Comprehensive Guide to BIS Certification Under Omnibus Technical Regulation (OTR) for Machinery and Electrical Equipment

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced a streamlined certification process for machinery and electrical equipment under the Omnibus Technical Regulation (OTR). This regulation, notified by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, aims to ensure safety compliance and standardization across industries. Here’s a detailed guide to help manufacturers navigate the certification process.

What is the Omnibus Technical Regulation (OTR)?

The OTR was notified on 28th August 2024, with an amendment order issued on 12th June 2025. It is set to come into force on 1st September 2026. The regulation applies to machinery and electrical equipment listed in the 1st Schedule of the OTR. However, it excludes:

Exports
Construction equipment covered under CMVR Rules (by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways)
Goods covered under QCO orders issued under the BIS Act

The regulation categorizes standards into Type A, Type B, and Type C, each addressing different safety aspects:

Type A Standards: General principles for design and risk reduction (e.g., IS 16819:2018/ISO 12100:2010).
Type B Standards: Generic safety standards for specific safety aspects or safeguards.
Type C Standards: Detailed safety requirements for specific machines or groups of machines.

Steps for BIS Certification

1. Prior Registration

Manufacturers must register their details, including:

Name, address (factory & office), PAN, GST
Contact details (email, phone number)
Management and authorized personnel information
Specific details of machinery and electrical equipment listed in the 1st Schedule of OTR

Registration can be completed online via the ManakOnline portal: manakonline.in/MANAK/ConformityAssessment.

2. Certification Application

Manufacturers can apply for:

Licence to use BIS Standard Mark (for continuous production)
Certificate of Conformity (CoC) (for specific lots or batches)

The application requires submission of a Technical File, which includes:

Product description
Traceability information
Design drawings
Compliance reports
Quality assurance details
Manufacturing process
Usage instructions
Raw materials and other requirements

3. Selection of Standards 

Manufacturers must select applicable standards based on the type of machinery:

Type A Standards: Basic safety principles
Type B Standards: Generic safety aspects (e.g., safety distances, emergency stops, guards)
Type C Standards: Machine-specific safety requirements (e.g., IS 17253 (Part 1):2024/ISO 16090-1:2022)

4. Certification Process

The certification process involves:

Desk Audit: Review of standards, risk assessment, and compliance reports.
Site Audit: Demonstration of safety compliance.
Licence Validity: 3 to 6 years, followed by renewals.
CoC Validity: One-time production with no renewal.

Procedural guidelines are available on the BIS website: http://www.bis.gov.in.

Fee Structure

The fee structure under Scheme-X is as follows:

Application fee: ₹2,000
Certification fee for licence: ₹25,000/year
Certification fee for CoC: ₹10,000
Review of technical file: ₹20,000/file
Inspection fees: ₹20,000/manday

Incentives are available for priority sectors:

Micro scale/start-ups: 80% fee reduction
Small scale units: 50% fee reduction
Medium scale units: 20% fee reduction
Additional 10% for Women MSMEs or units in North-East areas

Guidance for Manufacturers 

BIS provides machine-specific guidelines for four categories:

Metal cutting machines
Machinery for working with rubber and plastic
DBOs
Semi-conductor power inverters

These guidelines include:

Machine-specific requirements for the technical file
Series/grouping guidelines for licence scope
Labelling and marking requirements

Using the ManakOnline Portal 

The ManakOnline portal simplifies the registration and certification process. Key features include:

Organization profile setup
Submission of registration applications
Uploading technical files
Selection of standards

Manufacturers can declare families of models, with the lead model representing the highest risk and employing maximum safety features. For standalone models, individual technical files must be submitted.

Conclusion

The BIS certification process under the OTR regulation is a significant step toward ensuring safety and standardization in machinery and electrical equipment. By following the outlined steps and leveraging the ManakOnline portal, manufacturers can achieve compliance efficiently.

In case you face any issues related to Indirect Tax-Customs, GST, Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), Arbitration matters and Central Licensing and related advisory matters in India then please feel free to get in touch with SJ EXIM Services.

We offer Legal advice and litigation support in matters related to Indirect Tax-Customs, FTP, other Indirect Tax matters & Arbitration law, all sorts of Central licensing and related matters. Come and explore the new way of doing business with us!

Source: MHI, BIS

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