Effective March 30, 2020

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released a circular on temporary measures for relaxation of provision of BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations 2018, and its amendments for renewal of license with late fee and renewal of deferred license.

Under these certification schemes, BIS grants license/certificate to the manufacturers to ensure that their product conforms to all requirements specified in the relevant Indian Standard(s). This helps in ensuring protection of consumers. Presently, more than 200 products have been notified by the government under mandatory certification of BIS. The license granted is renewed by BIS as per provisions of above Regulations for a period of not less than 1 year and up to 5 years as requested by the manufacturer.

For all licences which are due for renewal during the period of lockdown and up to 30 days after:

1. Provision of deferment of license as per para 1 of sub-regulation (4) of Regulation 8 is kept in abeyance till 30 days after the lifting of lockdown.
2. Provision of submission of late fee with renewal application within 90 days i.e to keep the provisions of sub-Regulation (5) of Regulation 8 is kept in abeyance till 30 days after the lifting of lockdown.

For all the licences which are completing 90 days of period of deferment of renewal during the period of lockdown and up to 30 days after.

Provision of deferment of licence beyond 90 days by keeping para 2 of sub-regulation (4) of Regulation 8 is kept in abeyance till 30 days after the lifting of lockdown.