Overview of BIS Certificate for Mineral Water

BIS Certificate for mineral water is one of the regulatory requirements for all those who are in the business of mineral water. In the health and safety market, Packaged Natural Mineral Water must adhere to stringent regulatory standards like BIS Certificate for mineral water. For the sake of guaranteeing product purity, safety, and quality, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) made it obligatory to use the mark of IS 13428:2005. The Indian Standard guarantees that the natural water, tapped directly from natural sources, retains its own original mineral strength and purity when processed and packaged. Packaged Natural Mineral Water is not only a healthy drink but also offers natural minerals in the form of spring water or ground water. The minerals help maintain an individual's health, as well as being the reason for hydration and wellness. By getting IS 13428:2005 compliant, the manufacturers not only meet the demands but also gain an extra competitive advantage. It assures the customers and the stakeholders that the product is safe and produced in controlled, sanitary, and quality conditions.

IS 13428:2005 - Packaged Natural Mineral Water

IS 13428:2005 standard specifies the requirements of the collection, treatment, packaging, and distribution of natural mineral water. The water, as per this standard, must be collected from identified sources like natural springs or aquifers that not only remain covered with no possibility of contamination but also unauthorized access. The following is the most important information outlined in this standard:

• Source Protections: The water has to be drawn from clean natural groundwater reservoirs and well protected from environmental pollutants.
• Standards of Quality: Physical, chemical, and microbiological quality standards have to be good, i.e., the permissible quantity of minerals, pH value, turbidity, and presence of any toxic substance or pathogen have to be tested.
• Packaging Standards: Tamper-evident food-grade bottles alone should be used. Bottling should be done in a manner that there is no variation in the mineral content at bottling time and spoilage.
• Labelling: Labelling should include a proper description of the type of nature of water (natural mineral water), source, packaging date, and mark of certification by BIS.

Compliance with the standard facilitates the assurance of consumer safety and purity, and health attributes of the product.

Key Highlights of the BIS Certificate for Mineral Water

Some of the key highlights of the BIS Certificate for mineral water are given below: 

• Product Name: Packaged Natural Mineral Water
• Applicable Indian Standard: IS 13428:2005
• Certification Scheme: Product Certification Scheme (ISI Mark Scheme), Scheme 1 – Schedule 2
• Compliance Requirement: Mandatory
• Scope as per Standard: Used on the water, harvested, treated, packaged, and sold in closed containers for direct human consumption

Advantages of BIS Certificate for Mineral Water

BIS Certificate for mineral water according to IS 13428:2005 has multiple advantages for the manufacturer as well as the consumer. Some of the key advantages of BIS Certificate for mineral water are given below: 

• Consumer Confidence: Certification guarantees the product to be tested and certified against safety parameters, thereby gaining customer confidence.
• Market Access: All the products that get certified are saleable and marketable in India without any obstruction, and hence manufacturers gain Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and other regulatory bodies' compliance.
• Brand Credibility: BIS mark provides trust and confidence, and hence customer loyalty and preference.
• Regulatory Compliance: Packaged natural mineral water sold in India must be certified. Non-conformity will involve a penalty in the form of legal action through a fine or prohibition.
• Product Differentiation: BIS certification differentiates the product from the non-certified or sub-standard product and leads to access to the market in retail chains, export markets, and institutional buyers.

Procedure for Getting BIS Certificate for Mineral Water

The producers should adopt a step-by-step implementation to achieve a hassle-free and successful BIS Certificate. The step-by-step process to get BIS Certificate for mineral water is given below:

Application Submission for BIS Certificate for Mineral Water

In the pending drafts, the company has to file the formal application for the BIS Certificate for mineral water to BIS through the Manakonline portal. It consists of filling out Form V, payment of fees, and choice of the right product category. Once the application for BIS Certificate for mineral water is submitted, there will be a confirmation by BIS. Along with the application number for future use. On applying, one must ensure carefulness so that all the information entered in the application is as per the documents submitted, so that there is no delay.

BIS Audit

Then, BIS officers will check the factory by auditing the manufacturing unit, water supply system, and test equipment. During the audit:

• Inspectors make sure that the sanitary status at the point of production remains unbroken.
• Treatment operations and equipment calibrations are checked.
• Packaging and labeling operations are checked.
• Employee competency, quality control inspections, and storage facilities are checked.

All the deficiencies revealed as a result of the audit have to be corrected immediately. The production unit complies with all the specifications prescribed under IS 13428:2005 if the audit is satisfactory.

Sampling Testing

After a successful audit, BIS officers obtain samples of Packaged Natural Mineral Water for third-party laboratory testing in BIS-approved laboratories. The samples are tested for:

• Microbiological safety (for the absence of pathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli, coliforms, etc.)
• Physico-chemical parameters (pH, total dissolved solids, fluoride, arsenic, etc.)
• Mineral content
• Package integrity

This process is taken to the finishing stage only if the sample passes all the quality tests. If the sample is rejected, defects would need to be recalled by the manufacturer, and resampling would need to be conducted.

Grant BIS Certificate for Mineral Water

After receiving appropriate test reports and fulfillment of the compliance with the audit report, the ISI license also known as BIS Certificate for mineral water is granted. It allows the manufacturer to apply the ISI mark on the product pack and adhere to IS 13428:2005. The BIS Certification for mineral water has a validity of one or two years and has to be verified from time to time and renewed.

Documents Required for the BIS Certificate for Mineral Water

The process of BIS Certificate for mineral water starts with the collection of all the documents. Some of the important documents required for the BIS Certificate for mineral water are given: 

• Business registration certificate
• Manufacturing license, if necessary
• Information on the source of water (lease or property documents)
• Flow diagram of a water treatment plant
• Plant layout and machinery information
• Facilities and quality control procedures of the internal testing laboratory
• Identification of the person responsible
• Pollution Control Board sanction (if necessary)

The above documents shall be properly authenticated and submitted with the initial application for the BIS Certification for mineral water. Documentation is the largest success factor of a hassle-free application for BIS Certification for mineral water and prompt processing.

Timeline for BIS Certificate for Mineral Water

The duration for BIS Certificate for mineral water is approximately depending on where the production is done:

• Indian Manufacturers: It would generally take 30 working days from the date of application, subject to the natural rider that all the papers, audit, and sample test run smoothly.
• Foreign Manufacturers: Foreign manufacturers also find it a tiresome process, and it takes even 180 days. They do have a few additional steps, such as appointment of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) and importation of a sample for testing.

Within today's global economy, where consumers are very knowledgeable about what they consume and what they eat, being BIS certified Packaged Natural Mineral Water is not only legal, it's a mark of distinction. While the IS 13428:2005 spec guarantees purity and safety of water, it also forms a brand upon which one can rely in an increasingly competitive marketplace. For companies, opting for the BIS Certificate for mineral water is not a conformance issue anymore; it is a gateway to new markets, customer loyalty, and quality assurance. Companies, through compliance with these stringent standards, ensure their commitment towards providing the best of the best and safe products to health-conscious consumers.