Overview of BIS Registration for Television Sets

TV sets form the hub of domestic appliances in India. For protecting consumers from potential harm through low-quality products, the Indian government has introduced compulsory registration of all TV sets with BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). BIS registration for television sets is mandatory for all the televisions sold in the market. A television set (TV set) is an electronic device used to receive broadcast signals and display them as audio and video. It allows people to watch programs such as news, movies, sports, and entertainment. BIS registration for television sets is achieved through the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which has recently been taken over by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This requirement is applied to both Indian producers and foreign buyers, as any television being introduced onto the Indian market should be of a higher safety and performance level. A television that has the BIS mark is a seal of trust and quality, which is a promise that the product is safe and reliable. In addition to consumer confidence, this certification is also a prerequisite for trading in the Indian market. This report is a step-by-step, end-to-end guide to the process of BIS registration with all technical specifications needed, documents, and compliances that must be fulfilled on a regular basis.

Product Description: BIS Registration for Television Sets

A TV set is an electrically operated television set displaying pictures and sound. The industry world has traversed a long distance from the old analog CRT varieties to modern flat-panel displays incorporating LCD, LED, OLED, and QLED technologies. All types of television sets, regardless of their display type, size, or category (smart or non-smart), fall under the television set product category for BIS certification. The principal focus of the BIS standard is on electrical, mechanical, and thermal protection of the equipment. The Indian Standard for television sets is IS 616:2017, which lays down safety requirements for electronic equipment for domestic use. This standard tries to ensure that the product is safe in normal use as well as under expected misuse. The principal quality and safety parameters that are qualified for BIS certification under this standard are:

• Protection from Electric Shock: The checks aim to ensure the television's design does not have a route that makes the users come into contact with any live, high-voltage internal components. This includes testing for insulation, clearances, and creepage distances.
• Fire Hazard Protection: A testing regime to ensure that the materials used for casing the TV and internal components are non-flammable or flame-resistant. The standard tests the product's resistance to ignition and fire spread limitation as a result of internal electrical failure.
• Mechanical and Thermal Stability: The TV set has to be mechanically stable in a manner that it can withstand normal use without being damaged. Thermal testing ensures that both the exterior and interior components of the device are not exposed to harmful temperatures.
• Power Supply and Input: The power supply unit is the most important safety component. It has been tested to ensure that the power supply will never cause a fire or electrical shock but will remain stable in the event of voltage fluctuations in the Indian power supply system.
• Insulation Resistance and Dielectric Strength: The test ensures that the insulation between different electrical parts remains intact. The resistance of insulation must be sufficient to prevent electrical leakage and short-circuiting.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC): The value ensures that the TV will not interrupt other electronic devices and is also not affected by external electromagnetic interference, providing a pollution-free electronic atmosphere.

These strict tests are in place to ensure that the TV is not only functioning but a safe product for use in each and every household.

Documents Required for BIS Registration for Television Sets

Successful BIS registration of a TV involves the submission of a set of documents. Preparation in advance alone can avoid delays. Some of the key documents list is given below: 

Company and Manufacturer Details: These include the 

• The company's registration certificate, 
• GST registration, and 
• Factory address proof. 
• Foreign businesses have to provide an appointment letter of an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR).

Product and Technical Documents: These are the most crucial documents. These include the 

• Original test report of a BIS-accredited lab, 
• Technical data sheets, 
• Circuit diagrams, and an 
• Exhaustive Bill of Materials (BOM).

Declarations and Undertakings: The manufacturer must file a 

• A duly signed application form, 
• Declaration of conformity, and 
• An undertaking to comply with BIS regulations and rules.

Each document must be readable, legible, and duly signed by the concerned authorities.

