How BIS is Supporting Startups with Standardization Services

In today’s competitive business world, startups face numerous challenges. From creating innovative products to building trust among consumers, the journey can be daunting. One key area where startups can gain a competitive edge is through compliance with quality standards.

In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) plays a vital role in helping businesses, including startups, meet these standards. This blog explores how BIS supports startups with its standardization services, focusing on certifications like BIS CRS certificate, BIS certification for toys, and BIS FMCS certification.

What is BIS?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is a national body that develops and enforces standards for products, systems, and services in India. Established in 1986, BIS aims to ensure the quality, safety, and reliability of products available in the market.

For startups, adhering to BIS standards means their products meet recognized quality and safety parameters, which builds trust with consumers and investors alike.

Why is Standardization Important for Startups?

Startups operate in a fast-paced environment where they must constantly prove themselves. Here’s how standardization can help them:

Builds Credibility: BIS certification acts as proof of quality, making it easier to gain consumer trust.

Enables Market Access: Certain products cannot be sold in India without BIS certification, such as toys and electronics.

Facilitates Global Trade: BIS-compliant products are more likely to meet international standards, making exports easier.

Reduces Costs: Standardized products often face fewer quality issues, leading to lower costs in the long run.

Supports Innovation: Adhering to standards ensures that innovative products are safe and reliable.

How BIS Supports Startups

1. Simplified Certification Process

BIS understands that startups may not have extensive resources or expertise to navigate complex processes. To address this, it offers a streamlined certification procedure.

Key Features for Startups:

User-friendly online application.

Clear guidelines for certifications like the BIS CRS certificate (Compulsory Registration Scheme), which applies to electronic goods.

Dedicated support teams to assist startups with queries.

2. Product Testing and Quality Assurance

For startups producing physical goods, ensuring product quality is crucial. BIS provides access to its testing laboratories, where products can be tested against set standards.

Startups can:

Test prototypes to ensure they meet BIS standards.

Use BIS-certified labs to validate product quality before launching in the market.

For example, startups creating toys can seek BIS certification for toys, which ensures the products are safe for children to use.

3. Access to National and International Standards

BIS offers startups access to a vast library of national and international standards. These documents serve as a roadmap for designing and manufacturing high-quality products. Startups can use these standards to:

Understand industry best practices.

Align their products with both domestic and global requirements.

Stay updated on changes in regulations.

For startups looking to export, the BIS FMCS certification (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme) ensures that products meet Indian standards, even if they are manufactured overseas.

4. Training and Capacity Building

BIS conducts regular training programs and workshops to educate startups about the importance of standardization. These sessions are designed to:

Help entrepreneurs understand the BIS certification process.

Teach technical details of specific standards.

Build awareness about the benefits of standardization.

5. Startup-Friendly Policies

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by startups, BIS has introduced initiatives to make standardization more accessible:

Reduced fees for micro and small enterprises.

Priority processing for startup applications.

Special assistance programs for innovative products requiring new standards.

6. Collaboration Opportunities

Startups working on cutting-edge technologies often face a lack of applicable standards. BIS collaborates with innovators to develop new standards that support emerging industries, such as: