Compulsory Registration System of Electronic Products (CRS)

Summary: India’s electronics market, worth US$ 81 billion by FY 2024, is growing rapidly and attracting interest from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. To ensure quality standards, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requires certain electronic products to be registered under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) before being sold in India. This plan covers approximately 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 laboratories and ensure that their products comply with Indian standards. The BIS license is valid for two years and can be renewed after review. The application process includes obtaining login credentials, creating a test request, and submitting a sample. Fees are stated for new applications, renewals, and joins, and additional fees are determined for extra test reports. CRS aims to protect consumers from substandard products while supporting the growth of India’s electronics sector.

India is one of the world’s largest electronics markets. According to an estimate, the size of the Indian electronics market is around USD 81 billion in FY 2024 and is expected to reach USD 106 billion in FY 2026. Even though the Indian government has provided many incentives for Make-In-India, still the Indian electronics market attracts the attention of many foreign sellers. Mobile phones take up most of the pie. In this article, we will examine the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) of products covered by the Bureau of Indian Standard, the National Standards Organization of India established under the BIS Act, 2016.

Mandatory Registration: Indian and foreign manufacturers have certain products (as reported) that must be registered with BIS and labeled with the BIS Standard Mark. This should be done before selling the products in the Indian market.

Scope of Products: Within the scope of the Mandatory Registration System, the scope of products (approximately 75 items) is classified as follows:

1. Electronic Products under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technologies. These include:

• electronic games
• Laptop, notebook, tablets
• mobile phones,
• Plasma, LCD, LED, Printers, scanners, keyboards
• Optical disc players
• electronic watches
• Adapters, UPS, Batteries, LED lights, cameras, barcode reader, ATM, Digital camera etc.
• 2.Solar energy systems affiliated with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• 3. Certain phosphoric acid under the Ministry of Chemistry
• 4.Cotton Bales Affiliated to the Ministry of Textiles

Registration Steps:

1. Get login credentials

2. Create a Test Request

3. Send Sample to Laboratory

4. Once approved, apply to the portal

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

Suitability:

For a producer to be eligible for the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS):

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

2. Apply for registration with BIS.

3. Test their products in a BIS recognized laboratory.

4. Ensure that the product meets Indian Standard Specifications.

5. Declare your compliance with the standards.

6. Log in to the BIS Registration Portal and upload the English business license.

Required Documents/Details:

• Declaration of Conformity
• Compliance of Test Report of Product Samples (Components and Raw Materials) Made by Third Party Testing Laboratory.
• Proof of name and address of the production unit and scope of business activity.
• Copy of confirmation received from the portal
• Details of Authorized Signatory and other relevant documents
• Details of samples to be tested by BIS
• Details of the Model/Varieties of the product will also be covered.

Validity of License:

• BIS licenses for electronic products are issued for a minimum of two years.
• If there are no problems during regular inspections, the license can be extended 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 expiration date.
• Renewal will only be considered if the application fee, annual fee, processing fees and outstanding dues are paid in full.

Fee Structure:

BIS Registration Fee for Electronic and IT Products

• Processing fee and registration fee are required for a minimum of 2 years.
• The above fee is for one test report. For each additional test report, an additional processing fee of Rs. 20,000 fee will be charged for New Application and participation.

The CRS Program aims to accelerate the rapidly expanding Electronics and IT sectors. At the same time, they protect Indian consumers from fake and substandard products and they have the right to enjoy products that comply with world-class quality.

If you are planning to enter the Indian market or acquire CRS, need support or have questions, you may want to contact us.

*****

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