The Process of Obtaining BIS Certification for Your Footwear Brand

With the fast-growing world, the footwear production growth has brought a wide range of changes in the Indian economy. Around the world, India is a place where people are committed to footwear products’ nature and quality. The requirement of people encourages manufacturers to produce and develop premium quality and standards. On the other side, by overtaking various well-established companies of other countries, India has become the 2nd largest global producer of footwear. 

With the large production, the Government of India introduced the guidelines to register a BIS certificate for footwear. The accuracy of quality and safety falls under these introductory guidelines. Let’s explore the importance of a BIS certificate for footwear manufacturers and the process to register with a regulatory body. 

Why footwear industry require a BIS certificate?

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) most recently introduced the regulations regarding the BIS certificate for footwear brand. The guidelines define a mandatory BIS regulation for footwear. All manufacturers who are active in footwear production, importation, or selling are required to have a valid BIS registration. The testing, inspection, and re-correction fall under the category of safety and quality standardization. 

It further enables the products to fit with Indian regulatory requirements regarding safety and quality purposes. Under the Department of Consumer Affairs, every footwear manufacturer must register with BIS for legal compliance and safety standards. But regulating the industry without a valid license is marked as illegal in India. Here is more information about the footwear certificate requirement:

Ensuring quality

The mandatory Bureau of Standards (BIS) certificate confirms that footwear products that are in the market meet all quality standards to label the ISI mark. Overall, registering with BIS is mandatory for all importers and manufacturers to obey quality regulations. The quality testing is meant to check which type of product is used and its durability. 

Market Entry

To get access to market entry in India, every footwear manufacturer is required to have a valid license. Having the BIS certification for footwear increases the well-growth of legally sold products in the Indian market and further creates transparency.

Customer’s safety 

According to quality control orders, the products that do not meet requirements have a high chance of causing injuries to customers. Before being used by customers, the regulatory body performs a safety check procedure. The process makes sure that the premium-quality footwear is long-lasting and durable for use. It further helps in building the potential trust of consumers. 

Legal compliance 

The footwear manufacturing industry adheres to the complex policies and guidelines that help in regulating business activities by preventing potential penalties (fines or imprisonment). 

International market access

The valid certificate of BIS for footwear enhances the chances of growth in the international market. It is the best way to create a visible place in another market for future growth. 

How to get a BIS certification for footwear in India

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) listed the 27 footwear products that come under the regulations of the BIS license. Well, before registering for the certificate, the manufacturers or importers need to acknowledge the IS (Indian Standards) for their products. Check out the points to register your footwear brand with the Bureau of Indian Standards:

• Reduce the wastage of time and manage cost-effectiveness by hiring a BIS consultant.
• Recognize the relevant IS for your specific footwear product nature. 
• Before selecting the IS for a footwear product, ensure that the product satisfies all requirements. 
• Visit the BIS official website to complete the application.
• Collect all necessary documents from the footwear industry and the person before application submission.
• Apply for a BIS certificate and pay the mandatory registration fee.
• The officials of the regulatory body verify the accuracy of the submitted form to check whether it fits with requirements.
• For the independent testing, the samples will be collected from the industry.
• The sample testing certificate is provided by BIS-recognized labs for further procedure. 
• Here, the registration work ends, as the applicant receives approval confirmation through any communication tool.

The BIS certification documents for footwear manufacturers

Submitting the correct and valid documents relevant to the Indian Standards requirements increases the chances of a rapid certificate approval. Sometimes, not providing the necessary and correct documents leads to certification cancellation. 

The Indian manufacturers who operate in the footwear industry are required to register with BIS online. Further, for the certificate approval, the manufacturers need to upload key documents that match with Bureau Standards. Check out the required documents for the BIS certificate for footwear manufacturers:

1. The footwear manufacturer needs to submit the registration documents of the industry and other crucial details.

2. They need to clarify their identity proof with the government PAN Card and Aadhaar Card. 

3. A detailed flowchart that outlines the production process, including the type of raw material and the machines used. 

4. Elaboration of valid equipment used for testing purposes. 

5. The record of production and which parameters were followed for product quality control.

6. Under the Indian Standards, present the reports of BIs recognized labs. 

27 footwear products that fall under the regulations of BIS

The Bureau of Indian Standards introduced quality control orders

The Government of India showcased its seriousness towards the footwear raw material. It has always been a mandatory discussion regarding which type of raw materials is used by the manufacturers for footwear production. In contrast, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) issued the Footwear Quality Control Orders, 2020. In new quality control order regulations, manufacturers can only use leather and rubber raw materials for footwear production.

The major purpose was to introduce the new regulations to regulate the necessary label of the ISI mark and quality grade. As per the DPIIT, the raw materials, such as polymer, leather, and rubber, which are used for footwear production, were added for compulsory BIS certificate regulations. 

In addition, the authority permits the implementation of almost 24 products that are used for shoes, slippers, etc. The guidelines were made mandatory from July 1, 2023. Before, the three major quality control orders were introduced in June. 

User Query: How long it takes to BIS registration

The list of three Quality Control Orders (QCO) for standardization:

• Footwear designed from leather and other substances (quality control order), 2020
• Footwear designed from all rubber and all polymeric material and its substances (quality control order), 2020
• Personal Protective Equipment—Footwear (Quality Control) Order, 2020

What are the important principles to introduce QCOs?

The Indian administration and its public are committed to productivity.  Every single step depends on the other elements, which complete the life cycle. The civil administration is in place to create and ensure the market controls orders of products for the nation’s people. As per the requirements and new technologies, the purpose always changes; this forces the creation of new rules and regulations. A law for a certain product is generated when the requirements increase and make a difference in quality and safety. Furthermore, the Indian manufacturers are following the most recent laws introduced by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

 The purpose is to enable quality control orders to regulate the safety and quality for consumers. The type of products influences the market changes and consumers’ interest. The validation of QCOs brought a new development for customer protection and also decreased substandard imports, boosted exports, and many more. Since the Quality Control rules were introduced, a well-minimized importation has been seen for cheaper and third-class used times. 

User Query: Can i Import without a BIS Certificate?

Sum Up | BIS Certification for Your Footwear Brand

A BIS certificate is an essential tool that allows footwear manufacturers to work legally in the Indian market. BIS registration is the only way for importers, manufacturers, or retailers to bring growth in the footwear production sector. Without wasting time, register for the Bureau certification for footwear online or get consultation for a better understanding with the experts of Legal Raasta Pvt Ltd.

The experts in the industry are helping various footwear businesses to register with BIS for a new opportunity in domestic and international markets.