Scheme X Certification
For Voltage Switchgear and Controlgear
Introduction
BIS Scheme X certification will be essential for manufacturers who wish to comply with national and international quality standards. Under Scheme X, BIS is responsible for monitoring the quality and safety of low-voltage switchgear used for protection, control, and power distribution.
What is the BIS Scheme X Certification?
The Bureau of Indian Standards created Scheme-X Certification to address the safety and quality of low-voltage switchgear and control gear items. BIS substituted Scheme X for Scheme II to guarantee the safety and quality of low-voltage switchgear. The Bureau of Indian Standards, the nation’s standards organization, is responsible for overseeing the development of quality certification, marking, and standardization for all Indian products. The Scheme X regulations of 2018 and the BIS Act of 2016 only provide producers with recommendations to ensure that their products meet specific requirements. It also ensures:
- Smooth market access.
- Consumer trust.
- Meeting regulatory standards.
- Prevention of Legal Hassles
- Enhanced manufacturing
The plan improves the reliability of electrical systems while also protecting infrastructure and consumers against electrical incidents. Compared to Scheme II, Scheme X covers a wider range of trading products and incorporates new producer requirements.
The extension of surveillance and monitoring, the requirement to follow the Indian IS 60947 set of standards, and the notable improvement in low-voltage switchgear safety and quality are the key features of Scheme X.
- Under this Scheme, manufacturers have the opportunity to obtain a license for demonstrating the conformity of goods or articles, hereafter referred to as products, to specified requirements. These requirements are outlined in the relevant standard or essential requirements specified for the product, or both.
- Manufacturers may choose to demonstrate the conformity of their management system to the specified requirements outlined in the standard, following the provisions set out in Scheme II of the regulation.
- The Indian manufacturers and importers must meet the performance and testing standards in the series of Indian standards defined in IS 60947.
- The Bureau of Indian Standards conducts initial and periodic audits at manufacturers’ and importers’ facilities to ensure compliance. However, manufacturers and importers must apply for a new license or registration under Scheme X upon the expiration of existing ones.
BIS Scheme X Certification for Indian Manufacturers
As part of the ISI Mark Certification Scheme, Indian manufacturers are authorized to use the ISI mark sign on their goods. To receive certification, manufacturers must ensure that their products conform to the relevant Indian Standards (IS). This is done through quality control system assessments, factory visits, and product testing. After acceptance, BIS issues a license for the use of the ISI mark on products and packaging. In addition to increasing consumer confidence, this certification is necessary for regulated products to be sold. BIS conducts frequent audits and sample tests to ensure consistency. Scheme X is important to manufacturers of commodities like electrical equipment, cement, steel and pressure cookers.
BIS Scheme X Certificate for Foreign Manufacturers for Export to India
The BIS Scheme X certification, is mandatory for foreign companies that export to India. It is certified by the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). This license can only be applied for by the actual foreign manufacturer, not by a trader or importer. Throughout the process, the BIS representatives will conduct item and plant inspections. An Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) must be appointed to represent the application and engage with BIS. Following approval, the manufacturer is permitted to use the license number with a unique number to affix the ISI emblem to the product.
Non-compliance can result in rejection by customs, fines, or legal action under Indian regulatory laws. Therefore, manufacturers must get the BIS Scheme X Certificate for export to India to continue functioning in an unhindered manner.
BIS Scheme X License for Importers
Under the BIS Scheme X (ISI Mark Certification), the license is granted only to the actual manufacturer, not to importers. Under the FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme), importers are required to confirm that the foreign producer possesses an active BIS ISI Mark license before exporting such regulated products to India. The product must meet the applicable Indian Standard (IS) and have the ISI mark and license number before it can be imported. This license is necessary under QCOs for items such as electrical equipment, pressure vessels, cookware, and steel bars. The Indian government may take legal action, impose fines, or even seize goods if they are imported without certifications. BIS Scheme X ensures smooth import, legal distribution, and consumer safety compliance.
Why is BIS Scheme-X Certification Mandatory for Manufacturers?
The scheme-X Certification holds significance to manufacturers who have operations in the Indian market in more than one way:
- Scheme-X Certification guarantees the companies that manufacturers comply with the quality and safety standards required by the Bureau of Indian Standards, and the companies have the capacity to establish themselves in the Indian market.
- Granting certification under Scheme-X will demonstrate that the producer is serious about product quality and safety, hence heightening consumer confidence in its products. Thus, BIS compliance management during export of goods to India as well as during domestic production and importing is an inseparable demand of the market.
- Scheme-X Certification assists manufacturers in adhering to the national standards as described by the BIS Act 2016 and Regulations 2018, which in turn helps them to evade legal troubles and legal fees.
- Following the policies and guidelines contained in Scheme-X, low-voltage switchgear and control gear manufacturers will increase the quality of their manufacturing production, resulting in improved performance and reliability.
- Scheme-X certification understands the safety of electrical infrastructures as well as consumers using the system to minimize the chance of electrical hazards and enhance the generalized safety measures in power distribution, control, and protection systems.
Horizon Business Solutions is specialised in guiding manufacturers through the BIS Scheme-X Certification. Drawing on our experience, you will be able to go through the certification process smoothly and rest assured that your products are not only compliant with, but also reliable and can be deployed.
Please contact the Horizon Business Solutions to have speedy BIS Scheme X Certification services done immediately!