The need to become certified has now become more of a strategy rather than a procedure in the highly regulated and quality-focused business environment in India. Businesses are now expected to show compliance of their products and systematic operational control in regulatory authorities, customers, corporate buyers, and international markets.
Consequently, the following terms are likely to be met regularly: BIS certification, ISO certification, BIS and ISO, BIS ISO management system, and ISO certification by BIS. These terms however, are misused or confused and used interchangeably thus resulting in gap in compliance and delays in operations.
In Induce India, emphasis is made in bringing sanity to compliance. Businesses should have a clear knowledge on which certifications are necessary, what each certification means and how to make it effective without taking it too far.
This paper describes the major distinction between the BIS and ISO certification in India, the requirements of the two and gives a working strategy of compliance to businesses.
In India, BIS Certification is Simply Referred to as the Understanding of the Product in the Market
The national standards body of India is the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which regulates BIS certification. Its major mandate is to make sure that any product produced, imported or sold in India is in compliance with set Indian Standards, in terms of safety, quality and performance.
BIS certification is mainly a product based one that is mandated in certain product categories that are listed by Government of India. The products that are subjected to the mandatory BIS certification are not allowed to be manufactured, imported, distributed, or sold without prior BIS approval.
This renders BIS certification a requirement instead of a quality standard which is voluntary.
The electronics and electrical products, building and construction materials, industrial and engineering goods, consumer products, and personal protection or safety equipment are some of the industries that are usually subjected to BIS certification.
In the case of such products, it is mandatory that BIS certification be done in order to ensure legal entry into the market, and operations in India to proceed.
Introduction to ISO Certification And Requirements
The certification of ISO is founded on the standards that are created by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). The ISO certification, in contrast to BIS certification, does not consider products individually. Rather, it concentrates on the way a company runs the processes and systems.
The areas that are evaluated during ISO certification are quality control, operational consistency, risk management, documentation, internal audits and continuous improvement.
In spite of the fact that ISO certification is technically voluntary, it has been turned into a commercial necessity. Government contracts, corporate customers, global companies, and export market often demand the presence of an ISO certification as a source of credible and organized businesses.
The typical example of ISO standards that are implemented by Indian businesses are the ISO 9001, the quality management standard, the ISO 14001, the environmental management standard, ISO 45001, the occupational health and safety standard, and the ISO 27001, the information security management standard.
The benefits of ISO certification to an organization are to minimize mistakes, increase productivity, customer satisfaction, and creating scalable systems.
There are Significant Differences Between BIS and ISO Certification as Indicated Below
The major distinction between the BIS and ISO certification is in their scope, purpose, and use.
| BIS Certification | ISO Certification |
|---|---|
| Product-based | System-based |
| Compulsory in case of notified products | Most voluntary |
| India application valid around the world | Universally applicable |
| Concentrates on product quality and safety | Concentrates on the management practices |
These differences notwithstanding, BIS and ISO are very much related in spite of these differences. Most of the Indian Standards that are provided by BIS have been aligned with the similar standards in the ISO and thus Indian businesses are able to satisfy local as well as global requirements.
Those organisations with BIS and ISO certification have a high compliance with the regulations but with an internationally recognised operational discipline.
What Does BIS ISO Certification In Practice Mean?
Different name The term BIS ISO certification is not a combined certificate offered by BIS and ISO. Rather, it characterizes those organisations that are in conformance with both both BIS product standards and ISO management system standards.
As an illustration, a manufacturer might have been granted BIS certification of regulated products, but have ISO 9001 certification of its quality management system.
This compliance regime enhances compliance, consistency in operations and credibility of the market.
At Induce India, the businesses are coached with regards to practicing this integrated compliance strategy in a practical and business aligned way.
The BIS ISO Management System Role
BIS ISO management system is a formalized system an organization applies to address ISO requirements and yet be in tandem with the relevant Indian regulatory requirements.
These systems establish role and responsibilities, process controls, performance monitoring, good documentation and record keeping.
Management systems based on ISO assist organizations to maintain the same level of quality, improve workplace safety, control the impact on the environment and safeguard confidential information, and to maintain the continued compliance with the regulations.
These systems would make audits easier and lead to better operational performance in the event that they are well implemented.
Crafting an Effective Compliance Strategy Requires a Rational and Reactive Strategy to Stay Pertinent and Beneficial Within the Country, Particularly in the Global Marketplace
To become relevant and beneficial in the country and especially in the global market, the development of an effective compliance strategy needs to be a rational and responsive strategy.
A good strategy of BIS and ISO compliance starts with the awareness of regulatory requirements and business goals. The certifications are not needed by all organizations, and it is also good to have a combination mechanism that would be based on the product type, industry, and expectations of the market.
A structured compliance approach will normally entail the identification of mandatory BIS requirements, identification of applicable ISO standards, adoption of feasible management systems, and the continuity of monitoring and enhancement.
Treatment should be as a process, as opposed to a certification that is one time.
Induce India concentrates on assisting companies in developing sustainable compliance frameworks that would integrate smoothly with the day to day operations.
How Induce India Company Helps in BIS And ISO Certification
Induce India has a structured and clear certification and compliance.
This involves knowledge of the business model and the product portfolio, required certification that is mandated versus voluntary, BIS, ISO or combined certification recommendation, documentation and system implementation support.
Co-ordination with certification bodies, preparation of audit, surveillance audit and renewals also are offered to ensure long-term stability of compliance.
Conclusion
The purpose of BIS and ISO certification in the Indian business ecosystem is different though complementary. BIS guarantees the compliance of products by national regulations, and ISO enhances the organization system and credibility worldwide.
When they are under a unified strategic placement, they offer a great base of regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
At Induce India, companies are assisted in negotiating the BIS and ISO certification with brevity and assurance and turn compliance into a strategic edge, as opposed to a regulatory liability.
Author bio: Raja is a member of the Marketing Team at Induce India, a company dedicated to simplifying and guiding businesses through the process of achieving BIS and ISO certifications. With a focus on practical, sustainable compliance strategies, Induce India helps businesses enhance operational efficiency and achieve long-term growth. To learn more about BIS and ISO certifications or for expert compliance assistance, visit Induce India.
