Reply: There is no roadmap to notify the standard against products classified in specific tariff headings and sub headings.
b) Compliance with the BIS regulations is complex, which is evident from the following;
i) Foreign manufactures must set up a liaison/branch office in India to obtain a license or nominate an authorized representative in India. This entails extra expenditure and may result the imports uncompetitive in India.
Reply: Maintenance of office is not mandatory if an authorized Indian representative is appointed, who is responsible for due compliance of terms and conditions of Agreement signed between BIS and licensed manufacturer and also the provisions of BIS Act, Rules and Regulations.
ii) BIS certificate is given against a fee which varies according to product for one year. It requires renewal against a fee which may be prohibitive depending upon the volume of imports.
Reply: Fees is charged from a manufacturer from SAARC country in the same manner as from Indian industry. There is no difference on this aspect between Indian or foreign manufacturer from SAARC countries.
iii) It may take more than a year in most cases to get the certification.
Reply: The licence to a foreign manufacturer is normally granted within a period of six months. It is possible to adhere to this time limit provided the applicant takes timely actions regarding his preparedness for the visit, arranging the preliminary inspection, sending samples to the designated laboratory, depositing testing charges with the laboratory, and completion of all other stipulated requirements towards grant of licence etc. In case of Pakistan security issues at times also cause delay.
Iv) Is it true that non manufacturer exporter cannot export these products to India?
Reply: Products covered under mandatory certification need to be BIS certified before entry into India. There is at present no bar on a non manufacturer exporter to supply the products in India provided such products have been manufactured by a manufacturer having a valid BIS licence and the products bear the BIS certification mark.
v) Is there any roadmap to soften the stringent procedures to obtain BIS certification?
