Which Footwear Products Require a BIS License in India?

In India, where traditional craftsmanship meets modern manufacturing, the footwear industry plays a crucial role in both fashion and daily life.

To ensure the quality and safety of footwear products, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established guidelines and regulations.

Let's explore which footwear products require a BIS license in India and the significance of adhering to these standards.

Bureau of Indian Standards Certification

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a national standards body in India responsible for developing and promoting standards to ensure the quality and safety of products.

BIS Certification, or ISI certification, is a mandatory conformity assessment scheme implemented by BIS.

It aims to guarantee that products meet specified quality standards and adhere to safety regulations before they are introduced into the market.

The ISI mark, a certification mark issued by BIS, is a symbol of quality and conformity to standards.

Products bearing the ISI mark indicate that they have undergone testing and comply with the relevant Indian standards.

This certification is crucial for various products, including footwear products and more, ensuring consumer protection and promoting quality in the marketplace.

Role of BIS License for Footwear Products

The BIS license is a quality assurance mark, indicating that a footwear product complies with the defined standards.

On October 27th, 2020, the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced that all footwear manufacturers must secure a BIS Certificate for their products.

It was emphasized that all footwear must adhere to the relevant Indian Standards and carry the Standard Mark (ISI Mark).

This regulation is slated to take effect by July 1st, 2023, and beyond this deadline, manufacturers are allowed to engage in the production and sale of footwear with the mandated certification.

The absence of the ISI Mark renders the manufacturing and sale of leather and other material-based footwear illegal.

Failure to comply with this directive not only results in the prohibition of footwear production but also subjects manufacturers to criminal charges, potentially leading to imprisonment and substantial fines.

List of Footwear products requiring BIS Certification in India

Several categories of footwear products require BIS certification. These include:

●?????? Personal protective equipment Part-4 Occupational Footwear IS 15298 (Part-4)

●?????? Personal protective equipment Part-3 Protective Footwear IS 15298 (Part-3)

●?????? Personal protective equipment Part-2 Safety Footwear IS 15298 (Part-2)

●?????? Sports footwear IS 15844

●?????? Leather safety footwear with direct moulded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sole IS 14544

●?????? Leather safety footwear having direct moulded rubber sole IS 11226

●?????? Moulded plastics footwear-Lined or Unlined polyurethane boots for general industrial use IS 16645

●?????? Footwear for men and women for municipal scavenging work IS 16994

●?????? Industrial and protective rubber knee and ankle boots IS 5557

●?????? Moulded solid rubber soles and heels IS 5676

●?????? Rubber microcellular sheets for soles and heels IS 6664

●?????? Solid PVC soles and heels IS 6719

●?????? PVC sandal IS 6721

●?????? Rubber Hawai Chappal IS 10702

●?????? Polyvinyl chloride(PVC) industrial boots IS 12254

●?????? Polyurethane sole, semirigid IS 13893

●?????? Unlined moulded rubber boots IS 13995

●?????? Leather safety boots and shoes for miners IS 1989 (Part 1)

●?????? Canvas Shoes Rubber Sole IS 3735

●?????? Canvas Boots Rubber Sole IS 3736

●?????? Safety Rubber Canvas Boots for Miners IS 3976

●?????? Antiriot shoes IS 17037

●?????? Derby shoes IS 17043

●?????? Slipper, rubber IS 11544

●?????? High ankle tactical boots with PU-Rubber sole IS 17012

Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for Footwear Products

Quality Control Orders are issued by the Government of India under the BIS Act, specifying the quality standards for various products, including footwear.

These orders include:

●?????? (Quality Control Order) 2020 for Leather and other Materials Footwear

●?????? All-rubber and polymeric footwear (Quality Control) Order, 2022

●?????? (Quality Control) Order, 2020 for Personal Protective Equipment – Footwear

BIS Certification Procedure for Footwear Products

The certification process involves several steps:

Step 1: Application Submission

Manufacturers must submit an application to BIS for the desired product.

Step 2: Testing

BIS-approved laboratories conduct tests to ensure compliance with specified standards.

Step 3: Factory Inspection

BIS may conduct a factory inspection of the manufacturing facility to assess adherence to quality control measures.

Step 4: Granting of Certificate

Upon successful completion of tests and inspections, BIS grants the certification.

Required Documents to Obtain BIS License for Footwear Products

To initiate the certification process, manufacturers must submit the following documents:

●?????? Plant Layout

A preliminary illustration outlining the arrangement of machinery and the laboratory within the plant.

●?????? Machinery List

A comprehensive list of machinery in the prescribed format.

●?????? Testing Equipment List

A detailed inventory of testing equipment following the specified format.

●?????? Raw Materials List

An itemized record of raw materials as per the provided format.

●?????? Brand Details

Submission of the Trademark application copy for brand verification.

●?????? Plant Address Verification

Documentary proof establishing the authenticity of the plant address.

●?????? Business License

Submission of the official business license.

●?????? QCI Documents

Qualification Certificate and Identity Proof documents from the Quality Council of India.

●?????? Process Flow Chart

A visual representation of the production process, spanning from raw materials to the finished product.

●?????? Business Owner's Identity Proof

Documentary evidence establishing the identity of the business owner.

●?????? Calibration Certificates

Certificates verifying the calibration of equipment used in the manufacturing process.

●?????? Latest In-House Factory Test Report

The most recent report outlines the results of in-house factory tests.

Timeline and Validity of BIS Certification

Once obtained, a BIS license is valid for one year and requires annual renewal. Manufacturers must ensure continued compliance with standards to renew the certification.

The BIS certification process usually takes:

●?????? 30 to 45 days for Domestic manufacturers

●?????? 3 to 4 months for Foreign manufacturers

Conclusion

In conclusion, BIS certification is a crucial aspect of the Indian footwear industry, ensuring the production of high-quality and safe products.

For manufacturers, the journey to obtaining a BIS license may seem daunting. Still, with the dedicated support and expertise offered by Brand Liaison, the process becomes streamlined, efficient, and hassle-free.

Brand Liaison is a reliable manufacturer partner, providing valuable assistance and support in securing BIS Certificates swiftly and efficiently.

With our expertise, manufacturers can focus on what they do best – innovating and crafting exceptional footwear – while we handle regulatory compliance challenges.

Author: Brand Liaison

Website: https://www.bl-india.com.

Posted By: Tannu Jain