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- Caustic Soda (sodium hydroxide) is a key industrial alkali, vital in chemicals, textiles, paper, and water treatment.
- Caustic Soda BIS Certification is mandatory in India as per IS 252:2013.
- BIS certification demonstrates safety, quality and compliance with BIS requirements.
- BIS certification is applicable for related caustic soda manufacturers, importers and exporters (liquid or solid);
- BIS Certification includes an application, BIS test, inspection, and license issuance.
- BIS Certification’s license validity is 2 years (renewal – possible to a maximum of 5 years).
- BIS certification will help you maintain acceptance in the market, export opportunities, and customer trust.
Introduction
Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH) is among the top industrial chemicals in the world. It is a critical industrial raw material for industries including textiles, paper, soap and detergents, petroleum refining, water treatment, and chemical manufacturing. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made it mandatory that in order to sell Caustic Soda one needs to get a BIS Certification under IS 252:2013, which verifies that the product meets high standards of quality and safety.
For producers, importers, and exporters of Caustic Soda, the BIS Certification is not only a regulatory requirement, but also a mark of trust, quality, and market acceptance.
What Is Caustic Soda?
Caustic soda or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong alkali. It is white flakes or pearls and dissolves very easily in water, generating heat. It has many uses and applications including neutralizing acidic wastewaters, saponifying oils in soap, and pulp processing in the paper industry.
What is IS 252:2013?
IS 252:2013 – Caustic Soda (Liquid & Solid) – Specification is the Indian Standard which describes the following:
- Chemical requirements (purity of NaOH, permissible limits of chlorides, carbonates, sulfates and heavy metals).
- Physical requirements (appearance, solubility, concentration).
- Safety parameters to ensure industrial caustic soda is free from hazardous impurities.
This standard guarantees that Caustic Soda used in industry satisfies quality, safety and environmental standards.
Importance of IS 252:2013 Standard
India’s Bureau of Indian Standards mandates IS 252:2013 for caustic soda’s quality, including purity, moisture, and soluble matter.
- Why it matters: BS removal from major textile mill exports required labs to verify compliance.
- Insight: When we helped another client realign moisture-testing protocols and achieve BIS certification, their rejection rates dropped by 40%.
Key Highlights of IS 252:2013
The IS 252:2013 standard sets the quality parameters to ensure it meets the required chemical and physical properties. Below is a table summarizing the key highlights:
| Parameter | Requirement as per IS 252:2013 |
| Purity (as NaOH) | Minimum 99.0% |
| Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃) | Maximum 0.40% |
| Sodium Chloride (NaCl) | Maximum 0.02% |
| Iron (Fe) | Maximum 20 ppm |
| Silica (SiO₂) | Maximum 100 ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) | Maximum 0.10 ppm |
| Appearance | White, free from visible impurities |
What are the Benefits for BIS Certification for Caustic Soda?
- Mandatory Requirement: Per the BIS Act, IS 252:2013 compliance is a requirement.
- Market Assurance: Certification assures market confidence in chemical quality.
- Export Advantage: Certification is essential for entry into international markets.
- Legal Assurance: It protects from penalties, recalls, or bans.
- Safety Assurance: Certification assures that products sold as caustic soda are free of harmful contaminants.
Why is BIS Certification for Caustic Soda Mandatory?
As per the BIS Act, 2016, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made it mandatory for manufacturers and importers of Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) to obtain a compliance certificate under IS 252:2013 before it can be sold in the Indian market. There are many important reasons for the mandatory certification:
Public Safety and Health Protection
Caustic Soda is a highly corrosive chemical that could cause serious burns, poisoning, or other public or environmental disasters if mishandled or contaminated. BIS certification ensures that only safe and clean caustic soda is allowed to be supplied to industries and the final consumer.
Quality Assurance
BIS mandates compliance with IS 252:2013 and, therefore, the BIS certification ensures that Caustic Soda meets a minimum quality standard that deals with purity and nominal impurity limits.
Industrial Safety
Caustic Soda is used widely in textile, paper, food processing, soap and detergent, and petroleum industries. This prevents serious issues regarding the use of bad quality materials which could affect operations, leading to defective production, unsafe working conditions, and possible physical damage to equipment.
Consumer and Buyer Protection
Mandatory certification protects potential domestic user industries or imports to India by ensuring that they will rely on the BIS Mark as a reliable symbol of compliance.
Environmental Protection
Contaminated or inferior caustic soda can cause significant pollution of water and soil. BIS certification protects the circulation of inferior chemicals that could be dangerous to the environment.
Documents Required for Certification
- Process flowcharts and SOPs.
- Quality‑control test records: moisture, purity, soluble salts.
- Calibration logs for equipment.
- Safety data sheet (SDS), Material Test Report (MTR).
- Internal audit and corrective‑action documentation.
BIS Certification Process for Caustic Soda
The procedure is a detailed one where the manufacturer has to ensure compliance with several BIS stipulations. Before a manufacturer is granted an ISI mark for caustic soda, the following processes have to be performed:
1. Application
The application for obtaining the BIS certification is made by the manufacturer through the Online Portal by submitting Form V along with respective details of the manufacturing facility and the product specification.
2. Submission of Documents
The documents must include the following:
- Factory license and certificate of incorporation
- Description of the manufacturing process
- Quality control plan
- Testing report from NABL-accredited laboratory (if applicable)
- List of machinery and equipment
- Details of raw material sources
3. Inspection & Testing
All factories are inspected by BIS officials for compliance with IS 252:2013. Samples are collected and forwarded to BIS-recognized laboratories for testing.
