Overview of BIS Registration for Smart Speakers (with and without Display)

By mandating BIS registration for smart speakers, the government is confident that all smart speakers are carefully following national quality and safety standards to ensure that a product is safe and fit for consumption before reaching the customer. BIS is India's national standard organization, which approves the quality, safety, and reliability of products being sold in India. With this aim in mind, BIS runs the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) on behalf of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The scheme requires a list of electronic products to be registered with BIS before their legal production, import, or sale to the Indian market. This encompasses smart speakers, including those with and without displays. This also encompasses all-in-one smart home hubs with a speaker function. 

The specific Indian Standard for smart speakers is IS 16333 (Part 3):2017, i.e., "Information Technology Equipment - Safety - Part 3: Safety of Information Technology Equipment including electronic goods." It's an important standard since it describes the specific safety and technical specifications a product should meet to be compliant. The standard is a composite one covering many safety parameters for reducing the risk to users, as well as to property. Compliance with this standard is guaranteed by stringent testing in a BIS-recognized laboratory.

Benefits of BIS Registration for Smart Speakers

Registration of Smart Speakers (whether displayed or not) is advantageous to the consumer as well as the industry in several ways.Some of the key benefits of BIS certification for smart speakers are given below: 

• It confirms that the product is compliant with regulations
• Guaranteeing that the product is safe and meets Indian technical and safety norms, including electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility. 
• Ensuring the product's compliance with regulations provides consumers with confidence because the consumer is assured that the smart speaker is safe, dependable, and of high quality. 
• BIS certification also provides a competitive edge where brands can ensure their products are differentiated from non-certified products within a competitive marketplace. 
• It also provides better market access to enable ease of shelf placement within retail stores, online media, and institutional channels. 
• The certification also acts as a symbol of quality assurance, providing stable performance, durability, and safety aspects such as fire resistance and signal integrity. 
• Additionally, BIS License will be beneficial for export purposes since it adheres to some global standards, thus facilitating the introduction of products into other countries easily. 
• In general, BIS certification improves brand credibility, adherence, and customer confidence.

Procedure to Get BIS Registration for Smart Speakers 

BIS certification is a step-by-step process that involves careful attention to detail and adherence to a predecided procedure. Domestic and foreign manufacturers have somewhat different but immensely different steps.

Process for Domestic Manufacturers

• Product Testing: The smart speaker product must first be tested in a BIS-approved and recognized test lab. The product must be thoroughly tested to ascertain that it meets all the requirements of the IS 16333 (Part 3):2017 standard.
• Test Report Validity: The test report of the laboratory released by the laboratory is a highly significant document for the application. It may be noted that the report will have a validity of 90 days from the issue date. The online application will have to be filed by the manufacturer within the same timeframe as BIS.
• Submission of Online Application: The company is required to register through the official online platform of BIS. It entails the submission of a comprehensive application form containing business details, product model, and technical details.
• Document Submission: There are certain documents that must be completed in their entirety and uploaded into the portal to accompany the application. The documents are for the purpose of ascertaining the credentials of the manufacturer, details of the product, and compliance with standards.
• Application Review: After the receipt of an application, all information and documents will be checked by staff at BIS. Questions will be asked, or additional documents will be sought. These questions must be answered promptly so that the processing is not delayed.
• Grant of Registration: After successful verification and validation of all documents and test reports, BIS issues the registration. A product is allotted a unique Registration Number (an R-number) of the product, and selling the product in India is a legal requirement.

Process for Foreign Manufacturers

Foreign manufacturers also need to undergo the same process, but with an additional requirement of having an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).

• Appoint an AIR: The foreign manufacturer shall appoint an AIR in due course. The AIR can be either a registered Indian company or an individual. The AIR would be the sole representative of the foreign manufacturer to BIS and would be a legal representative with a charge of product conformity to the Indian market.
• Product Testing: Product samples are required to be shipped to an India-based BIS-approved testing laboratory for testing. Testing done outside foreign labs is invalid for the BIS CRS registration purpose.
• Online Application and Document Submission: The AIR handles the online application and receipt of all the documents that are needed. These include both the documents of the foreign manufacturer (such as an ISO certificate, business license) and those of the AIR (such as company registration).
• Verification and Registration Grant: The BIS official personally calls the AIR to verify the application. The registration goes directly to the foreign company, and not to AIR, when the application gets approved and the individual gets the "R-number" impressed on the product.

Documents required for BIS Registration for Smart Speakers

The documents are predominantly needed for BIS registration of smart speakers. It should make sure that the documents are complete, precise, and English or English-translated.

• Business License of the manufacturer (for foreign manufacturers – legalized/attested copy).
• ISO Certificate of the manufacturing unit.
• Factory organizational chart.
• List of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• List of testing equipment available in the factory.
• Calibration certificates of testing equipment.
• Factory/plant layout.
• Product manual/user manual of the Smart Speaker.
• Product circuit diagram.
• PCB layout and description.
• Bill of Materials (BOM).
• Product test report from BIS-recognized laboratory.
• Trademark/Brand Authorization Letter (if the brand owner is different from manufacturer).
• Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) nomination letter (for foreign manufacturers).
• Photo ID and address proof of AIR/authorized signatory.
• Details of all models/variants of Smart Speakers to be covered under licence.
• Undertaking for product conformity to relevant standards.
• Copy of trademark registration certificate (if applicable).
• Sample(s) of Smart Speaker for testing.
• Manufacturer’s declaration of authenticity and undertaking.

BIS Registration for Smart Speakers Validity and Renewal

BIS registration is not permanent in nature; it is valid for a specific period and needs renewal in time to continue functioning. BIS's initial registration of a product remains valid for two years. Renewal of registration must be sought with BIS before the due date. In renewal cases, the process is not as sophisticated as the initial one but includes providing a new test report and other documents to ascertain that the product still meets the concerned standard. The manufacturer may file renewal applications within a grace period. Those applications received after the expiration date shall be charged a late fee. The registration is cancelled if the renewal is not made during the grace period, and the manufacturer must register anew.

Consequences of Non-Compliance for BIS Registration for Smart Speakers

Disregard of the BIS Registration for Smart Speakers duty attracts stringent legal as well as financial penalties. Trading in non-certified smart speakers is an offense under the BIS Act, 2016.

• The wrongdoers are heavily penalized, which may be five times the value of the sold goods.
• The government can seize and eliminate the non-compliant products from the marketplace.
• The product's sale and distribution can be wholly banned.
• In the event of serious non-compliance, the individuals concerned are jailed.

BIS Registration for Smart Speakers is mandatory and an obligatory process for any individual in the Indian market. Through compliance with the IS 16333 (Part 3):2017 standard and completing the registration process, the importers and manufacturers not only establish the right to legally market the product but also create customer confidence and trust in the brand. This certification is a quality mark that shall safeguard the consumers from substandard products and safeguard companies from harsh legal and financial repercussions, thus giving every party a safe and level playing field.