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Dated: 21.07.2025
BIS Certification Guidelines for Metal Cutting Machines under OTR 2024
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced machine-specific guidelines under Scheme-X of the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018, for granting BIS Certification and Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to Metal Cutting Machines. These guidelines derive their legal foundation from the Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulations) Order, 2024 (OTR 2024) and aim to streamline safety and compliance in the machinery sector.
Legal Framework & Applicability
The guidelines are framed under:
- The BIS Act, 2016
- BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 – Scheme-X
- Machinery and Electrical Equipment Safety (Omnibus Technical Regulations) Order, 2024
These apply specifically to “Metal Cutting Machines”, listed at Sl. No. 10 of the Third Schedule of the OTR 2024, including:
- Milling Machines
- Electro-Discharge Machines (EDMs)
- Turning Machines
- Presses
- Sawing Machines for Cold Metal
The document was issued by CMD-III, BIS, dated 16 July 2025.
Objective
- Ensure uniform implementation of safety compliance and certification
- Promote standardized documentation and technical file submission
- Align Indian machinery safety requirements with international best practices like ISO 12100, ISO 16090, ISO 23125, etc.
- Facilitate ease of doing business by grouping machine models under family-based evaluation
Certification Pathways
1. Grant of Licence (GoL)
For manufacturers producing Metal Cutting Machines on a continuous basis.
2. Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
For machines not manufactured continuously but requiring batch-wise or custom production certification.
Each pathway mandates submission of a Technical File and Risk Assessment aligned with the applicable Indian and ISO Standards.
Technical File Requirements
Every applicant must submit a machine-specific Technical File that includes:
- Applicable Indian and ISO Standards
- Compliance reports and test records
- Risk Assessment Sheet
- Safety-related Parts of Control Systems (SRP/CS) based on ISO 13849-1
- Details of lead model and other family models (where applicable)
Applicable Standards:
- Type A: IS 16819:2018 / ISO 12100:2010 – General safety & risk reduction
- Type B: Standards for specific safety functions (from Second Schedule)
- Type C: Product-specific standards (from Third Schedule)
If no Type C standard is notified, the machine must comply with Type A & B standards. Manufacturers can propose partial Type C compliance for evaluation.
Machine Grouping: Family Models & Lead Model
To optimize the certification process:
- Manufacturer must declare all models
- Identify a “Family of Models” sharing similar risks and designs
- Select a “Lead Model” with the highest risk for technical scrutiny
- Submit a combined technical file for the family with detailed compliance for the lead model
This reduces redundancy and enhances efficiency in certification while ensuring safety.
Risk Assessment & Checklists
BIS has released suggestive evaluation checklists for each machine type to guide manufacturers in preparing their technical documentation. These include:
| Machine Type | Standard Reference | Checklist Annexure |
| Electro-Discharge Machines | IS 17259 / ISO 28881 | Annexure-1 |
| Milling / Machining Centres | IS 17253 Part 1 / ISO 16090-1 | Annexure-2 |
| Presses | IS 17277 Part 1 / ISO 16092-1 | Annexure-3 |
| Turning Machines | IS 17258 / ISO 23125 | Annexure-4 |
| Sawing Machines (Cold Metal) | IS 17254 / ISO 16093 | Annexure-5 |
Each checklist evaluates hazards like:
- Mechanical & electrical risks
- Thermal & radiation hazards
- Ergonomic factors
- Environmental conditions
Manufacturers must identify all risks, adopt protective measures (design-based, interlocks, markings), and provide evidence of compliance.
Labelling & Marking Requirements
Every machine must:
- Affix the BIS Standard Mark (CM/L)
- Include safety labels and pictograms as per applicable Indian Standards
- Provide user instructions in English
- Display model, serial number, batch info, date of manufacture
Machines must also comply with marking requirements specified in the corresponding Type C standard, if applicable.
Scope of Licence vs. CoC – Explained
| Aspect | Licence (GoL) | Certificate of Conformity (CoC) |
| Applicability | Continuous production | One-time or batch-wise manufacture |
| Technical File | Required for each type and model or family | Required for each batch or lot |
| Product Series | Covers multiple family models | Covers specified lot/batch numbers |
| Validity | Ongoing | Specific to declared batch |
| Identification | CM/L Number | CoC Number with batch/serial/date details |
Example – Scope of Licence (Annexure)
| Machine Type | Lead Model | Covered Models | Standards Applied |
| EDM | EDM-1-1 | EDM-1-2, EDM-1-3 | IS 16819 + IS 17259 / ISO 28881 |
| Milling Machine | MM-1-1 | MM-1-2, MM-1-3 | IS 16819 + IS 17253 / ISO 16090-1 |
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory BIS certification under OTR 2024 is now in effect for all Metal Cutting Machines.
- Manufacturers must adopt a risk-based approach and comply with machine-specific Indian Standards.
- BIS has offered flexibility through family-based certifications, but strict technical documentation and risk mitigation is essential.
- The guidelines enforce global-standard safety norms while offering Indian manufacturers a competitive compliance pathway.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 BIS Machinery Guidelines for Metal Cutting Machines aim to modernize India’s industrial safety landscape.
This regulatory upgrade ensures that machinery being manufactured, imported, or used in India is safe by design, tested rigorously, and traceable via certification. As India moves toward aligning with international standards, these guidelines will also support export readiness, quality assurance, and legal defensibility in case of compliance disputes.
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Source: BIS
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