BIS Scheme-X Certification

BIS Scheme-X Certification

Machinery & Electrical Equipment Safety Compliance in India

Introduction to BIS Scheme-X

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced Scheme-X on 16 March 2022 to regulate high-risk machinery, electrical equipment, and industrial assemblies under a robust conformity assessment framework.

Scheme-X enables Indian and foreign manufacturers to obtain a BIS Licence or Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for machinery, electrical equipment, low-voltage switchgear, control gear, and related assemblies before placing them in the Indian market.

Products certified under Scheme-X comply with stringent Indian safety standards, ensuring product reliability, regulatory compliance, and consumer confidence.

What is Scheme-X Certification?

Scheme-X is a product certification scheme notified under:

• BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
• BIS Conformity Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, 2022

The scheme is designed to align Indian machinery and electrical safety regulations with global standards, particularly for industrial and high-risk products.

Under Scheme-X, manufacturers must demonstrate compliance through:

• Technical documentation
• Factory audits
• Witness testing
• BIS-approved conformity assessment

Omnibus Technical Regulation (OTR), 2024

The Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulation) Order, 2024 was notified by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) on 28 August 2024.

Effective Date

28 August 2025

Objective

To ensure that machinery and electrical equipment sold or imported in India meet uniform safety and technical standards under BIS Scheme-X.

Scope of OTR & Scheme-X

The regulation applies to:

• Machinery & electrical equipment
• Assemblies, sub-assemblies, and components

Key Exemptions

• Products already covered under other BIS Section-16 Orders
• Machinery manufactured exclusively for export
• Construction equipment governed under CMVR Rules, 1989 (MoRTH)

Products Covered Under BIS Scheme-X

Low-Voltage Switchgear & Controlgear

(As notified by Ministry of Heavy Industries)

• Circuit breakers (AC/DC, Category A & B)
• Switches, disconnectors, fuse units
• Contactors & motor starters
• Control circuit devices
• Emergency stop devices (As per IS/IEC 60947 series)

Machinery & Electrical Equipment Under OTR

Includes (but not limited to):

• Pumps & compressors
• Cranes & lifting equipment
• Construction & mining machinery
• Machine tools (metal, stone, ceramics, concrete)
• Textile machinery (looms, embroidery machines)
• Transformers & generators
• Diesel generator sets
• Power semiconductor converters
• Switchgear (≤1000V & >1000V)

(HS codes as notified under OTR 2024)

BIS Scheme-X Certification Mark

Products certified under Scheme-X bear the BIS Standard Mark:

• Indian Standard Number at the top
• Licence Number (CM/L-XXXXXXXXXX) at the bottom

Marking a product without a valid BIS licence is a punishable offence under the BIS Act, 2016.

Scheme-I vs Scheme-X – Key Differences

If you manufacture machinery or electrical safety equipment, Scheme-X is mandatory.

Safety Standards Under Scheme-X

Manufacturers must comply with:

• Type-A Standards

  IS 16819:2018 / ISO 12100 – Risk Assessment & Risk Reduction

• Type-B Standards

  As per Second Schedule of OTR

• Type-C Standards

  As per Third Schedule of OTR

• IS/IEC 60947 Series

  Low-Voltage Switchgear & Controlgear

Core Safety Requirements

• Electrical safety
• Mechanical integrity
• Fire resistance
• Environmental compliance
• Quality management controls

Documents Required for BIS Scheme-X Certification

Pre-Registration Details

• Manufacturer name & addresses (factory & office)
• PAN & GST details
• Contact details
• Authorized signatory details
• Product description & variants
• Equipment details as per OTR Schedule

Technical Documentation

• Technical file & compliance report
• Product drawings & specifications
• Manufacturing process flow
• Risk assessment & test reports
• Quality control records

Steps to Obtain BIS Scheme-X Certification

1. Applicability Assessment
2. Technical File Preparation
3. Online Registration on BIS Manak Portal
4. Application Submission & Fee Payment
5. Factory Audit
   • 2 days (Domestic)
   • 3 days (Foreign)
6. Sample Testing (Witness / BIS Lab)
7. Grant of BIS Licence or CoC

Certification Procedure Timeline

Domestic Manufacturers

Approx. 90 working days

Foreign Manufacturers

Approx. 6–7 months

(Timeline may vary based on testing scope & audit complexity)

Additional Points for Foreign Manufacturers

• Classified as Large Scale under BIS norms
• Mandatory appointment of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)
• On-site factory audits required
• Sample testing at BIS-recognized labs

BIS Scheme-X Certification Fees (Indicative)

Validity & Renewal

• Licence Validity: 3 to 6 years
• Renewal: Same duration
• CoC: One-time production (non-renewable)

Conclusion

BIS Scheme-X Certification is mandatory for manufacturers of machinery, electrical equipment, and low-voltage switchgear covered under OTR 2024.

Compliance ensures:

• Product safety & reliability
• Legal market access in India
• Reduced regulatory risk
• Enhanced customer confidence

Why Choose Qualitance India for BIS Scheme-X?

Qualitance India provides end-to-end BIS Scheme-X consultancy, including:

• Applicability & gap assessment
• Factory audit readiness
• BIS liaison & testing coordination
• Licence & CoC management

We help manufacturers navigate complex regulations with clarity and confidence.

Delhi | Serving PAN-India & Global Manufacturers

Email: info@qualitanceindia.com