Overview of BIS Certificate for Solar Lanterns

Alternative source is a trend, and solar products are becoming increasingly popular soon particularly in India, where the sun is everywhere. Solar lanterns are a product which are being used everywhere in rural villages, camping, emergencies, and even as a secondary source in urban homes. To ensure that solar lanterns that are being brought into India are of good quality and safe, they must be certified under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) through BIS Certificate for solar lanterns. Not only is it required, being a manufacturer or an importer, to hold a BIS Certificate for solar lanterns, it's a badge of quality, consumer safety, and business prosperity in the long term. BIS is India’s National Standards body that comes under the Administrative control of the Ministry of Public Distribution, Consumer Affairs, and Food. It is responsible for making Indian goods safe, long-lasting, and of the best quality. BIS Certificate for solar lanterns is required by all the domestic solar lantern manufacturing units, foreign companies that produce in some other foreign nation require export and supply to India and importers as well as exporters selling branded solar lanterns who have imported.

Different Categories of BIS Registration under the BIS Scheme 

The BIS scheme has various categories as discussed below:

• ISI Mark Certificate (safety and industry standards)
• FMCS (foreign manufacturers)
• CRS – Compulsory Registration Scheme (information technology and electrical products)
• Solar lanterns come under the CRS scheme, which is a part of Scheme II of Schedule II of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018.

Why is BIS Certificate for Solar Lanterns Required?

The following are the main reasons why BIS Certificate for solar lanterns is required:

• Safety Assurances: Solar lanterns contain electrical parts, batteries, and LED parts. They get burnt, short-circuit, or overheat due to low-quality parts. BIS ensures they are made with Indian safety standards.
• Consumer Safety: Certification does not allow the consumer to cheat with poor-quality or non-functional products. It assures the product works as described.
• Market Legality: Whatsoever solar lantern to be market marketed will be illegal if the same is not registered with BIS. By default, penalty, product recall, and prohibition shall be initiated.
• Global Acceptance: BIS certification not only gives strength and weightage to your brand in India but also to the entire world.
• Access to the Market: No access to the market in your market in India with BIS Certification is no longer a barrier.
• Product Credibility: Certified products are more customer-trusting and acceptable.
• Competitive Edge: BIS marking gives you an edge over unregulated competitors.
• Safety and Quality Testimonials: Permits in-house quality checks and regular production.
• Brand Reputation: Certification develops long-term goodwill and reinforces your brand reputation.

Solar Lanterns Under BIS: Standard Reference

BIS Certificate for solar lanterns comes under the following: 

• IS 16060 (Part 1): 2012 / IEC 62257-9-5 – This Indian Standard lays down generic requirements, test procedures, and performance specifications of solar lanterns designed to function independently of the supply from mains electricity.
• Any foreign/local manufacturer should ensure their product complies with this standard before placing the same on the Indian market for sale.

Procedure for Getting BIS Certificate for Solar Lanterns

The below is by step-by-step procedure for obtaining BIS Certificate for solar lanterns:

1) Product Testing

• Your product must be tested in a test laboratory that is approved by the Indian BIS.
• The product is tested according to IS 16060 (Part 1) for the product functionality, safety, durability, and electrical components of the product.

2) Document Preparation

You need to prepare and submit the following documents:

• Manufacturer's Business License
• ISO 9001 Certificate (voluntary)
• Product Technical Specifications
• PCB Layout and Circuit Diagram
• Test Report of BIS-approved Testing Laboratory
• Details of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) (in case of a foreign manufacturer)
• Undertaking and affidavit forms

 3) Submission of Online Application

• Open your account in the BIS CRS portal.
• Fill an online application form and upload supporting documents (if necessary).
• Submit the test report along with the fee payment.

 4) Scrutiny and Review

• BIS officers examine your application and test reports.
• They may even try questioning or clarification.
• In certain cases, they may order a factory visit for further verification.

 5) Issue of BIS Certificate

• Once the application is approved, you’ll receive the BIS Registration Number.
• Now, one is authorized to affix the Standard Mark on solar lanterns.
• The certificate is valid for two years; later, it needs to be renewed based on compliance and continued quality assurance.

Role of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

In the event the company is an Indian company, an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) would be appointed who would be the BIS local contact too. The AIR shall be requested to coordinate certificate papers and test product and attend to the legal affairs of the manufacturer

Cost and Timeline for BIS Certificate for Solar Lanterns

BIS Certificate for solar lanterns is not a kind of free registration. One who needs to get this registration needs to pay the fees and only after paying the certain amount of fees as prescribed below one can get this registration done. This is a time bound process but sometimes because of lack of documentation and non payment of fees the process can be delayed. 

Estimated Price for BIS Certificate for Solar Lanterns

•  Test levy: ₹50,000 to ₹80,000
• Administration Charges: Estimate ₹15,000
• Consultancy (in case of use): ₹20,000 to ₹50,000

Estimated Time Taken by BIS Certificate for Solar Lanterns

• Product Testing: 15–25 working days
• Administration and authorization: 20–30 working days
• Total Duration: 45-60 days

Documents Required for BIS Certificate for Solar Lanterns

List of key documents which are required for the BIS Certificate for solar lanterns is given below: 

• Company Registration Certificate (like GST, Udyam, or MSME)
• Factory License for manufacturers,
• Details of an Authorized Indian Representative . 
• Product’s technical specification sheet, user manual, component list, 
• Design or drawings of the product if applicable 
• Test reports from BIS-recognized labs 
• Undertaking conformity to standards 
• Copy of the trademark registration (if applicable), 
• An authorization letter if a consultant is filing on your behalf
• A product photo with model number and brand.

Penalties for Non-Compliance with BIS Certification 

The sale and import of Indian solar lanterns without a BIS mark is illegal. The penalties are:

• Government or customs authorities confiscating the product
• Astronomical fine or penalty
• Destruction of business reputation and denial of access to the market
• Legal action under the BIS Act

Solar lamps head India's drive towards clean, cheap power. The more mainstream, the bigger the pressure to be tough, safe, and reliable. That's what a BIS Certificate for solar lanterns is meant to guarantee. Whatever you produce can be an in-house production unit or an import unit, which is just about to catch up with India; BIS registration is inevitable, it is regulatory wisdom and business wisdom. By making your solar lanterns BIS compliant, you are not only complying with the government but also building customer trust, brand image, and good business in the days to come.