BIS CRS Registration in India

If you manufacture, import or sell electronics and IT products in India, BIS CRS registration is the gate you must clear first. The Compulsory Registration Scheme makes safety testing against Indian Standards mandatory for a growing list of covered goods, and placing an unregistered product on the market is simply not permitted. Here is how the scheme works and what registration actually involves.

What is BIS CRS registration?

The Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) is a conformity assessment scheme run by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It was introduced in 2012, in coordination with the then Department of Electronics & Information Technology, to improve the safety and quality of electronics and IT products sold in India. Its legal basis is the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012, issued by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).

The scheme began with 15 product categories and was expanded in 2014, 2017 and 2020, with additional requirements such as language support for mobile phones (2016) and satellite digital television receivers (2023). Registration is based on the manufacturer's self-declaration of conformity: once BIS is satisfied, it grants a licence to use the CRS Standard Mark carrying a unique "R" number. A covered product cannot be manufactured, sold, imported or distributed in India without this registration and mark. Parallel orders cover other sectors too, issued by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (five solar PV products), the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers (certain chemicals) and the Ministry of Textiles (cotton bales).

Who needs it?

• Indian manufacturers – any company with a manufacturing facility inside India making a covered product.
• Foreign manufacturers – any company with a facility outside India whose covered products are sold into the Indian market.
• Importers and brand owners – in practice, anyone placing covered products on the Indian market is affected, since the goods cannot clear import or retail without a valid registration.

In every case, registration is approved only after the product has been tested at a BIS-recognized laboratory.

Products and standards covered

The scheme now spans more than 60 product categories, each mapped to a specific Indian Standard (IS). A few representative examples:

This is only a sample. Many more products are covered, including thin-film PV modules (IS 16077) and television sets (IS 18112:2022), and the list is expanded periodically, so always verify your specific product against the current BIS schedule.

The registration process

1. Identify the applicable Indian Standard – confirm which IS your product falls under and whether it is within the scope of CRS.
2. Test at a BIS-recognized laboratory – submit samples and obtain the test report confirming conformity.
3. Apply online – file the application on the BIS portal with the test report, business registration proof, manufacturing details and a declaration of conformity.
4. BIS verification and grant – BIS reviews the application and, if satisfied, grants the licence to use the Standard Mark.

Documents required

The paperwork differs slightly for Indian and foreign applicants.

Indian manufacturers typically provide:

• Company trademark certificate
• GST certificate
• Completed application form
• Product model number
• Critical Component List (CCL)
• KYC of the authorized representative (PAN, Aadhaar, mobile and email)

Foreign manufacturers typically provide:

• Trademark certificate
• Business licence of the manufacturer
• Completed application form
• Product model number
• Critical Component List (CCL)
• Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) documents, including the AIR's GST certificate and KYC

Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR): a person or entity based in India who holds the licence liabilities within the country. This is not optional. Without an AIR, a foreign manufacturer cannot hold a CRS registration.

Timeline and validity

• Grant – where the documents and test report are correct, the licence is usually issued within about 20 days of application.
• Deficiencies – if a deficiency is raised and not rectified within 30 days, BIS may issue a rejection.
• Validity – the licence is valid for a minimum of 2 years.
• Renewal – renewal can be applied for up to 90 days before expiry, and the registration lapses if the renewal application and fee are not received in time.

Fees (indicative)

The following figures give a rough sense of the cost of a new application. Actual amounts vary by product group and by the testing laboratory.

MSME applicants may receive discounts of 80% (micro), 50% (small) and 20% (medium), while foreign manufacturers are treated as large-scale and do not receive the MSME discount. These figures are indicative only and must be verified against current BIS fee notifications, as they are revised periodically.

Why it matters

• Safety and compliance – registration demonstrates that your product meets the relevant Indian Standards.
• Trust and credibility – the CRS mark reassures customers and distributors that the product has been independently tested.
• Legal market access – without it, the product cannot be manufactured, imported, sold or distributed in India.
• Competitive advantage – a registered product stands apart from non-compliant goods and clears retail and e-commerce listing checks.

This page is general information and not legal advice. Standards, fees, timelines and product lists are set by BIS and revised periodically; always verify against the official BIS notifications or consult our team before acting.