS Conformity Assessment Schemes provide confidence to consumers regarding quality, safety, and reliability and support effective consumer protection. For products notified under mandatory compliance, obtaining a BIS Certificate of Conformity is compulsory.

What is BIS Certificate of Conformity (CoC)?

The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is issued by BIS under Scheme IV of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Under this scheme, BIS grants a CoC to manufacturers whose products:

  • Are manufactured in accordance with the relevant Indian Standards
  • Comply with specified essential requirements
  • Meet BIS requirements related to manufacturing infrastructure, quality control, and testing capability

Each product covered under mandatory CoC must:

  • Carry a unique CoC Number
  • Be manufactured using BIS Standard Marked (ISI-marked) materials, wherever applicable

Several products are brought under mandatory CoC requirements through Quality Control Orders (QCOs) issued by the Government of India in the interest of public safety, national security, consumer interest, and prevention of unfair trade practices.

Assessment & Grant of CoC

The Certificate of Conformity is granted only after a satisfactory evaluation of the manufacturer, which includes:

  • Assessment of manufacturing infrastructure
  • Verification of production processes
  • Review of quality control systems
  • Evaluation of in-house and/or outsourced testing facilities
  • On-site factory inspection by BIS officials

The manufacturer must clearly identify and demonstrate compliance with:

  • Applicable Indian Standard(s)
  • Specific parts or clauses of the standard
  • Essential requirements relevant to the product

Only products manufactured at the assessed facility and conforming to the approved requirements are granted the CoC.

Products Covered Under BIS CoC (Scheme IV)

As of now, BIS has notified the following products under the Certificate of Conformity scheme:

  1. Stampings / Laminations / Cores of Transformers (with or without winding)
  2. Retro-Reflective Devices for Bicycles

(The list may be expanded by BIS through future Quality Control Orders.)

Process to Obtain BIS Certificate of Conformity

Step 1: Documentation Preparation

The applicant prepares and compiles all required documents and technical information in accordance with BIS guidelines.

Step 2: Application Filing

The application for BIS CoC is submitted online through the BIS portal under Scheme IV.

Step 3: Submission of Documents & Test Reports

The applicant submits:

  • Completed application form
  • Applicable government fees
  • Conforming test report issued by a third-party laboratory for the product sample

Step 4: Scrutiny of Application

BIS reviews the application and documents for completeness and technical correctness.

Step 5: Factory Inspection

A BIS inspection team visits the manufacturing facility to verify:

  • Manufacturing process
  • Testing and quality control infrastructure
  • Compliance with Inspection & Testing Plan (ITP)

Step 6: Grant of Certificate of Conformity

Upon satisfactory inspection and finalization of the ITP, BIS grants the Certificate of Conformity (CoC).

Post-Certification Obligations

After obtaining the CoC, the manufacturer must:

  • Comply with the terms and conditions of the certificate
  • Follow the approved Inspection & Testing Plan
  • Use only ISI-marked materials, where applicable
  • Cooperate with BIS during market surveillance and factory surveillance

Validity & Renewal of CoC

  • Initial Validity: Minimum 1 year, maximum 2 years
  • Renewal Period: 1 to 5 years
  • Renewal Application: Must be submitted at least 3 months before expiry

Failure to renew on time may result in suspension or cancellation of the certificate.

Legal Implications

Qualitance India provides end-to-end consultancy support for BIS Certificate of Conformity (CoC), including:

  • Applicability assessment under Scheme IV
  • Documentation and application support
  • Coordination with testing laboratories
  • Factory inspection preparation
  • Inspection & Testing Plan finalization
  • Post-certification compliance support

We assist manufacturers in navigating BIS regulatory requirements smoothly, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and timely approvals.

Conclusion

For manufacturers of products notified under the BIS Certificate of Conformity Scheme, obtaining and maintaining a valid CoC is mandatory. The presence of BIS certification assures compliance with Indian Standards and reinforces product credibility in the market.

With Qualitance India as your compliance partner, you can confidently meet BIS requirements and focus on delivering quality products that meet national standards.

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