Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) of Electronic Products

Summary: India’s electronic market, valued at USD 81 billion in FY 2024, is growing rapidly, attracting both domestic and foreign manufacturers. To ensure quality standards, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mandates that certain electronic products be registered under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) before they are sold in India. This scheme covers about 75 product categories, including mobile phones, laptops, solar systems, and various electronic accessories. Manufacturers must apply for BIS registration, submit product samples for testing at recognized labs, and ensure their products conform to Indian standards. The BIS license is valid for two years and can be renewed upon inspection. The application process involves obtaining login credentials, generating a test request, and submitting a sample. Fees for new applications, renewals, and inclusions are specified, with additional charges for extra test reports. The CRS aims to protect consumers from substandard goods while supporting India’s electronics sector growth.

India is one of the largest electronics markets in the world. As per one estimate, the size of the Indian electronics market is around USD 81 billion in FY 2024 which is poised to reach to USD 106 billion in FY 2026. Though Indian government has provided lot of incentives for Make-In-India, still Indian electronic market is attracting many foreign sellers. Mobile phones occupies the major portion of the pie. In this article, we are going to explore Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) of the products under Bureau of Indian Standard, which is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act, 2016.

Compulsory Registration: There are certain products (as notified) of Indian and foreign manufacturers which must be registered with BIS and labelled them with BIS Standard Mark. This must be done before selling the products in the Indian market.

Coverage of the Products: Under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, the coverage of products (around 75)  are categorized as below:

1. Electronics Products under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. These include:

• Electronic games
• Laptop, notebook, tablets
• Mobile phones,
• Plasma, LCD, LED, Printers, scanners, keyboards
• Optical disc players
• Electronic clocks
• Adaptors, UPS, Batteries, LED lights, cameras, barcode reader, ATM, Digital camera etc
• 2.Solar voltaic systems under Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• 3.Certain phosphoric acid under Ministry of Chemicals
• 4.Cotton Bales under Ministry of Textiles

 Steps of Registration:

1. Obtain Login credentials

2. Generate Test Request

3. Submit Sample to Lab

4. Apply on the portal on receipt of confirmation

Each step has sub-steps in order to complete the process of registration.

Eligibility :

To be eligible for the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), a manufacturer must:

1. Be the factory owner of a product covered under the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO).

2. Apply for registration with the BIS.

3. Test their product at a BIS-recognized lab.

4. Ensure the product meets Indian Standard Specifications.

5. Self-declare conformity to the standards.

6. Create a login on the BIS Registration Portal and upload a business license in English.

Documents/Details Required :

• Self-Declaration of Conformity
• Test Report Conformity by Third-Party Testing Laboratory of Product Samples (Components and Raw Materials).
• Name and Address proof of the manufacturing unit and the scope of business activity.
• Copy of acknowledgement received from the portal
• Details of Authorized Signatory and other related documents
• Details of the samples to be tested by BIS
• Also, the details of the product’s Models/Varieties to be covered

Validity of License:

• BIS licenses for electronic products are issued for a minimum of two years.
• If there are no issues during regular inspections, the license can be renewed for another two years upon request.
• To avoid expiration, the renewal application and required fees must be submitted within 90 days of the license’s validity date.
• The renewal will be considered only if the application fee, annual fee, processing charges, and any outstanding dues are paid in full.

Fee Structure :

The Fee for BIS Registration for Electronic and IT Goods

• The Processing fee & registration fee is required for minimum 2 year.
• The above fee is for one test report. For each additional test report, an additional processing fee of Rs. 20,000 will be charged for the New Application and inclusion.

The CRS Scheme envisages providing momentum to rapidly expanding sectors of Electronics and IT. It also protects the Indian consumers from spurious and substandard products and they get the right to enjoy the world class quality compliant goods.

In case you are planning to enter Indian market or to obtain CRS, or need any support or have any query, you may like to connect with us.

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Abhinarayan Mishra FCA, FCS, LL.B, IP, RV; Partner, KPAM & Associates, Chartered Accountants, New Delhi ; +91 9990013755; +91 9910744992; [email protected]; [email protected]