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. As per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Packaged Natural Mineral Water (PNMW) refers to water sourced from underground reserves, bottled at or near the source, and compliant with the quality norms outlined in Indian Standard IS 13428. 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. By getting IS 13428:2005 compliant, the manufacturers not only meet the legal demands but also gain an extra competitive advantage. Compliance with the packaged drinking water BIS standards facilitates the assurance of consumer safety and purity, and health attributes of the product. All this makes your business reliable in the market. 

BIS IS 13428:2005 - Packaged Drinking Water BIS Standards

As per the BIS IS 13428:2005, some of the key elements which are there on 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
• 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.

Benefits of BIS Certificate for Mineral Water in India 

BIS Certification for mineral water according to IS 13428:2005 has multiple benefits for the manufacturer as well as the consumer. Some of the key benefits of BIS Registration for mineral water in India are given below: 

• Consumer Confidence: BIS certification online 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, aBIS Certification for mineral water 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 Online

The step-by-step procedure for getting BIS License for mineral water online is given below:

Online Application Submission 

In the pending drafts, the company has to file the formal application for the BIS Certificate for mineral water online 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 online 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 Online

After receiving appropriate test reports and fulfillment of the compliance with the audit report, the ISI license also known as BIS registration 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 BIS Certificate for Mineral Water in India 

Some of the important documents required for BIS Certification for mineral water in India are given:

• Filled BIS Application Form (Form VI)
• Business Registration Certificate (e.g., GST certificate, Company Incorporation Certificate, MSME registration)
• Manufacturing License from the concerned authority
• Test Report from BIS-recognized laboratory as per IS 13428
• Water Source Details – including location and hydrogeological report
• Process Flow Chart of water treatment and bottling
• Plant Layout Plan showing machinery and equipment placement
• Details of Manufacturing Machinery used in the production
• In-house Testing Facilities and list of lab equipment available
• Calibration Certificates of testing instruments
• Raw Material Details (if any used in the process)
• Packaging Material Details
• Nomination Letter of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) – applicable only for foreign manufacturers
• Undertaking of Compliance with relevant Indian Standards
• Copy of Trademark Registration/Brand Name Ownership Proof (if applicable)
• Consent from Pollution Control Board
• Water Quality Analysis Report
• Photographs of the Manufacturing Unit
• List of Products and Variants intended for certification
• Identity and Address Proof of the Authorized Signatory
• Authorization Letter (if application is submitted by consultant or third-party)
• Any Previous BIS License Copy (if held earlier) 

BIS Certificate for Mineral Water Cost in India 

The approximate BIS certification cost for packaged drinking water includes:

• Application Fee: ₹1,000 – ₹2,000
• Product Testing Charges: ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 (from BIS-recognized lab)
• Audit/Inspection Fee: ₹7,000 per man-day + travel & stay of BIS officer
• Annual License Fee: ₹10,000 – ₹15,000
• Marking Fee (per annum): ₹50,000 (may vary based on production volume)
• Consultant/Processing Fee (if hired): ₹20,000 – ₹50,000 (optional)

Total Estimated Cost: ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000 (subject to variation based on scale and location)

Timeline for BIS Registration for Mineral Water Online 

The duration for BIS registration for mineral water online 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.

While the IS 13428:2005 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 online, 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.