How to apply for license in BIS

As you all know that the Bureau of Indian Standards has decided to bring all the products of wood based products (plywood and panels) under the purview of Quality Control Order. According to the information received, out of the total 3400 units working in wood based products in the country, only about 700-800 units have the BIS license and all the remaining companies will have to get the license as soon as possible. But in today’s environment, it is also very important to understand what is the process of license and where should we be careful, while taking the license; today we will try to bring all these aspects to you through this article.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has basically combined two processes for obtaining a license, the first is the Normal Procedure and the second is the Simplified Procedure. It is worth noting here that for those products which come under the purview of the Quality Control Order, the second process i.e. the Simplified Procedure will be applicable and not the Normal Procedure. Therefore, whenever you decide to obtain a license for any of your products, you will have to apply through the Simplified Procedure only. This process is specially designed to reduce the delay in processing your application. If you apply for a license according to this process, then the Bureau is committed to provide you the license within (a maximum of) 30 days of application. We can understand the process of getting the license through the following steps:

Step 1. Filling up your company’s registration form for application

The process starts with the filling up the company’s registration form on the Manakonline portal. Many types of information related to the industry are sought in it, which includes MSME certificate, phone number, email address, GST number etc. The important thing here is to always use (without fail) the MSME certificate in the documents related to the registration of the firm. Because any kind of exemption given to you is given on the basis of this certificate. By submitting this, the possibility of error in the exemption, to get later on, also ends.

Step 2. Applying for samples testing

After registration on the Manak portal, you have to create a test request on the portal for all the samples of the product for which you want to apply. In which details of the product’s Indian standard number, type and grade, dimensions, core veneer, face veneer, frame and filler etc. are filled and to choose any one of the available labs. As soon as you create the test request letter, a copy of it automatically goes to the selected lab for information. Now you can pack the samples as per the test request and send them directly to the lab and after a few days you can check the status of the sample report again on the (Test Request Objections) Manak portal.

Generally it takes 30 days for the final report to come but it also depends on the choice of lab, the lab which has the least number of samples pending, is likely to get the report soon.

Step 3. Applying for license

As soon as, report of the samples sent by you appears on the Manak portal, you should file the application without delay by selecting the “Apply for License” icon through the portal itself. But before filing the application, you must have access tp some important documents, in different PDF document forms, like MSME Certificate, Partnership Deed or Memorandum of Association -Factory Layout-Certificate of Quality Control Incharge (and his passport size photo) List of Plant and Machinery-List of Lab Equipment-Calibration Certificates.

It is reminded, that your application should be submitted within (a maximum of) 90 days from the date of uploading the report by the lab on the portal, otherwise your application request can also be cancelled by the BIS. After the application is completely submitted, the factory is visited by the BIS in approximately 10 days. Therefore, it is best to inspect your preparations before applying. One important point to note, is that at the end of this application process, you also have to deposit one year’s advance marking fee. So keep in mind that the marking fee to be deposited should be in accordance with the exemption given.

Step 4. Factory Visit by Indian Standards

After you apply, the BIS officers plan a visit to your factory immediately after scrutiny of the information given in the application form. In which the officers check the information given in the application form one by one in the factory and after fulfilling all the requirements, the sample of the final applied product is sent to the outside lab for testing.

About a week after the visit is completed, the license is granted to the firm by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The information of which again reaches you through the standard portal. In which the firm is given a unique ten-digit number. And after that the firm can start marking by getting the screen made as per the applied product manual. To start marking, it is best to send an information letter and a copy of the (made) screen to your nearest standard office.

Step 5. Subsequent monitoring after certification

Now there is a process to check whether the standards set by BIS are being followed or not after getting the certificate. This work will be done by a team under the supervision of BIS. This team will inspect the factory from time to time and take samples etc. and test them.

Step 6. Renewal of certificate

This certificate will be for a time period (generally one year). After this, the certificate will have to be renewed again. Therefore, it has to be kept in mind, that before the expiry date of the certificate, the formalities of the certificate should be completed again.