Procedure for Obtaining BIS Registration for Television Sets

BIS Registration for Television Sets falls under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS), which is a reduced, laboratory-based scheme. It entails skirting a physical factory audit, hence accelerating and making the certification process simpler. The entire process is regulated through the special online portal of BIS. The step-by-step process is as follows: 

• Submission of Application Online: The manufacturer or importer initially needs to register themselves at the BIS portal. They then fill out the online application form with proper facts about their company, manufacturing unit, and precise model of TV. All supporting documents are to be prepared and submitted online.
• Product Testing: It is the most significant phase of the process. The applicant will be required to submit a sample of the TV set to a testing laboratory that is BIS-recognized and accredited. The testing laboratory will conduct all the tests as outlined in IS 616:2017. Test results are the primary basis for the decision by the BIS.
• Uploading of Test Report and Documents: Once testing is completed and the product is cleared of all safety parameters, a formal test report is provided by the test laboratory. The applicant needs to upload the report on the BIS portal and other supporting documents, such as technical data sheets and circuit diagrams.
• Scrutiny and Inspection of Application: BIS officers thoroughly examine the application made along with the test report. They verify the documents and confirm the correctness of the information provided. In case any discrepancies or deficiencies are found, they request clarification or reject the application.
• Grant of Registration: Once the review is effectively carried out and documented in hand, BIS grants a specific Registration Number for the specific model of TV. It is a legal stamp of approval of the sale of the product in India and is required to be printed on the product itself.

Such a streamlined process allows manufacturers to get their products to market faster without affecting consumer safety.

How the Bureau of Indian Standards Operates for BIS Registration for Television Sets

The Bureau of Indian Standards is India's national standards organization, and it has a particular mandate to prescribe, enforce, and administer quality and safety standards for numerous varieties of products. Its firm foundation lies in a series of strong pillars to control the market and protect the consumer efficiently. The key activities of the BIS are:

• Standard Formulation: BIS functions through a widespread network of technical committees made up of experts across different disciplines. Technical committees formulate new standards and update existing ones from time to time so that they align with the latest technology. This makes standards such as IS 616:2017 current and applicable.
• Product Certification: The BIS scheme of product certification provides a third-party guarantee of the quality and safety of a product. For electronics, the Compulsory Registration Scheme does that, and the BIS Registration Number is proof of conformity. This ensures greater consumer confidence and trust.
• Laboratory Infrastructure: BIS has its own chain of laboratories and also recognizes a very large number of accredited third-party test laboratories. The laboratories need to perform unbiased and fair testing of the product samples.
• Surveillance: BIS maintains ongoing market surveillance after a product has been registered. They pick up products at random from the marketplace and retest them in their laboratories to verify whether quality is being maintained or not. A non-conforming product may have extremely negative impacts on the manufacturer.
• Enforcement: BIS can initiate stern legal action against the manufacturers that misuse the BIS mark or Registration Number, i.e., penalties and, in extreme circumstances, revocation or suspension of the registration.

This sort of synergy enables BIS to enjoy the best quality control level and protect consumer interests.

Compliances After BIS Registration for Television Sets

BIS registration is a periodic process. There are several ongoing compliances that the manufacturer must fulfill in order to maintain the registration in force.

• Accurate Marking: The manufacturer must place the BIS standard mark together with the Individual Registration Number on the product, packaging, and user manual accurately.
• Quality Standards Maintenance: The responsibility of the manufacturer is to make sure every television set produced or imported periodically always satisfies the specifications of IS 616:2017. Any modification in the product design must be brought to the notice of BIS.
• Surveillance: Surveillance is conducted by BIS using market sampling. They are able to choose an item from the marketplace and retest it.
• Renewal of Registration: BIS registration is a time-bound registration (typically two years) and needs to be updated in a timely manner.
• Record Keeping: The manufacturer will need to maintain extremely accurate records of batches manufactured and internal test reports.

BIS Registration for Television Sets is a significant mode of consumer protection and market integrity in India. A thorough process, as it is, is a step that ensures the quality and safety of electronic appliances. For manufacturers and importers, BIS registration not only acts as a regulatory step but also as a symbol of reliability and trust. It allows them to sell their product without any doubt, acquire a strong competitive edge, and maintain smooth business operations. By allowing them to do it with an effort and adhering to the customary compliances, companies can not just comply with the law but also contribute to creating a secure and more-trust-based market for buyers.