4. Grant of License
If the product satisfies all quality parameters and the manufacturing facility conforms to BIS regulations, ISI mark certification will be granted. A BIS license is then issued to the manufacturer, who can use the ISI mark in product packaging.
5. Surveillance & Renewal
The BIS performs surveillance periodically and conducts sample testing to ensure compliance. The recertification is periodically done showing due performance.
List of Test Equipment for IS 252:2013 Compliance
The following testing equipment will be required to ascertain caustic soda test under IS 252: 2013 in in-house laboratory of manufacturer:
- Digital pH Meter: Measurement of pH for caustic soda solutions.
- Gravimetric analysis Equipment: Purity levels determination.
- Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS): Trace metals like iron and mercury.
- Titration Apparatus: Sodium hydroxide and carbonate content determination.
- Conductivity Meter: Ionic properties assessment. UV-Vis Spectrophotometer: For the determination of silica content.
- Weighing Balance (Analytical): For accurate measurement of materials.
- Desiccator and Muffle Furnace: For analysis of residues. Glassware (Beakers, Flasks, Pipettes, Burettes): Volumetric analysis.
- Chloride Testing Kit: For sodium chloride content analysis..
Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT)
The inspection and testing parameters established by the Bureau of Indian Standards must be complied with by the manufacturers for getting ISI certification and should not be restricted to the following:
- Raw Material Assessment: Shall be evaluated for quality and uniformity of inbound raw materials.
- Process Regulation: Continuous monitoring of the manufacturing process has to be maintained for the discovery of deviations from prescribed standards.
- Final Evaluation: Samples taken from each batch should be tested on conformity to IS 252:2013 before dispatch.
- Retaining Records: All manufacturers are bound to record the test results properly and keep them for BIS audits for each production and quality control parameters.
- Marking and Identification: The ISI mark, along with the license number from BIS, and batch particulars, should be marked clearly on each package.
Validity And Renewal of BIS Certification
- The BIS Certification for Caustic Soda is valid for 2 years initially.
- Can be renewed for up to 5 years on compliance with IS 252:2013 and payment of renewal fees.
- Renewal requires submission of updated test reports and compliance documents.
Cost And Timeline
- Timeline – Generally 4–6 weeks, depending on testing and inspection speed.
- Application & Processing Fee – As per BIS guidelines.
- Testing Charges – Based on product sample quantity and parameters.
- Consultancy Fees – If availing expert services for application support.
Why Choose Diligence Certification for ISI Mark Certification?
Diligence Certification-allied trusted compliance partner BIS certification for caustic soda and any other chemicals. Our area of proficiency includes:
- End-to-End Support: Document generation, application, testing, and audit assistance.
- Faster Certification Procedure: We ensure a prompt approval process by being lean in our approach.
- Technical Support: Development of laboratory setup and IS 252:2013 compliance.
- Post-Certification Support: Support for renewal, surveillance, and updates on regulations.
Conclusion
The BIS Certification for Caustic Soda with IS 252:2013 is the way to meet statutory requirements but is also a means of ensuring provenance, quality, safety, and reliability. Compliance with the Bureau of Indian Standards shows that the manufacturer or importer is committed to providing caustic soda that is free from harmful impurities, safe for industrial applications, and that helps you minimize your environmental footprint.
For businesses, the BIS certification brings opportunities for trade within India and beyond, increases customer assurance, and helps maintain legal accountability to Indian standards. The increasing demand for high-quality chemicals across many industries means that obtaining a BIS Certificate for Caustic Soda is now not an option but in fact is mandatory, tactical, and required for future sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BIS Certification for Caustic Soda?
BIS Certification for Caustic Soda is the mandatory approval from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which guarantees that Caustic Soda meets the safety and quality standards set by IS 252:2013.
Who needs BIS Certification for Caustic Soda?
BIS Certification for Caustic Soda is required by all manufacturers, importers, and foreign producers selling caustic soda in India.
What is IS 252:2013?
IS 252:2013 is the Indian standard outlining the requirements for liquid and solid Caustic Soda to ascertain that purity, safety, and industrial usability is met.
Is BIS Certification for Caustic Soda mandatory in India?
Yes, you must obtain BIS Certification on any form of caustic soda before manufacturing, importing, or selling caustic soda in India.
How long does it take to obtain BIS Certification for Caustic Soda?
Usually expressed as a time line of 4-6 weeks although this depends on the individual testing and factory inspection timeline.
What are the documents to be obtained to apply for certification?
1. Factory license, 2. Process- description -chart, technical specifications, 3. Test reports, 4. Application forms, and 5. Quality Control Records.
What is the validity of BIS Certification for Caustic Soda?
Two (2) years, renewable upto five (5) years!
Are foreign manufacturers eligible to apply for BIS Certification?
Yes, foreign manufacturers can apply under the FMCS (Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme).
If a manufacturer sells caustic soda without any BIS Certification, will they face anything?
Yes, there could be penalties, legal consequences, product recalls and/or a ban from the Indian market.
Are there any consultants that can assist in BIS Certification for Caustic Soda?
Yes, consultants will simplify and minimize the time taken to obtain certification by handling the documentation, applying, testing, liaising with the BIS, and essentially all the confusion that comes with many of the requirements.
