Electronic, IT goods need to clear BIS test from July

By July, fifteen categories of electronic and IT products would be barred from selling in the Indian market if they fail to meet the safety standards set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This will apply to both goods manufactured in the country as well as imported goods. The products list includes laptops, tablets, notebooks, plasma/LCD/LED televisions, optical disc players, set top boxes, microwave ovens, scanners and printers among others. 

"Department of Electronics and Information Technology brought out this notification in the wake of sub-standard electronic products - mostly from China - flooding the Indian market," said a senior BIS official. 

Poor quality products are causing health issues and there are safety concerns as well, the official said. Of late, there have been several complaints against sub-standard products that are causing hazardous accidents. BIS has designed a new set of 'Indian Standards (IS)' that enlists norms for consumers' safety and health. This standard is different from the usual ISI marks BIS has for several products. 

"No person shall by himself or through any person on his behalf manufacture or store for sale, import, sell or distribute goods, which do not conform to the specified standard and do not bear the words 'self declaration' - conforming to IS (relevant Indian Standards) on such goods after obtaining registration from the bureau," said the BIS notification to all electronic and IT goods manufacturers. 

Manufacturers would need to get a sample of these fifteen products tested at BIS accredited labs and get a safety clearance certificate. "Products would bear a self declaration from the company that they meet the safety criteria set by BIS," said the official. 

Notified in October, the last date for the manufacturers to get the clearance was April 3. This has now been extended to July due to reluctance from importers. "Till now, we have received 20 applications and 100 test reports. We are expecting over 10,000 applications from manufacturers and importers selling these products in the Indian market," said the official dealing with this matter. 

Once enforced, BIS would also inspect the market and manufacturing units and seize goods, which do not have safety clearance. iT has also made arrangements to seize such imports at the customs level.