We have come a long way from those early, pixelated games to electronic video games. Electronic video games, also referred to as computer games, are interactive games played on electronic devices using input tools such as joysticks, controllers, or keyboards. These games provide visual feedback through a display screen, allowing players to engage with the game environment in real time. In such an era safety is really important, hence BIS registration for electronic video games is a mandate. 

Considering such games being so popular among everyone, and children in particular, the Government of India and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) included electronic video games under the BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) during July 2013. This makes electronic video games capable of registering according to IS 616:2017 so that they can check if they are complying with the safety standards or not. 

Basic Requirements of BIS Registration for Electronic Video Games

For a manufacturer to possess a BIS registration in India, four rigorous requirements are there and without them, no application for BIS registration for electronic video games will proceed:

• Manufacturer

Licences are granted only by BIS to manufacturers and not importers or traders. Though an importer can be a foreign manufacturer's Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) for filing applications on his behalf. And lastly, the license is granted only in the manufacturer's name.

• Manufacturing Address

The individual manufacturing name should be named properly in the books of accounts. When a product is being produced in more than one factory, the individual factory must be individually granted a BIS license.

• Product

A new product will have a separate license. But when there are two or more models within one category of product, they may be grouped under one license number.

• Brand/Trademark

If the product is marketed under two or more brand names or trademarks, separate brands would require separate BIS licences.

Procedure for BIS Registration for Electronic Video Games

The BIS registration process for electronic video games differs based on manufacturing location. The BIS registration process is different for foreign and Indian manufacturers as follow: 

Foreign Manufacturer Procedure

• Make an appointment with an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) who will represent BIS in India.
• Online application via the BIS portal.
• Approach an accepted test laboratory of BIS for product sample testing.
• Submit a complete application (hard copy or online) along with a sample test report.
• Relevant reports and documents are screened and verified by BIS officials.
• In case of successful screening, BIS issues the licence.

Instructions for Nomination of Authorized Indian Representative (AIR)

For overseas manufacturers willing to sell in India, the appointment of an AIR is required. The AIR will receive the application and follow up on BIS inquiries. Here's how to do it:

• Clause 1:If a foreign manufacturer already has a liaison or a branch office in India, that office shall be the AIR.

• Clause 2:If there is no liaison office or branch office in India, but the trademark/brand owner or registered user is present in India, then he/she will be the AIR.

• Clause 3:In case there is neither the manufacturer nor the brand owner with an existence within India, then the foreign manufacturer will designate some other suitable entity as the AIR.

Domestic Manufacturer Process

• File online.
• Have the product samples tested by a BIS-authorizing laboratory.
• File the entire application and test report.
• BIS checks and verifies documents and test reports.
• License is granted on approval.

Documents Required for BIS Certification for Electronic Video Games

For BIS registration for electronic video games, the following needs to be prepared and submitted:

• Completed Construction Data Form (CDF) and Critical Component List (CCL)
• Completed BIS application form
• Business licence of manufacturing unit (English and local language)
• Business category of business licence (English and local language)
• ISO certificate of the manufacturer
• Marking information or a product marking label
• Letter of authorisation (if someone other than the company head signs)
• Trademark certificate
• Trademark permission letter (if the manufacturer does not hold the trademark)
• Certificate of AIR company registration in India (foreign applicants)
• AIR/authorised signatory photo ID
• Product technical specification sheet or user manual

How the Bureau of Indian Standards Functions? 

Bureau of Indian standards functions as follows: 

• Company enrollment on the bureau portal: Firstly, the company enrolls itself by creating an account and registering with its details on the official online portal of BIS to initiate the certification process.
• Document checking: The BIS team scrutinizes all the documents forwarded to them with extreme caution to make sure they are complete, accurate, and up to the mark.
• Product testing and model registration: Product samples are sent for testing by BIS-recognized test labs. Following the test, all conforming models are formally registered.
• Online/offline submission of documents: The whole set of documents required and test reports are also filed by the applicant either through the website or the postal service by hard copy.
•  Bureau examination and clearance: BIS officials finally scrutinize the application, test reports, and documents thoroughly. Once they confirm that all of them are correct, the bureau releases the BIS registration certificate.

Points to Remember while Obtaining BIS Registration Online 

One must kept the following points while obtaining BIS registration online for electronic video games in India: 

• Select a laboratory that is BIS-approved and has a compliance expert partner in case you do not have local insight.
• Ensure that the laboratory licence is valid, not suspended, and not under audit when testing is carried out.
• Make available sufficient means of sample transport to the laboratory.
• All documents must be signed properly by the manufacturer, brand owner, and AIR, stamped, and notarized.
• Complete the Construction Data Form and Critical Component List properly with full details.
• Forward the BIS test report within 90 days from the date of issue; otherwise, the product shall be retested.
• Prepare and make all documents ready before sending product samples for inspection.
• On submission, BIS registers within 15 days but can take 30–60 days in some cases.

BIS registration for electronic video games is given as per IS 616:2017. It ensures product safety and compliance for India's burgeoning gaming industry. Get the BIS certification process right, being super cautious about having the documents ready and getting the right compliance partner, and it can be a walk in the park with your product's smooth landing in the Indian market.