The Department of Consumer Affairs on 8th December 2021 has published the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2021 to further amend the Bureau of Indian Standards (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.
The Conformity Assessment Scheme, which is based on combination of product certification and management system along with process requirements, if applicable, the Bureau may grant licence to use or apply Standard Mark for goods or article manufactured in a manufacturing premises which conform to all requirements of Indian Standards for that product and demonstrates conformity of management system to the relevant Indian Standards and conformity to process requirements, as specified.
The grant of licence and its operation shall be done in accordance with the processes described below:
- The manufacturer shall identify-
- the applicable Indian Standard for the product, and the applicable management system, as required, Indian Standard against which it intends to obtain a licence.
- the machinery available in manufacturing premises and prepare a list and if any part of the manufacturing activity is outsourced, details of controls exercised shall be indicated.
- the test equipment required to carry out testing in accordance with the relevant Indian Standard, relevant inspection and testing plan and prepare a list of the available equipment;
- for the tests which are permitted to be sub-contracted and not available with the manufacturer, he shall identify test facility outside the factory where such tests can be carried out and inform the same to the Bureau.
(b) the manufacturer shall submit inspection and testing plan which it proposes to implement in its day to day production so as to ensure that the final product conforms to the relevant Indian Standard;
(c) the manufacturer shall ensure that the product has been tested for conformity with all requirements of the Indian Standard.
The manufacturer may apply for grant of licence with all relevant documents as per Form – I annexed to this Scheme and the Bureau shall arrange audit for assessment of production process, conformity of product, management system and process requirements, as required, in consultation with the manufacturer.
The decision on grant of licence shall be taken when the Bureau is satisfied that the manufacturer has necessary infrastructure for manufacturing quality product on a continuous basis, the test results indicate conformity of the product to the specified requirements, management system, as specified, is in conformity with the relevant Indian Standard and the process compliance is as required and as specified.
The licence to use Standard Mark shall normally be granted for a period of three years and it shall be extended or reduced in case of revision or superseding of applicable Indian Standard.
