BIS Certificate for mobile phones is very important because today everyone is using the same. In order for the safety of the customer it is really important for the manufacturers to get the BIS Certification for mobile phones. Cell handsets have become an integral part of our daily life. It used to be a communication device only, but nowadays it has evolved as an irreplaceable device that has developed itself as a tool for everything ranging from dialling calls to conducting complex business transactions, hence the importance of the BIS Certification for mobile phones is important. With time, cellular phones have become pocket computers with cameras, internet, memory, and thousands of apps. In business, emergencies, relaxation, or personal use, cellular phones cannot be replaced, but in order to their safe use one can get BIS Certification for mobile phones. 

India, with more than 1.5 billion mobile subscribers (and almost 750 million smartphone subscribers), is among the world's largest cellular phone markets. With mass consumption transcending all age groups, it is most imperative that the products are safe for health and safety. For this purpose, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has rendered BIS Certification for mobile phones compulsory for all mobile phone models under IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) with effect from September 13, 2015.

Basic Requisite for the BIS Certification for Mobile Phones

BIS Certification for mobile phones has four pillars. They are obligatory for all firms willing to become registered:

1.Manufacturer Eligibility

You can only choose BIS registration by the manufacturer of the product, neither traders, importers, or dealers. An importer might be the Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) of a foreign organization at the time of making an application, however. The license will finally be under the name of the manufacturer.

2.Factory Address

A legitimate and valid address of manufacturing has to be given. If a manufacturing firm produces the same model of mobile phone in different places, every place has to have a separate BIS license.

3.Product Scope

Each type of product needs different BIS Certificate licenses. But if the product is of the same type with numerous models having minute variations, one can use the same license for all such models.

4.Brand or Trademark

Every brand name or trademark needs to be registered independently. I.e., for one product, several brand names have to get separate BIS licenses.

Procedure for BIS Certification for Mobile Phones

BIS registration process for mobile handsets as per IS 13252 (Part 1):2010 varies depending on whether the manufacturer is Indian (domestic) or foreign. Given below is the step by step process for the BIS Certification for mobile phones for Indian as well as foreign manufacturers separately: 

A) Foreign Manufacturer Procedure

• Appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR): A foreign company will have to appoint a local representative in India to facilitate the application process and communication with BIS. If the company does not have an Indian branch.
• Online Submission of Application: The application is made online on BIS's website.
• Sample Testing by BIS-Accepted Lab: Product samples will also be required to be submitted to a BIS-approved testing lab.
• Submit Documents & Test Report: AIR (or the manufacturer) will submit the full application and lab report online and offline.
• BIS Review of Application: The officials of BIS will check the furnished details.
• Certificate of Issue: BIS issues the certificate once a proper review is done.

Guidelines for the Nomination of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

A foreign manufacturer may appoint an AIR under any of the following clauses based on the organizational structure:

• Clause 1: Where there is a branch office or liaison office of the foreign producer in India, it shall be considered AIR.
• Clause 2: Where there is no branch office but the brand/trademark owner is Indian-based, then the brand owner is AIR.
• Clause 3: Where the above does not hold good, then the foreign producer shall have to appoint a third-party Indian organization as AIR.

B) Process for Indian Manufacturers

• Online Application Submission: In order to get the BIS Certification for mobile phones in India one needs to file the online application for the same with all the proper details as well as documentation. 
• Product Testing by BIS Lab: In order to get the BIS Certification for mobile phones without any delay it's important to submit the proper documents with the application and one such document is the product testing report, hence one must obtain the same from the BIS Lab. 
• Submit Documents & Test Report: After preparing the application and obtaining the report of the test one needs to provide the same to the authorized authorities. 
• BIS Sanctions Application: After verification of the application, provided details and documentation, if BIS finds everything up to the mark it will sanction the application. 
• Granting License: Once the above steps are completed you will get the BIS Certification for mobile phones, which will help your business to grow and develop in the market among the various other competitors. 

How the Bureau of Indian Standards Works? 

In order to get the BIS Certification for mobile phones without any problem, you must be aware of how the BIS functions. This is a clear picture of how BIS functions while executing the process of certification:

1) Registration on the BIS Portal

The initial step is to register the manufacturer on the BIS portal. Local or international, there has to be a formation of a profile with required information such as factory information, contact information, and product category.

2) Scrutiny of Submitted Documents

After they are submitted, the forms are examined carefully by BIS officers. They verify whether the forms are properly filled, verify certificates produced, and cross-reference information with that of the BIS standards.

3) Testing of Product Samples

After the clearance of documentation, the sample of the product is inspected at a BIS-approved laboratory. The laboratories check the product for safety and compliance with Indian standards like electromagnetic compatibility, safety of the battery, SAR values, etc.

4) Submission of Documentation (Online & Offline)

The test reports and documents in support thereof, such as brand ownership, business license, user manual, and letters of authorisation, must be submitted online and hard (physical) to BIS.

5) Final Scrutiny and Approval by BIS

Once the documents and reports are submitted, BIS officials once again check everything and provide the go-ahead to comply. Provided that there is no problem, registration is given and a BIS license is issued. It is done within 15–30 working days, but at times, 60 days based on how complex the case is.

Documents Required for BIS Certification for Mobile Phones

The list of documents which are required for the BIS Certification for mobile phones is given below: 

• Filled CDF (Construction Data Form) and CCL (Critical Component List)
• Signed BIS application form
• Manufacturer's Business Licence (original + English translation)
• Business scope licence (original + English translation)
• The factory's original ISO certificate
• Marking label or product marking information
• Authorization letter (if not the company head)
• Trademark Certificate (if yes)
• Trademark Authorization Letter (in case the brand is third-party-owned)
• Documentary proof of company registration in India (in case of AIR)
• AIR/authorised signatory's Photo ID
• Technical specification sheet or User Manual

Points need to be Considered to get a BIS Certification for mobile phones

Some of the important points you must be aware about in order to get BIS Certification for mobile phones timely are given below: 

• Verify laboratory cogency: Ensure that the laboratory is not suspended or under BIS audit during testing.
• Plan the shipment of the sample with utmost caution: Ensure safe transit of the sample from the factory to the lab.
• Signing and stamping of documents should be proper: By the manufacturer, brand owner, and Indian representative (if present).
• Filled Construction Data Form (CDF) and Critical Component List (CCL) properly
• Validity of test report: 90 days valid. Deliver to BIS within this period or resubmit the process.
• All papers are to be prepared before forwarding the sample for testing.
• Time for approval: Approximately 15 days from the date of submission, but can extend to 30–60 days depending on the case. 

Cell phones are a part of everyday life these days, and the excessive use rate makes it a necessity to ensure their safety by means of BIS Certification for mobile phones. Not only does the BIS Certification for mobile phones serve the purpose of compliance with Indian standards, but it also enhances customer trust in the form that it guarantees product reliability and safety. Indian and foreign manufacturers have to follow BIS documentation and procedure specifications closely in order to obtain certification. Careful preparation work, counselling, and timely filing, with proper following, render the process easy and effective.