Overview of BIS Certificate for Wireless Microphone

BIS registration for wireless microphone is mandatory as per the BIS requirement. BIS i.e the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which is India's national standards organization formed to offer the consumer confidence in product quality, safety, and reliability. A wireless microphone is a type of microphone that transmits audio signals without using a physical cable, typically via radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth technology, to a receiver connected to a sound system. It allows users greater mobility and convenience, making it widely used in events, performances, conferences, broadcasting, and public speaking.

BIS registration for wireless microphone is not voluntary but obligatory and statutory registration. It is controlled under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Wireless microphones, as an electrical good, fall under this list of goods. From the date of introduction of this scheme onwards, it has been prohibited to manufacture, export, or sell wireless microphones in the Indian market without BIS marking. The primary reason for imposing this requirement is to protect the consumers from risky or sub-standard products and thus ensure that all such appliances are suitable according to national quality and safety standards.

Safety Features under the BIS standard: IS 616:2017

The closest Indian Standard to wireless microphones is IS 616:2017, Safety of household and similar electrical appliances, Particular requirements for mains-operated electronic apparatus. This standard comes in handy in the context that it specifies the particular technical and safety conditions that wireless microphones must meet to become compliant. The standard includes a wide range of safety features, some of which include but are not limited to:

• Electrical safety: Product testing to ensure it is properly insulated and shock hazard-free.
• Mechanical stability: Structurally stabilizing the device to prevent breakdown or injury by accident.
• Fire resistance: Fire-resistance testing of materials as per their capacity to withstand fire.
• Environmental stress: Testing for suitability in various environmental conditions, like temperature and humidity.
• Marking and instructions: Mark the product with all information needed for safe use.

Procedure to Get BIS Registration for Wireless Microphone 

Step by step procedure to get BIS registration for the wireless microphone is given below: 

Procedure For Domestic Manufacturers 

• Testing of the product: The first and most vital thing is to get the wireless microphone samples sent to a BIS-certified laboratory for testing. The product will be tested very carefully as per the mandate of IS 616:2017. The laboratory test report is the foundation of the whole application. It should be mentioned that the validity of the laboratory test report is 90 days, i.e., the online application should be furnished with BIS within 90 days.
• Online Application Submission: Once the product has gone through all the tests and a test report is ready, the manufacturer must submit an application for registration on the online portal of the BIS. This is achieved by applying for the complete application form with information about the manufacturer, the product, and the technical specifications.
• Document Compilation: Apart from the online application, a whole set of documents has to be compiled and sent. The documents are for confirmation of the manufacturer's identity, product information, and adherence to the standards. 

• Examination of Application: BIS officers should examine the application and documents for accuracy and completeness once they receive them. They may ask questions or seek clarification if any information is incomplete or unclear. These questions should be answered quickly so that there is no delay.
• Grant of Registration: Once the validation and authorization of all documents, as well as the test report, are completed, the registration is granted by BIS. The product receives a unique Registration Number (which normally starts with "R-"), which needs to be put on the product as well as the packaging. This "R-number" is the actual evidence of conformity.

Procedure for Foreign Manufacturer

• Appointment of an AIR: The foreign manufacturer has to first formally appoint an AIR in India via a power of attorney or nomination letter.
• Testing of Products: Similar to the local manufacturers, the product samples also need to be submitted to an India-based laboratory recognized by BIS for testing. Procurement of the test report is a prerequisite for processing the application.
• Submission Online: Submission is online through the BIS portal, but prepared and processed by the employed AIR.
• Document Submission: It is the AIR's duty to collect and submit all the documents required. Both the foreign manufacturer (ISO certificate, business license, etc.) and the AIR (photo ID, company registration, etc.) must be submitted. Foreign documents must be duly notarized and authenticated.
• Verification and Grant of Registration: The application is checked by BIS officials, as a reference to the AIR for any clarity. Satisfied, the registration is granted to the foreign manufacturer, not the AIR, and the specific "R-number" is granted for the product.

Appointment of AIR 

International producers have a slightly different, but equally rigorous, procedure. The major difference is in having to appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR). The AIR is the primary interface between the foreign manufacturer and BIS. The AIR must be an Indian firm or individual who is legally accountable for the conformity of the product in India. The AIR's duties include:

• Acting as the formal liaison with BIS on behalf of the foreign manufacturer.
• Assisting in collecting and filing all paperwork.
• Representing the company during the application stage and after the certification process.
• Being a law-abiding citizen by ensuring the product conforms to Indian standards.

Documents for BIS Registration for the Wireless Microphone

Some of the key documents which are required in order to get BIS registration of the wireless microphone are given below: 

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

Benefits of BIS Registration for Wireless Microphones

Below mentioned are the benefits of BIS Registration for Wireless Microphones

• Ensures the wireless microphone complies with Indian technical and safety requirements.
• Certification indicates the product is trustworthy and safe for use.
• Mandatory for retailing in large stores and online shopping sites in India
• Ensures the device conforms to EMI/EMC standards, which will not interfere with other devices.
• Enhances your brand image as a quality-focused and compliant manufacturer.
• Assists in differentiating from non-certified or low-quality products in a competitive marketplace.
• BIS compliance can assist in fulfilling certain overseas standards, facilitating exports

Tips for Obtaining BIS Registration for Wireless Microphones

The key requirements must be adhered to for a smooth and successful registration.

• One Product, One License: Even though multiple versions of a given wireless microphone family may be adopted under one registration (if they share the same key characteristics and safety design), a distinct product category should have a distinct license. For example, wireless headphones and wireless microphones would both require separate registrations.
• Separate License for Place: In case the factory manufactures the same thing at more than one place of the factory, each place of the factory should have a separate BIS license.
• Single License per Brand: A separate BIS license for every brand or trademark of the product is necessary.
• Accurate Marking: The BIS Standard Mark and the specific "R-number" have to be clearly and boldly marked on the actual product and on the packaging of the product.
• Renewal: BIS registration is not permanent. It is a two-year registration and has to be renewed by way of filing a fresh application, a fresh test report, and a production report before expiration.
• Penalty for Non-Compliance: The legal sanctions for selling non-certified goods are rigorous. They form a maximum of five times the value of the fine on products, imprisonment, confiscation of products from trade, and a ban on sale.

BIS Registration for Wireless Microphone is a mandatory and obligatory requirement for each and every individual trading in the wireless microphone business in India. The procedure, though tedious, is an effective tool to ensure public safety and the quality of the product. Following the IS 616:2017 standard and abiding by the stipulated processes, importers and manufacturers achieve rightful entry into the Indian market while also improving consumer trust and confidence in their goods, which differentiates them in the competitive marketplace.