Overview of BIS Certificate for Gloves

Safety is something that one can never forget, regardless of the circumstances in electrical construction. Keeping this aspect in mind, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has created a certain standard, 13774:2021 of Insulating Material Live Working Gloves. BIS Certificate for Gloves make sure that these gloves are safe for the use of the customers. Live working gloves are a vital safety equipment to use while dealing with electric systems, and the standard ensures they are of ultra-high safety standards. IS 13774:2021 is the updated Indian Standard, which provides requirements for gloves that are to be worn for the protection of personnel during work with live electrical apparatus. The gloves are insulating and are worn by electricians, linemen, and other working staff under high-voltage working conditions. IEC 60903:2014 is an Indian standard, which has been harmonized internationally by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Indian manufacturers are to be aligned with national and international safety and quality standards in an attempt to supply domestic and export markets. The Second Revision Indian Standard is harmonized with IEC 60903:2014 for global application. The standard was drawn up by the Tools and Equipment for Live Working Sectional Committee and published after it was approved by the Electrotechnical Division Council of BIS. This mark is certified against Scheme 1 - Schedule 2 of the ISI Mark Certification Scheme, i.e., tests, inspections, and approvals from time to time, regularly for continued certification.

Why is the BIS Certificate for Gloves Mandatory?

According to BIS standards, all the manufacturers, exporters, and sellers of such gloves in India are required to get certified under IS 13774:2021. BIS Certificate for Gloves validates the quality and safety of gloves according to desired standards. Such ISI-marked gloves, being the signature of BIS marking, are alone permissible to be sold in the Indian market. The products should not be exported, imported, or sold unless and until they are marked. Marking assures the consumer that the gloves are tested thoroughly and are safe for use when live work is undertaken.

Importance of BIS Certificate for Gloves

Getting a BIS Certificate for Gloves is not merely a legal requirement, it has many benefits as given below :

• Encourages Trust: The end customer will have trust in the fact that the product is in accordance with national safety standards.
• Ensures Quality: Only well-tested and checked products get the ISI mark.
• Facilitates Legal Sale: Test gloves only facilitate legal selling or supply in India.
• Opens the Door to Export Markets: IS 13774:2021, being on par with international quality, opens the door for exporters to enter export markets.
• Commitment: BIS Certificate for Gloves is a reflection of the commitment of a manufacturer towards quality, safety, and trust.
• Increases Credibility: BIS Certificate for Gloves increase credibility in the market among the customers. 
• Attract Customers: With increased credibility and making trust among the market it attracts customers. 

Safety and Quality Tests Incorporated under IS 13774:2021

The standard consists of a broad array of tests for testing the performance, resistance, and durability of such gloves. They are tested under simulated conditions under which the gloves would be subjected to physical, mechanical, electrical, chemical, or environmental stresses. Some of the most important tests are given below:

• Dimensions & Thickness: Inspect if the gloves are within normal size.
• Workmanship & Finish: Inspects the general quality of manufacture.
• Marking and Marking Toughness: Provides convenient and long-lasting marking of the gloves.
• Mechanical Properties: Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break: Measures the amount of stress that the gloves will be capable of withstanding before breaking.
• Physical and Dimensional Properties: Test tests help to determine the physical as well as dimensional properties of the product. 
• Resistance to Puncture: Puncture the glove using sharp points to check puncture resistance.
• Tension Set Test: Checks the amount of resistance of the glove to regain its original shape when it has been stretched.
• Electrical Properties: In order to check the electrical properties one needs to do some tests like Dielectric Type Test, Dielectric Sampling Test and Dielectric Routine Test These tests confirm whether the glove can be capable of withstanding high voltage without passing current.
• Ageing and Environmental Resistance: Simulates long-term use and exposure to the environment.
• Special Properties for Special Conditions: some of the special properties related includes Leakage Current Resistance, Abrasion Resistance, Cutting and Tear Resistance etc. 
• Low Temperature Test: Checks if a product works well in extreme cold.
• Flame Retardancy Test: Checks if a material resists catching or spreading fire.
• Acid Resistance (A): Resists damage from acids.
• Oil Resistance (H): Resists degradation from oils.
• Ozone Resistance (Z): Withstands ozone exposure without cracking.
• Combined Resistance (R): Resists acid, oil, and ozone together.
• Low Temp Resistance (C): Performs well in extremely cold conditions.

They enable the gloves to be capable of withstanding work conditions varying from extreme temperature to cold and chemical, and mechanical stresses.

Key Details at a Glance for BIS Certificate for Gloves

Some of the key details which are required in order to get BIS Certificate are given below: 

• Product Name- Live Working Gloves of Insulating Material
• Applicable Standard-IS 13774:2021
• Certification Scheme-ISI Mark Scheme (Scheme I – Schedule II)
• Compliance Requirement-Mandatory
• Reference Standard-IEC 60903:2014
• QCO Implementation-Live Working Gloves of Insulating Material QCO 2023

Procedure to get BIS Certificate for Gloves in India 

It is not a matter of shipping a few boxes and then availing a BIS Certificate for Gloves. It is a very strict process in which every single link in the chain of manufacturing and quality checking is guaranteed so that the end product actually turns out to be safe and trustworthy. Step-by-Step Procedure in order to get BIS Certificate for Gloves is given below:

• Application Filing: The application is submitted by the applicant along with technical specifications and supportive documents.
• Factory Assessment: BIS officials pay a visit to the Willesden factory facility for inspection to confirm adherence to prescribed infrastructure, test laboratories, and quality systems.
• Product Testing: During inspection, the product samples are pulled out and then sent to a BIS-certified laboratory for testing. The test is performed according to IS 13774:2021 standards.
• Grant of License: After everything, i.e., documents, audit report, and test reports, is ready, then BIS grants a license for certification.

Only after completing the above process for the registration of BIS Certificate for Gloves one can take benefit of this registration. Once you will get the BIS Certificate for Gloves one is free to put the ISI mark on their gloves.

Documents Required for the BIS CERTIFICATE FOR GLOVES

Some of the key documents required for the BIS Certificate for Gloves in India are given below:

• Application form (Form VI)
• Test report from BIS-recognized lab
• Manufacturing process flowchart
• Factory license and layout plan
• ISO certificate (if available)
• Undertaking of conformity to relevant IS standard
• Proof of Indian manufacturer/importer (e.g., GST, Udyam)
• Trademark registration (if applicable)
• Authorization letter (for agents/consultants)
• Packing and labeling details

Tentative Time to get BIS Certificate for Gloves

The time required for an overall BIS Certificate for Gloves depends on the geographical location of the manufacturer. It may be different for the Indians and completely different for the foreign manufacturers. There are delays that can occur on account of incomplete paperwork or when the product does not pass initial tests, so getting it right the first time is advisable. Tentative timeline for Indian and foreign manufactures for getting BIS Certificate for Gloves are given below: 

• Indian Manufacturers: Finished within 30 days typically.
• Foreign Manufacturers: It would take around 180 days, as it involves additional compliance and verification procedures.

Live Working Gloves of Insulating Material (Quality Control) Order, 2023, is a step towards a safer environment in the domain of electricity. BIS Certificate for Gloves assists the government in making sure that quality safety gear comes to market only. To manufacturers, compliance with IS 13774:2021 goes beyond compliance, it's becoming a quality differentiator. To end-users, especially operations or maintenance job roles in the electrical sector, BIS-approved gloves mean safety and durability. Gloves are not merely another piece of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). They are lives saved. And being BIS-approved means they save the day.